Based in Northern California, Solectrac manufactures battery-electric tractors for agriculture and utilities. Those tractors make it possible for farmers to use the sun, wind or other clean, renewable energy sources to power essential machinery. The company’s mission is to provide farmers with independence from the pollution, infrastructure and price volatility associated with fossil fuels.
In April, we reported that the company had just completed a new 36,000 square foot factory in Windsor, California, just north of Santa Rosa. It was bought last year by Ideanomics, whose CEO, Alf Poor, told us, “EV tractors have proven to be superior to their diesel counterparts, not only in terms of torque and overall performance, but also in terms of running costs, reliability and the positive impact they have on the environment. They are also a disadvantaged segment of the market when it comes to EV initiatives. For those reasons, we are excited to… bring the Solectrac team into the Ideanomics family.”
New Solectrac Plant in North Carolina
This week, the company announced that it has partnered with Nolan Manufacturing to begin manufacturing its battery-electric tractors at a 10,000-square-foot facility in Denton, North Carolina, to meet demand for its products. That facility will manufacture the company’s Solectrac e25 electric tractor, with additional models planned for future production.
“As the demand for Solectrac electric tractors continues to grow, I am excited about our continued progress on the East Coast towards a more sustainable future and regenerative farming,” says Mani Iyer, CEO of Solectrac. “With a 10,000 square meter, 57 hectare production facility and three new buildings, we are rapidly ramping up production and can quickly deliver tractors to dealer partners and provide more efficient services to existing customers. As we reach full production capacity, we are focused on making hiring and training a top priority.”
Nolan Manufacturing has more than 50 dealers from Maryland to Georgia, with four equipment dealers in North Carolina. They are manufacturers of landscaping equipment and trailers with plans to expand production and distribution activities to include farm tractor implements, in addition to the distribution of Solectrac tractors.
“It’s exciting to be part of a partnership that will support Solectrac in meeting the growing demand for their tractors,” said Chris Biesecker, owner of Nolan Manufacturing. “Demand for Solectrac tractors is growing on the East Coast and we are proud to do our part by providing the market with the economical and environmentally friendly Solectrac tractor.” He has worked in equipment retailing for over 30 years and will oversee the day-to-day operations of Solectrac production.
Currently, Solectrac manufacturers the e70N electric tractor, which is designed as a narrow vehicle for handling and easy maneuverability in vineyards and other farming operations. According to electric, it also makes the e25 a versatile 4WD utility vehicle perfect for hobby farms, golf courses, sports fields, equestrian centers and municipalities, as well as the 40hp eUtility which the company says is the ideal tractor for any small farm or livestock farm, equestrian center or other kind of utility.
The takeaway
Farming is one of the most difficult professions there is, depending on so many factors beyond the farmer’s control. But all farmers agree on one thing: they need to maximize their return on the money they invest in equipment to support themselves. More and more farmers are discovering that electric farm machines not only have greater torque than their petrol or diesel-powered equivalents, they also cost much less to operate and maintain. They are also more reliable than conventional tractors, which is also an important factor.
Farmers usually live in rural areas – the same places where electric cars are viewed with a jaundiced eye, because the distances people have to travel are longer on average than in urban areas, and EV chargers are generally scarce. For those reasons, farmers may be hesitant to embrace the EV revolution when it comes to cars and trucks, but once they experience the benefits of electric tractors, they may be more open to the idea of driving an EV.
Anything that transports people or goods is part of the transport sector and anything that reduces emissions from that sector is a major step forward in preventing the earth from overheating to the point that crops of all kinds no longer grow in traditional agricultural areas. A Solectrac tractor is a foot in the door to help change farmers’ perceptions of electric vehicles. Watch the video below to learn more about the Solectrac e25.
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