Canterbury Farmer Builds on 160 Years of Dairy Legacy
Gareth Hale is the current custodian of a 160-year legacy that saw his great grandfather dairying in Taranaki since the mid-1850s and grandfather dairying in the Waikato from the early 1900s.
Said to have been developed for orchards, vineyards, vegetable and livestock farms, the format also addresses situations inside buildings where diesel emissions are not acceptable.
From the outset, the design brief was to deliver a unit that had the look and feel of a conventional 130hp (100kW) tractor, while delivering the benefits derived from an electric driveline, including instant torque, smooth acceleration, quietness, simple control and reduced maintenance.
Previewed at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025 in Las Vegas earlier this year, the manufacturer suggests that there will be a configurable offering of for cab type, axles and tyre equipment.
E-Power will be available with up to five Kreisel 39kWh batteries, offering several hours of light work, such as tedding, spraying or raking. Battery swaps are said to be quick and easy, with the company also developing a range of charging solutions.
Looking at outputs, 87kW of power is available at the PTO, and 82kW for the drivetrain. Said to be compatible with existing implements, the E Power tractor has the capability to provide off-board electricity for power tools at remote worksites. Multiple prototypes have been tested throughout 2025, with a plan for a limited number of models released by the end of 2027 in North America.
Deere & Company acquired majority ownership in Kreisel Electric in December 2021, an Austrian company that develops electric battery modules and packs, and a charging infrastructure platform.
Read More:
- John Deere unveils new 5EN narrow tractors for vineyards and orchards
- John Deere launches Harvest Profit in NZ & Australia
- John Deere launches next-generation round balers
