Former chairman of the board of the Volkswagen automobile concern, Herbert Diessannounced on the business social network LinkedIn the launch of a new business venture in the sector – agricultural machinery. Namely, he founded a company called Diess E-Agrartechnik AG in Munich with the aim of marketing an innovative electric tractor.
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Although the project does not yet have an official website at this stage, Diess revealed to the public the key technical guidelines of the future product. The main feature of the e-tractor will be the replaceable battery system, which is designed to allow users to work continuously 24 hours a day. With the ability to drive in two directions and full compatibility with all standard attachments such as mowers, loaders and winter equipment, the vehicle should become one of the most versatile on the market.
The first deliveries of this tractor, which is positioned in the middle segment and intended for farmers and communal services, are planned for 2027. The new company’s economic plans predict that the electric tractor will be completely competitive with similar diesel-powered vehicles from the very beginning of deliveries. At the same time, compared to traditional models, operating costs should be reduced by 50%.
The company’s long-term development plans go beyond the production of tractors themselves and include the development of accompanying battery stations, solar charging stations, electric tools and, ultimately, autonomous agricultural machines.
For Herbert Diess, work on the electrification of agricultural vehicles is not new, since he dealt with this topic during his mandate at Volkswagen. As part of VW’s GenFarm project, an electric tractor was developed for the Rwandan market, where it will be used from 2024. After leaving the top position at Volkswagen in 2022, Diess continued with intensive professional engagements. Since 2023, he has held the position of chairman of the Supervisory Board of the chip manufacturer Infineon, he is engaged in The Mobility House company, where he advocates the introduction of two-way charging, and at the same time manages an estate in Spain that includes a hotel, cattle breeding and a pear plantation.