Escorts Displays India’s First Hybrid Tractor with Better Mileage & Power

Escorts has showcased country’s first Hybrid Tractor, hybrid backhoe loader & multi-utility backhoe loader.  The company says that it is a proto type model and they will soon launch its production model. These tractors will run on diesel as well as on batteries. It will give better mileage and will also reduce pollution. There are three charging modes in this tractor, in which plug in hybrid mode is also available. Along with this, the company has also introduced two more tractors.

The company basically has launched a new series of tractors named as the New Escort Tractor Series. A total of three tractors have been introduced in this series. These tractors are electric, hydrostatic and rigid concept tractors

Power and Features

 This tractor produces a capacity of 75 horsepower but the tractor can be boosted up to 90 horsepower all credit goes to its hybrid drive train. It features four operating modes that feature both in diesel and electric power being used independently. This hybrid mode allows users to use both battery power as well as the diesel engine to drive the tractor.

Its ICE Direct mode uses power from just the diesel engine, the Battery electric mode turns the diesel engine off and uses the batteries to power up the vehicle and the third mode Plug-in mode enables charging the batteries from a wall socket power source.

The company has revealed these tractors on its annual innovation platform (‘Exclusive-2019'). The company added that these tractors can run on both battery and fuel. Hybrid vehicles use batteries and fuel to power the engine but electric vehicles only run with electric energy. Hybrid vehicles save upto 20 to 30 percent of fuel as compared to a common diesel or petrol vehicle.

Union Road and Transport Minister announced that the government may soon reduce the GST rate on hybrid vehicles. He also added that as the GST on electric vehicles has been reduced from 12 percent to 5 percent, the Finance Minister will be suggested to give these benefits on hybrid vehicles as well.