It is a strange sight: a piece of farm equipment moving down rows of vines with no one behind the wheel. But this equipment is the future of farming, and it’s already here on Long Island. Paumanok Vineyards (1074 Main Road, Aquebogue) has been running the all-electric, US-made Monarch MK-V tractor since July, adding the zero-emission machine to its sustainability efforts.
“We are a certified sustainable vineyard, as are many others on Long Island,” says Paumanok winemaker Kareem Massoud. “I have been an advocate that it should begin to include more than just vineyard practices. It should include things like this, reducing your dependency on fossil fuels by implementing renewable energy systems and using electric vehicles, and now electric tractors.”
The tractor is capable of performing all the tasks of its comparably sized diesel counterpart, without the fumes, noise and maintenance, making it a much more environmentally friendly option. The zero-emissions factor results in an annual carbon abatement equivalent to approximately 14 cars.
“With an electric tractor, it’s very similar, [but there are] not nearly as many moving parts. It doesn’t require an oil change,” says Massoud. “It has better torque. And this tractor can do all the things that you can do with the diesel tractor that it replaces. The big difference is that it burns no diesel, and it’s effectively powered by the sun [because the vineyard is solar-powered]. So the idea was just to begin to decarbonize our operation. This is the first tractor, but over time, we hope to see our whole fleet of tractors become less reliant on diesel.”
The biggest factor complicating early adoption may well be the price; the initial cost of the MK-V is around $89,000, twice as much as an equally capable traditional tractor. The charger is an additional fee, as is the transmitter and monthly subscription for the autonomous operation.
However, the total cost of operation for an electric tractor may be significantly less than a traditional one. According to Interact Analysis, if a compact tractor is used for 1,000 hours per year, this might equate to an annual fuel bill of $2,000 at a price of $5/gallon. By comparison, it would cost around $800 per year to charge at $0.1/kWh. And this is just the cost of fuel; the MK-V does not require oil changes or most other fluids.
There are also rebates and grant programs available at the state and federal level that can offset some of this cost. “We wanted to take delivery of one, just to test it out,” notes Massoud. “And financing definitely matters. Like electric vehicles, there’s some pretty attractive incentives for farmers to apply for various grants that can help.”
While the autonomous operation is still in beta testing, Monarch expects it to be available to the all users in 2025. This feature uses GPS to map a task, similar to how a robotic vacuum works. The signal is broadcast through a transmitter that can cover up to eight miles. The tractor uses its cameras to sense its proximity to obstacles — including people and animals — and stops, potentially making the autonomous setting safer than when being driven by an operator. There are a number of attachments available through Monarch’s manufacturing partnerships, including a push blade and front loader. The tractor is sold through Ag To Go, based in Rochester.
There have been challenges along the way, as is to be expected with new equipment of any type, not just electric models. Implements may need adapters or different connections to function. “You know, whenever you get a new implement for a tractor, there’s always a bit of a learning curve how to get it set up properly, to make it work properly, and that’s basically a standard reality, when you are using any tractor,” says Massoud.
Massoud, for his part, has been impressed by the MK-V thus far. “With something like this, you have pretty high expectations given the high price tag, and I think it delivers,” says Massoud. “For example, in order for Tesla to succeed as a car company, it had to produce electric cars that were at least as good or better than the gasoline powered cars it hoped to replace. And I think it is succeeding. And I think Monarch is basically the Tesla of agricultural tractors.”
