by Former Volkswagen head launches tractor production
Former Volkswagen CEO Herbert Diess, who left his position in 2022, is back in the spotlight. This time he decided to follow in the footsteps of Lamborghini and venture into tractor manufacturing. In his LinkedIn post, he announced the creation of a new company called DIESS E-Agrartechnik AG, based in Munich.
Plans for 2027: an electric tractor with swappable batteries
The company plans to release a “revolutionary new mid-range electric tractor for farmers and municipal services” in 2027. The new model promises to be competitive with diesel tractors but with 50% lower operating costs. The DIESS tractor will also feature a swappable battery pack, allowing it to operate “24/7.”
The tractor promises to be one of the most versatile on the market and will be offered with a wide range of attachments, including mowers, loaders, and winter equipment. Diess noted that the model will be “of the highest quality,” despite an attractive price.
The former VW CEO asks: “Do you think my electric tractor is sexy?”
Future technologies and partnership
He also hinted at solar charging stations and autonomous operation in the future. The former automotive heavyweight also mentioned an unnamed partner, which is “an innovative, established agricultural machinery manufacturer.”
While more questions than answers remain for now, the tractor features an enclosed cab as well as massive tires. We can also see floating fenders, side steps, and seemingly U-shaped lighting units.
Connection to previous Volkswagen projects
Although this looks like an unexpected career move, Volkswagen launched the GenFarm project in 2021 under Diess’s leadership. It focused on electric tractors for Africa, and they share a number of features with the new model. This includes swappable batteries and solar charging, though both ideas are far from new.
VW GenFarm project
This move by Diess is a logical continuation of his vision of electrifying not only passenger cars but also specialized machinery. Agriculture is one of the sectors where electrification can bring significant savings and environmental benefits, especially in regions with high fuel costs. Swappable batteries address the key issue of long charging times, which is critical for farmers working around the clock. A partnership with an experienced agricultural machinery manufacturer could help Diess enter the market faster and avoid typical pitfalls for newcomers. It is worth noting that the electric tractor market is still in its early stages, and Diess’s success will depend on the ability to offer a product that is not only environmentally friendly but also practical and accessible to a wide range of farmers.
