CNH Industrial’s New Holland Agriculture has launched what it says is the world’s first LNG-powered tractor prototype.

In line with an announcement issued by CNH on Friday, the multinational agency unveiled the T7 Methane Energy LNG pre-production prototype tractor at its tech day occasion in Phoenix, Arizona, USA.

CNH says {that a} farm’s carbon footprint is a “main think about figuring out its sustainability” whereas farmers nonetheless “want highly effective tractors that may run across the clock”.

“Pure gasoline, and particularly biomethane, are presently the perfect options to ensure greater horsepower machine efficiency, whereas additionally decreasing emissions and lowering working prices,” it stated.

The T7 Methane Energy LNG would greater than double the autonomy in comparison with a CNG design while boosting total farm sustainability, CNH claims.

“Compared to the T6 Methane Energy CNG, this can be a fourfold improve in gasoline capability. LNG can also be a key facilitator for the enlargement of CNH Industrial’s broader future pure gasoline portfolio, notably in direction of bigger and heavier agricultural tools, in addition to building tools,” the agency stated.

With its 270hp, the T7 Methane Energy LNG pre-production prototype delivers the identical energy and torque as a diesel tractor whereas delivering autonomy with out the necessity for any further tanks, it stated.

CNH stated this premiere is step one in direction of serial manufacturing and commercialization of the world’s first LNG tractor, complementing New Holland’s present T6 Methane Energy and CNH Industrial’s wider different energy portfolio.

Partnership with Bennamann

To spearhead this newest growth, CNH stated it partnered with Bennamann, a UK-based knowledgeable in options to seize and repurpose fugitive methane emissions for vitality use.

Their work collectively started in March 2021, when CNH acquired a minority stake in Bennamann, its analysis, growth, engineering and manufacturing arm.

“Bennamann’s multi-patented method prevents methane from getting into the environment (methane is greater than 80 occasions extra dangerous to international warming than CO2 when measured over 20 years) by finally changing it into liquefied fugitive methane (LFM) to be used as a ‘higher than zero carbon’ biofuel,” the agency stated.

This answer can “considerably” cut back the carbon footprint of a mean dairy farm by stopping the direct emission of methane from slurry lagoons and tanks, in addition to offering a spread of further advantages, CNH claims.

These embrace lowering the usage of CO2 intensive chemical fertilizers, the displacement of fossil gasoline use in tractors, electrical energy technology and warmth provision, and a discount within the want for slurry spreading.

The CO2 discount for a 120-cow farm is probably equal to round 100 western households, in line with CNH.