A new type of tractor is poised to make farming more sustainable. The T6 Methane Powered Tractor by New Holland Agriculture is a second-generation prototype and, as its name suggests, runs on methane.
From the outside it looks no different from the tractors commonly found in Europe and the US. A closer look, however, reveals a revolutionary technology that promises to change how farming is done.
The first advantage of using methane is its cost. Methane is 30% cheaper than diesel. Farms that produce their own biomethane can also expect to see their fuel expenses drop to zero, Business Insider noted. Biomethane is produced from organic waste, something farms have in abundance.
The second major advantage of using the T6 Methane Powered Tractor is its eco-friendliness. Since methane produces 80% less pollution, it is the perfect fuel of the future. Additionally, the prototype already fulfills future greenhouse gases targets which require a 20% reduction in all of Europe by 2020, Stackyard reported.
The prototype had been undergoing field trials at the La Bellotta farm in Venaria, Italy. "We are quite close to final development phase and almost ready for possible production," said Stefano Fiorati, project manager of New Holland's methane tractor program. If things go well, the T6 will be available for sale in five years' time, American Farm reported.
Luca Remmert of the 450-hectare (1,100-acre) La Bellotta farm says that the transformation of the farm from cattle to biofuel production was a good move. The energy that his farm generates is enough to power 10,000 households per year.
Byproducts from the biofuel fermentation also goes into fertilizing the fields. That alone presents 300,000 euros ($335,000) in chemical fertilizer savings. Remmert adds that carbon emissions saved from fossil fuels amounts to 4,000 tons per year.
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