The internal combustion engine was a major technological breakthrough that enabled the development of mechanized and more sophisticated farm equipment, such as tractors, combine harvesters, and self-propelled plows. Before that, animal-drawn implements and hand-held tools were used to reduce labor in many farm tasks, laying the groundwork for early mechanization. The engine’s invention not only revolutionized transportation for people and goods, but it also reshaped agriculture. In 1892, John Froelich built the first gasoline-powered tractor in Iowa, capable of both forward and reverse propulsion, which ushered agriculture into a new era. A few decades later, Henry Ford’s mass production of the Fordson tractor made this innovation scalable and widely accessible, especially to small-scale farmers. What followed was a surge in agricultural inventions that steadily shifted farming from a largely labor-intensive endeavor to one increasingly driven by machines. 

The advancement of the automobile industry paralleled the rise of mechanized agriculture. With the growing prevalence of vehicles, especially by the 1950s, awareness also grew about the health and environmental impacts of leaded gasoline, prompting concern about its continued use. Geopolitical factors also played a role, particularly in the 1970s, when fuel shortages in the US triggered a push for greater energy independence through alternative solutions. Then came the 21st century, which saw the rise of electric vehicles (EVs), a shift also enabled by improvements in battery technology. While inventors had experimented with EVs as far back as the early 19th century, these early prototypes were limited by the technology of the time and were ultimately eclipsed by the mass production of gasoline-powered cars. But in recent years, the narrative has shifted. Thanks to lithium-ion batteries and nationwide charging infrastructure, EVs have gained widespread adoption. From just 97,000 units sold in the US in 2013, EV sales surpassed one million in 2023/24.

This momentum has started to spill over into agriculture, where electric tractors and drones are gaining traction but remain on the edge of broader adoption. The development of electric combines is also in the works. The rollout of these electric alternatives notwithstanding, widespread adoption by American farmers will largely depend on whether they have compelling reasons to switch to electric farm machinery. The benefits of electric farm equipment mirror those of regular EVs—lower maintenance costs, savings on fuel, quieter operation, and improved environmental performance. Yet, despite these advantages, electric farm vehicles are not nearly as popular as diesel. Some of the reasons may not be far-fetched. Unlike EVs, whose growth has been supported by an expanding network of electric charging stations largely in urban spaces, rural America does not have nearly as many, although strides are being made.

Battery capacity is another issue. Depending on the model and usage, electric farm machinery—particularly tractors—offers a range from as low as 3 hours, with more recent models running up to 14 hours per charge. Cost is also a hurdle, with electric tractors often carrying a higher price tag than their diesel counterparts. Additionally, current models of electric tractors may be more suited for lighter horsepower operations and tasks. 

Federal and state incentives will be crucial in the adoption of electric farm vehicles, particularly those aimed at reducing upfront costs. While similar incentives have played a substantial role in the spread of EVs, those specific to farm machinery remain vague. California leads with specific programs, such as Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Inventive (CORE), which provides vouchers to help offset the initial cost of electric farm equipment. There is also the Central Coast Ag Electrification Program in California, which provides rebates for farmers who switch traditional farm equipment to electric alternatives. In general, though, there is only a patchwork of incentives to help farmers defray the initial costs of electric farm equipment, with little clarity or commitment nationwide. This coincides with waning political focus on environmental initiatives, making strong incentives in the near term seem unlikely.

So, are electric farm vehicles a glimpse of the future or today’s reality? A bit of both! Given the larger logistical infrastructure hurdle across rural America and the current capacity of electric farm vehicles, they may still echo glimpses of the future. However, if the rapid rise in the popularity of EVs is any indication, electric farm vehicles might just be today’s reality, ready to take off.