Kubota has launched a new electric tractor, the LXe-261, which will be available for rental from April next year.
With an increasing number of European markets tightening regulations and implementing bans on diesel vehicles, many local authorities and other public bodies are actively seeking alternatives – such as electric vehicles (EVs) and fuel-cell vehicles (FCVs). In light of this, and in line with Kubota’s Environmental Vision published in 2021 to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, they have been researching, developing and trialling electric tractors.
One of the major challenges when developing electric tractors is range and operational time. For that reason, the new LXe-261 is equipped with a large-capacity battery that can provide rapid one hour charging and three to four hours of continuous run-time. This means operators will be able to quickly charge the batteries during lunch and continue working in the afternoon for optimal efficiency.
The LXe-261 also includes key features for mowing, hauling, and other green space management tasks, such as an independent PTO, a comfortable HST transmission and multiple hydraulic outlets. Boasting a compact size, this model is well-suited to a wide range of applications.
The LXe-261 will be on show at several trade exhibitions in Europe over the coming months, including Salon Vert in France (Sept 21-22), SALTEX in the UK (Nov 2-3) and EIMA in Italy (Nov 9-13). It will then be available for rental in the UK from April 2023.
