New Holland to show first fuel cell powered tractor in February

Agricultural equipment maker New Holland will be unveiling what it claims is the first fuel cell-powered tractor at a French trade show in February. The tractor is based on the existing T6000 unit with a hydrogen fuel cell electric drive system replacing the conventional diesel powertrain. New Holland apparently collaborated with Fiat and Iveco to develop the new drive train. Few details are available at this time, but the tractor apparently has three lithium ion batteries in addition to the fuel cell. As with other fuel cell vehicles, the batteries store energy from regenerative braking and provide bursts of power when needed. This allows the fuel cell stack to operate in its most efficient steady state mode. The prototype that will be unveiled will have a 120 hp electric drive motor.
[Sources: FarmersGaurdian.com, FarmingForum.co.uk]