GoSun unveils solar-chargeable electric tractor

GoSun, an Ohio-based solar appliance company, has teamed up with Indian manufacturer Moonrider to build an electric tractor meant to replace diesel models for small farms, homesteads, and property maintenance. It runs on a 24 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery, a stable, long-lasting battery chemistry, and can be charged either through a standard 220 V outlet or an optional 1.1 kW solar array mounted on the tractor itself.

On a full charge, the tractor runs for about five hours. Adding the solar panel option can stretch that by roughly 1.5 more hours on a sunny day. There's also an optional generator attachment that turns the tractor into a portable power source for running electric tools, which could be useful for anyone doing yard work or small repairs away from an outlet.

As for the machine itself: it puts out 27 horsepower, has four-wheel drive, and can lift up to 750 kg with its hitch. It's built with nine forward gears and three reverse, oil-immersed brakes, and a tight turning radius of 1.4 meters, making it maneuverable in smaller spaces. It weighs about 1,095 kg and stands just over 2 meters tall.

This isn't a product for a typical suburban homeowner, but for anyone with acreage, a hobby farm, or heavy property maintenance needs, it points to a growing option: swapping diesel equipment for electric versions that can run partly or fully on sunlight, cutting fuel costs and engine noise in the process.