AUGA Group has introduced the world’s first hybrid biomethane and electric tractor for professional farm use – the AUGA M1
Until now, sustainable fuel tractors available on the market have not been suitable for large-scale farm work. This is the company’s first step in offering technological solutions that will help eliminate climate pollution throughout the supply chain and foster sustainable agriculture.
According to a recent study, food systems are responsible for a third of global greenhouse gas emissions, and a large portion of these are due to the use of fossil fuels in agricultural machinery. According to Kęstutis Juščius, CEO of AUGA Group, the new technology, on which AUGA M1 is based, will help creating a new food production model on a global scale and reduce the environmental impact of agriculture.
“We are ready to provide consumers around the world with food at no cost to nature. By eating such food, people themselves will make a positive impact on climate change daily,” he added.
“Three years ago, when we first calculated our emissions, 30% of them come from the use of fossil fuels on farms. There were simply no solutions to change it. That is why we have taken the lead in developing technologies that will allow us to create a new standard for sustainable agriculture and drastically reduce pollution throughout the food value chain,” Juščius added.
Powered by biofuel
Methane collected from livestock waste and converted to biomethane offsets more emissions per unit of energy in its production and use cycle than it emits.
“Our invention makes it possible to create a wide range of tractor applications and make it accessible to all farmers who want to work sustainably. We are not developing technology just to solve our own emissions and deliver on the promise of becoming a CO2-neutral company by 2030. Our goal is bigger – we will strive for this tractor, and other technologies that are still being developed, to help solve the global problem of pollution in the agricultural sector,” Juščius added.
Tackling long-standing innovation barriers
The hybrid AUGA M1 tractor solves two main obstacles that have so far hindered the prevalence of biomethane-powered tractors – the inefficient refuelling process and underdeveloped refuelling station infrastructure. The latter was solved by offering quick and convenient gas cartridge replacement.
“Currently, biomethane-powered tractors are able to operate for only two to four hours because the gas cylinders do not physically fit into the tractor structure. However, farmers need agricultural machinery that can work for 12 hours or more,” the CEO explained.
Building eco-aware community with sustainable tech
Following the global strategy of agricultural technologies (AgTech), Juščius added that more solutions, which will help ensure the sustainability of the entire food chain, will be presented in the near future. Currently, the company’s experts are developing ‘green’ technology that will eliminate carbon emissions from the soil and the digestive process of cattle.
