At Fieragricola 2024, the Bcs Group introduced an electric tractor called “e-Valiant,” mechanically derived from a similar model in the Bcs range. It was the first isodiametric electric tractor to be regularly produced and sold, and it also enabled the Luzzara team to acquire the skills needed to develop an “electric” product line to complement the traditional range.
Since it was available for purchase, it also allowed the company to identify potential customer profiles, prompting the brand to consider launching a second model featuring more advanced construction and comfort solutions. This led to the launch of the “e-Astral” at EIMA 2024, an electric tractor with a different design approach than the “e-Valiant” but with significant technical and structural ties to that model. The “e-Valiant” was developed by replacing the internal combustion engine with a 25-kilowatt electric motor (about 30 horsepower) for traction and power take-off, while a second 16-kilowatt electric motor (about 22 horsepower) powered onboard systems.
Two Electric Units
The traction motor was aligned with the driveshaft, positioned approximately where the flywheel of the internal combustion engine is located on traditional “Valiant” models, while the second motor was installed at the front. A dedicated control unit managed the entire system, including two 15-kilowatt-hour battery packs operating at 48 volts, housed under the hood.
The new “e-Astral” adopts these structural features but offers greater autonomy, appealing to socio-economic organizations that prioritize zero-emission machinery in terms of exhaust gases and noise levels. This makes it ideal for green maintenance and indoor facility operations, such as those performed by urban municipalities, nurseries, horticultural and fruit-growing businesses, wineries, and livestock farms. Additionally, the combined 41 kilowatts of power from the two motors—25 kilowatts for traction and 16 kilowatts for onboard hydraulics—can also be used for traditional agricultural tasks, provided the energy demands are compatible with the available power.
Enhanced Battery Capacity
To ensure maximum operational efficiency, the Luzzara engineers increased the battery capacity to 36 kilowatt-hours and introduced three motor management modes, depending on whether the focus is on traction, hydraulics, or both. In traction mode, the onboard control unit operates the hydraulic motor at minimum speed, sufficient to supply service systems with 15 liters of oil per minute. In hydraulic mode, the traction motor is deactivated, allowing the system to deliver over 28 liters of oil per minute to onboard equipment.
Up to Seven Hydraulic Outlets
The system can power three to seven hydraulic outlets, operable through either mechanical controls or an electro-proportional joystick. It provides a rear hitch lifting capacity of approximately 1.5 tons. In conventional operation—simultaneously moving and powering attachments—the control unit optimizes power delivery from both motors, ensuring maximum performance at the expense of reduced autonomy.
According to Ferrari, the tractor can operate for three to six hours depending on the load, with recharging times (from 20% to 80% capacity) ranging from three hours with a six-kilowatt wall box to five hours using standard grid power. Aside from the propulsion system, the “e-Astral” shares the structural characteristics of other isodiametric tractors from the Group, including the oscillating chassis (“OS-Frame”), which allows for both traditional and articulated steering configurations. It also features the original BCS Group 12+12 synchronized transmission with a shuttle shift.
Traditional Version Coming Soon
The clutches, immersed in oil, connect the traction motor to the transmission and the power take-off, and the platform—insulated and cabin-ready—supports the driver’s seat. Confirming the strategic approach, Bcs Group plans to launch a traditional version of the machine by mid-2025, powered by a 56-horsepower Kohler diesel engine.
Digital Solutions
The new “e-Astral” is available with two steering systems, in open or cabbed configurations, and with a fixed or reversible driver’s seat that can rotate 180 degrees in just seconds, along with the steering wheel, seat, and joystick (if present). All versions feature digital solutions designed for precision agriculture, allowing the tractor to connect to a remote operational base for recording and storing operational data, positioning in the field, and tracking work passes.
Titolo: Ferrari e-Astral, there is certainty about the future
Translation with ChatGPT
