Low-emission tractors will feature at the Energy Now Expo, to be held in Telford, Shropshire.

Organisers have pointed out that the Scottish Government has set ambitious targets to reduce total greenhouse gas emissions by 66% by 2032, which could mean that Scottish farmers and landowners will have to adopt new, low-emission technologies, including farm tractors.

The viability of electric, compressed natural gas (CNG) or hybrid tractors and farm vehicles has been widely debated, but is only now looking to be coming into the realms of being a feasible alternative to fossil-fuelled vehicles, David Jacobmeyer, director of the Energy Now Expo, told The SF.

“Many prototype technologies that have been brought to the market to date, have a limited battery life and take a number of hours to charge. This is not realistic when farming large hectarages and when a charging station can’t be easily accessed within an agricultural context," he said.

“Therefore, more efficient battery storage has become a priority for the sector. As a result, developments in this area have moved on significantly, as technology providers focus on developing affordable solutions that will work within the parameters of the realities of agriculture.

“The biodiesel market also has scope to build itself up again, following a few difficult years and some negative press. Oil prices are only likely to increase in the future, and the more expensive the price is, the more attractive the biodiesel market becomes as a more cost-effective and feasible fuel source.

“Biomethane also has the potential to become a key transport fuel with significant environmental and cost savings compared to diesel for HGVs, buses and other vehicles.

“In the future, there may even be an opportunity for farms to become fuelling stations for biodiesel, CNG and electric vehicles, but the necessary infrastructure in rural locations will be key.”

A paper written by the NFU, in England, in February, 2017, reported that it anticipated diesel-electric hybrid and battery-electric tractors will be widely available from 2020 onwards, and that driverless tractors and drones could potentially offer opportunities for smaller farms to increase productivity, added Mr Jacobmeyer.

“Energy Now Expo 2018 will look at each of the renewable energy sectors, such as AD, wind, biomass and hydro, to identify current and future opportunities available to farmers,” he added.

* The Energy Now Expo event is being held at the Telford International Centre on February 7 and 8, 2018, and will be host to a range of suppliers, industry advisors and government bodies, featuring the latest technology across all renewable sectors.