Agricultural tractor electrical propulsion concept

Although the limited energy density of energy storages currently slows down the electrification of agricultural tractors, the wide rotation speed range and excellent torque of electric machines are of particular interest in propulsion research and development in the field. Modern tractor propulsion...

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Main Authors: Tero Lappalainen, Ilya Petrov, Juha Pyrhönen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-04-01
Series:Energy Conversion and Management: X
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590174525000674
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author Tero Lappalainen
Ilya Petrov
Juha Pyrhönen
author_facet Tero Lappalainen
Ilya Petrov
Juha Pyrhönen
author_sort Tero Lappalainen
collection DOAJ
description Although the limited energy density of energy storages currently slows down the electrification of agricultural tractors, the wide rotation speed range and excellent torque of electric machines are of particular interest in propulsion research and development in the field. Modern tractor propulsion systems must be able to comply with a variety of applications from low-speed high-torque to moderate and high-speed applications. Two distinct operating points may be highlighted. Ploughing or cultivating are typically performed at speed less than 10 km/h, whereas transportation takes place at speeds between 50–60 km/h. In both cases, constant high-power operation is demanded. This differentiates a tractor’s electric drive cycle totally from e.g. a passenger car electric drive load. A concept-level examination into the electrical propulsion suitability for an agricultural tractor’s rear axle is presented. Since there are several options for the type of propulsion motor, a rough pre-selection process is first performed. Selected machine types are then studied against the required pulling performance curve by employing applicable ratios for planetary and final drive gear reduction. Machine efficiencies are analytically calculated at operating points and further validated with 2D efficiency maps for the best candidates. Magnetic circuits are subjected to a mechanical quantification and a corresponding cost structure is calculated with publicly available commodity prices. Finally, a candidate for a prototype building and testing phase is proposed.
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series Energy Conversion and Management: X
spelling doaj-art-df6960f38ab345469e3493bf62bd7f672025-08-20T03:49:41ZengElsevierEnergy Conversion and Management: X2590-17452025-04-012610093510.1016/j.ecmx.2025.100935Agricultural tractor electrical propulsion conceptTero Lappalainen0Ilya Petrov1Juha Pyrhönen2Corresponding author.; Lappeenranta University of Technology, Lappeenranta 53850, FinlandLappeenranta University of Technology, Lappeenranta 53850, FinlandLappeenranta University of Technology, Lappeenranta 53850, FinlandAlthough the limited energy density of energy storages currently slows down the electrification of agricultural tractors, the wide rotation speed range and excellent torque of electric machines are of particular interest in propulsion research and development in the field. Modern tractor propulsion systems must be able to comply with a variety of applications from low-speed high-torque to moderate and high-speed applications. Two distinct operating points may be highlighted. Ploughing or cultivating are typically performed at speed less than 10 km/h, whereas transportation takes place at speeds between 50–60 km/h. In both cases, constant high-power operation is demanded. This differentiates a tractor’s electric drive cycle totally from e.g. a passenger car electric drive load. A concept-level examination into the electrical propulsion suitability for an agricultural tractor’s rear axle is presented. Since there are several options for the type of propulsion motor, a rough pre-selection process is first performed. Selected machine types are then studied against the required pulling performance curve by employing applicable ratios for planetary and final drive gear reduction. Machine efficiencies are analytically calculated at operating points and further validated with 2D efficiency maps for the best candidates. Magnetic circuits are subjected to a mechanical quantification and a corresponding cost structure is calculated with publicly available commodity prices. Finally, a candidate for a prototype building and testing phase is proposed.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590174525000674Agricultural tractorEnergy conversionTraction motorPermanent magnet machineInduction machine
spellingShingle Tero Lappalainen
Ilya Petrov
Juha Pyrhönen
Agricultural tractor electrical propulsion concept
Energy Conversion and Management: X
Agricultural tractor
Energy conversion
Traction motor
Permanent magnet machine
Induction machine
title Agricultural tractor electrical propulsion concept
title_full Agricultural tractor electrical propulsion concept
title_fullStr Agricultural tractor electrical propulsion concept
title_full_unstemmed Agricultural tractor electrical propulsion concept
title_short Agricultural tractor electrical propulsion concept
title_sort agricultural tractor electrical propulsion concept
topic Agricultural tractor
Energy conversion
Traction motor
Permanent magnet machine
Induction machine
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590174525000674
work_keys_str_mv AT terolappalainen agriculturaltractorelectricalpropulsionconcept
AT ilyapetrov agriculturaltractorelectricalpropulsionconcept
AT juhapyrhonen agriculturaltractorelectricalpropulsionconcept