Global Fastener News

Electric and hydrogen are quickly becoming a tangible option for many industries. These alternative fuels are well known for their adoption by the automotive industry, but other industries are capitalizing on low emissions technologies.

Although the agriculture industry is responsible for 10% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions, Co2 produced by farm machinery and heating only contributed to 9% of this total amount. Nonetheless, this industry is prioritizing low-energy technologies and renewable energy sources.

Recent advancements in the farm machinery industry see businesses developing not just hydrogen-powered machines, but also refuelers, motors and engines. For the moment, hydrogen fuels are more favorable than their electric counterparts for farm machinery. With lightweighting issues and range anxiety still dominating the electric market, farm machinery manufacturers are reluctant to adopt electric technologies, as their machines need to operate for long hours and withstand very heavy loads.

However, it may not be long before electricity becomes a staple fuel for the agricultural industry too.

Although hydrogen technology is beginning to revolutionize farm machinery, it brings -financial and logistical challenges.

Although farm machinery contributes a lower amount of Co2 emissions than other industries, the industry’s significant contribution to methane and nitrous oxide emissions forces businesses to cut emissions by switching to alternative fuels. The only waste that green hydrogen produces is water vapor, which is obtained through electrolysis of water, making it sustainable as it’s powered by electricity from renewable sources.

Up to 80% of energy used by a regular petrol engine is wasted as heat. Hydrogen only disperses 20% of its energy, using 80% to power the machine.

Hydrogen technology offers a more compact propulsion system than electric, with quick refueling times and impressive range. Some hydrogen vehicles can travel over 500 miles from one refuel, and the charging time can take just as long as refilling a diesel car, allowing farm machinery to achieve long operating times.