- Autonomous tractor completes spring plowing demo in Heilongjiang using methanol-electric powertrain
- System aims to cut fuel costs, reduce emissions and address labor shortages in farming
A driverless tractor powered by Geely’s methanol-electric agricultural machinery system has completed a spring farming demonstration in northeastern China’s Heilongjiang province, as China explores lower-emission alternatives for heavy-duty farm equipment.
The autonomous tractor carried out field operations in Baoqing County, part of the northeastern grain-producing region of Shuangyashan, using a methanol-electric hybrid power system instead of conventional diesel engines.
According to project estimates, the methanol-electric setup could save about 560,000 yuan ($82,394) in energy costs over a 10-year lifecycle assuming 700 operating hours annually, compared with traditional diesel continuously variable transmission systems.
The tractor is equipped with an autonomous driving system capable of centimeter-level operating precision within ±2 centimeters.
It can run continuously around the clock and includes obstacle recognition and automatic stopping functions, features designed to reduce labor demands during peak farming seasons.
The methanol-powered system is also positioned as an alternative to battery-only agricultural machinery in northern China’s cold climate.
Equipped with an 800-liter methanol tank, the tractor can cover roughly 200 to 300 mu, or 13 to 20 hectares, of farmland per refill, with refueling taking about 10 minutes — comparable to diesel equipment.
Methanol fuel produces significantly lower pollutant emissions than diesel and degrades more easily in the natural environment, reducing risks to soil and water systems in sensitive black-earth farming regions, according to the project team.
