Wedoany.com Report-Oct. 3, Hibra Design, a Cork-based automotive engineering company, unveiled Ireland’s first battery-electric converted tractor at this year’s Ploughing Championships. The project highlights the company’s expertise in developing bespoke vehicle solutions, focusing on battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell powertrains.

The 70hp four-cylinder enoie in the vonn peere 5070M has been replaced with a 73kW motor and 55kWh battery system.

The tractor on display, a John Deere 5070M, had its 70hp, 4.5-liter four-cylinder diesel engine completely removed and replaced with a 73kW electric motor paired with a 55kWh battery system. The project, named Boglands Electric Tractor Reengineering (BETR), was commissioned by Bord na Móna and showcased in the Enterprise Ireland Innovation Arena.

Funded by the Peatlands and People EU program, the conversion aims to repurpose one of Bord na Móna’s existing tractors for extreme peatland conditions, supporting rewetting initiatives and sphagnum moss planting. The tractor also functions as a mobile energy source for battery-powered drones, expanding its operational versatility.

The conversion project took 13 months to complete, including a nine-month design phase and a four-month build and testing phase. Mike Keane, founder of Hibra Design, explained: “The conversion demanded a complex engineering approach to fully integrate the tractor’s existing control systems, 4WD transmission, PTO, and hydraulic functions with the new electric powertrain.”

An electric motor now directly replaces the diesel engine, allowing the transmission, hydraulic pump, and PTO to operate as before. The team chose a 73kW motor with a 55kWh lithium-ion battery positioned where the engine once sat. Power output was limited to the equivalent of 100hp, with torque controlled to a maximum of 578Nm (continuous 294Nm) to prevent drivetrain issues.

The converted tractor weighs 20kg less than the original 3,700kg, and the motor’s torque curve was mapped to closely replicate the driving experience of the original diesel engine. Following extensive field testing, Bord na Móna reported the tractor’s performance is very similar to its previous diesel version.

The 55kWh battery provides a continuous runtime of up to 2.5 hours, while a larger 110kWh option offers five hours of operation. DC fast charging allows the standard battery to recharge in 60 minutes, whereas a dedicated AC charger takes up to 8.8 hours.

Hibra Design, founded in 2022 by Mike Keane after a 20-year automotive career with companies such as Ford, Nissan, Liebherr, Land Rover, and Jaguar, now employs five staff members. In just five years, the company has secured projects for public and private clients across Ireland, the EU, the Middle East, and South Africa. The company’s name is inspired by the Irish proverb: “Tús maith leath na hoibre”, meaning “A good start is half the work.”

The BETR project demonstrates Hibra Design’s ability to convert conventional diesel machinery into sustainable electric solutions, supporting environmental initiatives while maintaining operational performance.