Former Volkswagen CEO Herbert Diess plans to launch a new mid-range electric tractor next year. To this end, he has founded Diess E-Agrartechnik AG, based in Munich. One of the unique features of the e-tractor is expected to be a swappable battery system enabling 24/7 operation.
Herbert Diess is undoubtedly enjoying an active retirement: after being dismissed as CEO of Volkswagen in 2022, he became Chairman of the Supervisory Board at chip manufacturer Infineon in 2023. He is also now advocating for bidirectional charging at The Mobility House and runs an estate in Spain that includes a hotel, cattle farming, and a pear plantation.
Now, Diess revealed his next venture on LinkedIn: in Munich, he has founded Diess E-Agrartechnik AG to bring an electric tractor to market as early as 2027. Positioned in the mid-range segment, the tractor is designed to appeal to farmers and municipal services, and, of course, to be ‘revolutionary.’
24/7 operation
The former VW boss has not yet disclosed further details, and so far, there is neither a commercial register entry nor a company website for the project. However, Herbert Diess has already revealed that the tractor will use a swappable battery system designed to enable 24/7 operation.
According to Diess, two driving directions and compatibility with all standard implements, including winter equipment, mowers, and loaders, could make the new tractor “probably the most versatile on the market”.
From the first deliveries in 2027, the electric tractor is expected to be fully competitive with comparable diesel vehicles, while reducing operating costs by 50%.
Other electric services and devices
In addition to tractors, the new company plans to develop battery-swapping stations, solar-powered charging stations, electric implements, and, in the future, autonomous agricultural machinery.
Diess E-Agrartechnik AG is working with an established agricultural machinery company for the DACH region (Austria, Germany, Switzerland) as well as with experienced and competitive suppliers. At the same time, Diess is looking for a female executive to build the company’s global sales network, with experience in the agricultural sector listed as a key requirement.
Tractor fan
Herbert Diess already worked on electric tractors during his time at Volkswagen. As part of the ‘GenFarm’ project, VW developed an electric tractor for use in Rwanda, where it has been operating since 2024. Diess had already test-driven the prototype on a field near Wolfsburg in 2021.
The GenFarm Project started in June 2023 as part of the MoU between Volkswagen Group Africa and the Government of Rwanda. It wants to facilitate a “holistic ecosystem of e-powered mechanized farming service for rural areas in Africa that is reliable, sustainable, and environmentally friendly.” The project aims to provide clean energy and business spaces, as well as trials of electric tractors and training for the local farmers.
In the press release from Volkswagen Group Africa at the time (late 2024), the Managing Director of Volkswagen Group Innovation, Nikolai Ardey, said: “We want to offer various services in the empowerment hubs. Farmers can book an e-tractor, including a trained driver, for affordable, sustainable farming.”
“The unique selling point of the project is the use of the battery swap system. In this way, the battery becomes part of the hub’s energy infrastructure as well as energy storage for the tractor,” he added.
