World’s First 110kW Hydrogen Fuel Cell Tractor Unveiled

Professor Yongju Kim’s team at Chungnam National University has made a groundbreaking achievement by developing the world’s first 110kW hydrogen fuel cell tractor and releasing the prototype to the private sector.

The research team, led by Professor Yongju Kim of the Department of Biosystems and Mechanical Engineering at Chungnam National University, showcased the hydrogen fuel cell tractor prototype at the ‘2024 Korea International Agricultural Machinery and Materials Expo (KIEMSTA)’ held at EXCO in Daegu from October 30 to November 2.

Globally, the hydrogen fuel cell mobility industry is focusing on commercialization in fields such as commercial vehicles, construction machinery, and drones. However, there are no commercialized cases of large 100 kW tractors. Recently, New Holland and Kubota are pursuing development or are about to commercialize it.

The hydrogen fuel cell tractor, developed by Professor Kim’s team, is a 110 kW large tractor based on hydrogen fuel cells. It is expected to solve the problem of charging time, a major drawback of existing electric battery tractors.

This hydrogen fuel cell tractor is being developed as a common platform for cabin type (manned) and unmanned type. It has been designed so that domestic tractor manufacturers (TYM, LS, Daedong) can jointly use it, reducing costs and offering wide scalability.

Professor Kim stated, “We are introducing the world’s first developed hydrogen fuel cell tractor prototype at a large-scale international agricultural machinery exhibition representing Korea.” He added, “Following the unveiling of the prototype, we have accelerated the commercialization of the product, and K-Tractor has expanded beyond Korea and around the world.” “We will expand and lead global technology,” he said.