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John Deere ethanol-powered tractor could create new demand for U.S. corn

John Deere’s new ethanol-powered tractor could create additional demand for U.S. corn farmers.

Buddy Kavalier, a John Deere ethanol awareness champion, says the E98 tractor is an 8R-series model is a prototype fueled by E98 pure ethanol.

“It’s an engine solution for our customers that eliminates diesel exhaust fluid and regenerations used on diesel engines,” he says. “This prototype tractor and engine perform well, and it has the potential to provide customers with a lower-cost fuel solution. We are currently seeing more than a 30 percent reduction in total fuel cost for the 8R ethanol tractor compared with diesel.”

He tells Brownfield the technology could benefit farmer profitability. 

“We’re using a fuel made from corn, or sorghum, in this tractor,” he says. “We’re still early in the development and we know it needs to meet our customers’ performance expectations, but we’re also using a fuel our customers are growing. That’s a meaningful benefit as we look to support farmers and expand demand for their crops.”

Kavalier says the prototype is currently undergoing field testing and has shown encouraging performance results over the last two growing seasons.

AUDIO: Buddy Kavalier, John Deere