EV Engineering & Infrastructure

  • News
  • Articles
  • Batteries
  • Charging
    • Wireless Charging
    • Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G)
  • Electrification
  • Testing and Safety
  • R&D
  • Learn
    • Learning Center
    • Tech Toolboxes
    • Webinars
  • Resources
    • Digital Editions
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • Voices
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

Electrification brings a complex future to ag machinery

By mgannon | May 29, 2025

For its mobile hydraulics focus on the agricultural market, our sister publication, Fluid Power World, spoke with Vinicius Povineli, Mobile Electronics/Connectivity Product Manager at Bosch Rexroth, to learn how electrification is impacting agricultural (ag) machinery today and into the future.

How are hybrid and electric innovations impacting the agriculture industry, and where do you see any challenges arising in the future?

Povineli: From my perspective, hybrid and electric technologies are already making a noticeable impact in agriculture by improving fuel efficiency, reducing emissions, and opening the door for more precise, intelligent machine control. These solutions align well with the industry’s growing push for sustainability and automation.

However, challenges remain, particularly in infrastructure , such as charging availability in remote or rural areas, and in justifying ROI for farmers who operate in cost-sensitive environments. Battery technology is improving, but energy density and runtime under heavy-duty use are still limiting factors for full electrification of larger machines.

AgDrive, an efficient complete solution from Bosch Rexroth which includes BODAS Software, opens up a wide range of functions for self-propelled agricultural machines with a hydrostatic multi-motor drive.
Advanced software opens up a wide range of functions for self-propelled agricultural machines with a hydrostatic multi-motor drive. (Image: Bosch Rexroth)

How are electronic control solutions, such as electrohydraulic valves and smart pumps, transforming the performance and efficiency of mobile agricultural machines? 

Povineli: I’ve seen firsthand how electronic control systems, especially when integrated through platforms like Rexroth eOC and eEP, are revolutionizing mobile equipment. Electro-hydraulic valves and smart pumps enable real-time, adaptive machine behavior that reduces energy loss, improves responsiveness, and supports precision farming applications. This level of control enhances both performance and fuel economy, and it also simplifies diagnostics and predictive maintenance through data collection.

In addition to performance and efficiency, electrohydraulic designs greatly improve ease of controllability. Operators can achieve smoother, more precise movements thanks to programmable logic and proportional control, which allow for fine-tuned adjustments across different functions and load conditions. This not only enhances operator comfort and accuracy in the field, but also enables automation features that reduce dependency on manual input and improve repeatability across tasks.

Integrated smart pump and valve platforms, such as the Rexroth eOC, enable real-time, adaptive machine behavior that reduces energy loss, improves responsiveness, and supports precision farming applications.
Integrated smart pump and valve platforms, such as the Rexroth eOC, enable real-time, adaptive machine behavior that reduces energy loss, improves responsiveness, and supports precision farming applications.

What types of machines are most impacted by these hybrid and electric solutions? Which are less likely to adopt the new technology and why?

Povineli: Smaller utility tractors, autonomous platforms, and implements with auxiliary drives are among the most impacted so far — largely because they can benefit from electrification without the same power demands as high-horsepower machines. On the other hand, large combine harvesters or 4WD tractors are slower to adopt due to the sheer energy demand and runtime requirements during peak operations. For those, hybrid solutions, such as electrified auxiliaries, are a more realistic near-term path than full battery electric.

Belgian agricultural machinery manufacturer Hyler’s self-propelled harvester includes hydraulics, mobile electronics, software and telematics from Rexroth, allowing it to harvest various types of fiber crops.
Belgian agricultural machinery manufacturer Hyler’s self-propelled harvester includes hydraulics, mobile electronics, software and telematics from Rexroth, allowing it to harvest various types of fiber crops.

That’s where hybrid systems play a critical transitional role. In large machines like harvesters or articulated tractors, full electrification is often impractical today due to battery size, weight, and charging logistics. However, hybrid architectures — such as using electric drives for fans, pumps, or compressors — can offload work from the engine, improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions without compromising uptime. These solutions also pave the way for better load management, modularity, and future scalability as battery and charging technologies evolve.

How do electric solutions and sensor integration in mobile agriculture equipment support improved data analysis, machine output and the precision of mobile agriculture practices?

Povineli: By combining electric actuation with sensor-rich systems, like all Rexroth Bodas Platforms, especially AgDrive, we can achieve highly precise control of field operations. The real game-changer, though, is the data these systems generate. With platforms like Rexroth Bodas Connect, we’re able to collect, analyze, and act on that data remotely, optimizing machine performance and enabling predictive service which is especially valuable for fleet managers and dealers.

With platforms like Rexroth Bodas Connect, users can collect, analyze, and act on data remotely, optimizing machine performance and enabling predictive service which is especially valuable for fleet managers and dealers.
With platforms like Rexroth Bodas Connect, users can collect, analyze, and act on data remotely, optimizing machine performance and enabling predictive service which can be valuable for fleet managers and dealers.

Sensor-rich architectures are also foundational to autonomy. Ultrasonic sensors, Radar, cameras, Collision Avoidance Systems, GNSS, IMUs, and other perception technologies allow machines to better understand their environment, respond to changing field conditions, and navigate with minimal human input. This is critical not only for full autonomy, but also for semi-autonomous functions like section control, headland turning, and variable rate application.

From a broader perspective, these IoT-enabled systems are transforming decision-making in agriculture. By capturing high-resolution operational data, farmers can make more informed choices about planting depth, fertilization rates, soil compaction, and even yield estimation. This leads to improved consistency, resource efficiency, and ultimately higher productivity across the growing cycle.

What is a barrier to adopting hybrid and electric mobile machines in the agriculture industry?

Povineli: One of the biggest barriers is still the total cost of ownership. Farmers are open to innovation, but the investment must pay off in tangible benefits — either through fuel savings, reduced downtime, or better yields. There’s also a learning curve for both operators and technicians when it comes to maintaining and troubleshooting these new systems. Training, dealer support, and clear ROI calculations will be essential for broader adoption.

Additionally, as machines become more complex with hybrid and electric technologies, farmers often face challenges when it comes to troubleshooting and repair. The increasing reliance on advanced electronics, software, and specialized components means that traditional repair methods may no longer suffice, and many farmers struggle with the inability to repair these systems themselves. This dependency on external service providers can result in longer downtimes and higher maintenance costs.

Manufacturers can help mitigate this issue by designing more reliable and user-friendly systems that are easier to diagnose and repair. Incorporating predictive maintenance tools and remote diagnostic capabilities can enable farmers to address potential issues before they become major problems. This proactive approach to maintenance can reduce the frequency and severity of breakdowns, ultimately lowering repair costs and improving overall machine uptime.

 

You Might Also Like


Filed Under: FAQs, Mobile Hydraulics - EV Engineering
Tagged With: boschrexroth
 

Next Article

← Previous Article
Next Article →


 
“ee
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest info on technologies, tools and strategies for EV professionals.

Featured Contributions

  • What role do thermal interface materials (TIMs) play in EV battery systems?
  • How evolving demands are driving innovations in EV battery safety and materials
  • How large EV battery packs can be safely recycled without disassembly
  • Changing from traditional powertrains to electrified machines requires optimizing the hydraulic system components to reduce energy consumption and extend vehicle range. What factors impact electric vehicle system design?
  • How to safely detect minute physical Li-ion battery flaws
More Featured Contributions

EE TECH TOOLBOX

“ee
Tech Toolbox: 5G Technology
This Tech Toolbox covers the basics of 5G technology plus a story about how engineers designed and built a prototype DSL router mostly from old cellphone parts. Download this first 5G/wired/wireless communications Tech Toolbox to learn more!

Learning Center

EE Learning Center
Search Millions of Parts from Thousands of Suppliers.

Search Now!
design fast globle

Sponsored Content

  • Converting custom materials for EV applications
  • Advantech Powers Versatile Electric Vehicle Charging Systems

EV Training Days

ev
EV Engineering & Infrastructure
  • 5G Technology
  • Analog IC Tips
  • Battery Power Tips
  • Connector Tips
  • Design Fast
  • EDABoard Forums
  • Electro-Tech-Online Forums
  • Engineer’s Garage
  • Microcontroller Tips
  • Power Electronic Tips
  • Sensor Tips
  • Test and Measurement Tips
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2025 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

Search EV Engineering & Infrastructure

  • News
  • Articles
  • Batteries
  • Charging
    • Wireless Charging
    • Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G)
  • Electrification
  • Testing and Safety
  • R&D
  • Learn
    • Learning Center
    • Tech Toolboxes
    • Webinars
  • Resources
    • Digital Editions
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • Voices
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe