The zero-emission, multipurpose solar-powered platform for sustainable agriculture.
Back in 2008 an organic farmer in Burgenland/Austria asked a team of EV engineers to build an electric vehicle that could carry four workers for harvesting vegetables and fruit. That was the start of Solar Traktor, and the original heliotrac vehicle platform was designed and patent registered.
By the end of 2016 a new team continued the original project and upgraded to latest motor/drive/battery technology, including lightweight materials, wheels instead of tracks. First prototypes with 600+ kg load tests started in 2018. Since 2020, building materials were weight-optimised and low-cost versions tested in rural areas.
In 2026, all blueprints of all versions, including manuals, will be available under an open source license. The OpenFarmBox IoT device will be available for selected users. Using natural resources efficiently — the sun as the only source of energy.
Since December 1st 2025, Solar Traktor is part of Perpedes, a non-profit organization for sustainable living.
* heliotrac is a registered trademark of Martin Mohr, founder of ecoduna.
The zero emission, multipurpose platform for harvesting, sowing, watering, cultivating, fertilising and more — with up to 70% lower TCO.
Uses the sun as the only source of energy for the whole year. When not on duty, it can be plugged to the grid, used as a power generator, or as a water pump.
As an open hardware construction kit, you have the right to repair every component yourself. No more expensive maintenance dependencies.
Reduced soil compaction thanks to lightweight construction (<400 kg), wide surface, and special lightweight profile. No hazard to the soil from oil and diesel.
Up to 70% lower TCO compared to conventional tractors. Ideal working conditions for agricultural workers with a wide range of applications and fewer idle times.
No CO₂ or greenhouse gas emissions. 100% independent of big commercial providers and other gatekeepers.
Harvesting, sowing, watering, cultivating, fertilising and more (except plowing). Currently being tested in different countries with modules for local applications.
An open source IoT hardware device — think "FarmOS meets ISOblue".
Agriculture is, by sector, the second largest supplier of greenhouse gases. It generates 24% of the harmful fumes associated with climate change — just 1% less than energy generation.
There's more carbon in soil than in the atmosphere and all plant life combined. When soil gets disturbed — like when converting a forest into cropland — all that stored carbon gets released into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. Deforestation alone is responsible for 11% of all global greenhouse gas emissions.
Source: Fast Company — Bill Gates on agricultural hacks for climate change
Solar Traktor
c/o A. Vavrekova
Hauptstrasse 137
A-2391 Kaltenleutgeben
Austria
Email: info [at] solar-traktor [dot] com
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