VW launches electric tractor rental service with replaceable batteries in Africa

Volkswagen Group Africa has announced the launch of the GenFarm pilot project in Rwanda. The initiative not only provides farmers with electric tractors with replaceable batteries, but also offers a wide range of services from transport to green electricity.

Here's What We Know

The pilot project started in the town of Gashora, about 60 kilometres from the Rwandan capital Kigali. In June 2023, Volkswagen signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Rwandan government, allowing land to be allocated for the initiative. GenFarm itself is an entire ecosystem of electrified agriculture. It includes:

• Rental of electric tractors with driver
• Battery replacement and charging infrastructure
• An Empowerment Hub that provides farmers with energy, storage space, and machinery service

The first Empowerment Hub should be ready in 2025. It will receive electricity from solar panels.

Volkswagen's electric tractors produce 27 hp (20 kW) and are powered by a 32 kWh battery. The batteries are replaced and charged at the Empowerment Hub. The use of replaceable batteries minimises the downtime of the vehicles.

The project involves:

• Volkswagen Group Innovation Centre Europe - supplies electric tractors and equipment.
• Volkswagen Mobility Solutions Rwanda - coordinating the pilot phase.
• Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture (RICA) and GIZ are involved in the training of staff and procurement of equipment.

Why it matters.

According to Volkswagen, the agricultural sector forms 25% of Rwanda's GDP and supporting farmers is key to economic growth. GenFarm aims to make agriculture more accessible, environmentally friendly and efficient.

Source: Agrimachinery