Pioneering with Robotic and Hydrogen Tractors

At Cleantech Park Arnhem, a team of engineers is working daily on the future of agricultural technology. EOX Tractors leads the development of innovative, sustainable farming machinery. This young company designs fully electric and hydrogen-powered tractors, with the primary goal of making the agricultural sector more sustainable. Business developer Charlotte Moor explains, “EOX stands for ‘electric ox,’ referring to the strength and reliability of the animal, combined with the innovative electric drivetrain of our tractors. The ox is also featured in our company logo.”

Controlled Traffic Farming
EOX Tractors started in 2018 as H2Trac with the mission to develop highly sustainable agricultural machinery. Seven forward-thinking farmers were involved from the start. “They helped shape the ideal tractor design with the aim of making farming more sustainable and efficient,” Charlotte says. “Using Controlled Traffic Farming, crops are optimally protected because tractors follow fixed wheel tracks. This leads to more efficient land use and increased yields—up to 20% more, according to TNO.”

Adjustable Axles
After H2Trac went bankrupt in 2021, two investors took over the company. “The bankruptcy gave us a fresh start and the opportunity to focus on the future,” Charlotte reflects. Today, EOX Tractors consists of a small but dedicated team of specialized engineers in software, electronics, and mechanics.

One unique feature of EOX tractors is their adjustable axles. “Most tractors have fixed axle widths, which limit transport and field efficiency,” Charlotte explains. “Our tractors can extend or retract their axles as needed, improving weight distribution and reducing soil compaction—ultimately leading to higher yields.”

Hydrogen Tractors
“Because our drivetrain is already fully electric, integrating a hydrogen fuel cell was relatively straightforward,” says Charlotte. “This allows us to achieve longer operating times without long charging breaks, which is a major advantage over purely battery-electric tractors. Moreover, hydrogen aligns well with the agricultural sector’s sustainability goals and offers the potential for large-scale emission-free farming.”

Although the technology holds great promise, there is still a long way to go: “Farmers are not yet switching en masse to hydrogen tractors. It’s still difficult to obtain, and farmers need space to store hydrogen,” Charlotte explains. Yet she is confident that hydrogen represents the future: “Our only emission is water. That’s a huge benefit for agriculture, especially given the increasingly strict environmental regulations.”

Hydrogen Refueling Station
Choosing Cleantech Park Arnhem as a base was no coincidence. “Hydrogen is a major focus here; many companies are involved. We can easily use a hydrogen refueling station on the park,” Charlotte notes. Besides the prime location and sustainability focus, Cleantech Park Arnhem offers opportunities to collaborate with other innovative companies: “For example, we use Connectr, a shared, professional office space on the park, which helps us make a good impression when hosting important visitors.”

EOX Tractors also has a test field at Cleantech Park Arnhem: “This field is essential because it allows us to test safely,”

Scientific Research
Currently, EOX Tractors is developing the hydrogen tractor EOX 175H further. The first unit has been sold to a German university, where it’s being used for scientific research on sustainable agriculture. “This collaboration is extremely valuable for us. It provides data and practical experience that help us perfect the product,” Charlotte explains. However, this innovation also brings regulatory challenges. “There are no specific regulations for hydrogen tractors in the Netherlands yet, making the registration process lengthy,” she says. “We are in talks with the RDW [Dutch vehicle authority] about this.”

Robotic Tractors
In addition to hydrogen propulsion, EOX Tractors is increasingly focusing on autonomous vehicles. The company sees great potential in fully self-driving agricultural and infrastructure machines. These vehicles operate without a driver or cabin. A key partner in this autonomous development is Quantillion, specialists in robotics and AI, who apply proven technologies in industrial environments. “With autonomous platforms, we can work more efficiently and save labor, especially during harvest season,” Charlotte says. “These ‘robot tractors’ can perform tasks independently and recharge at the most efficient times. They offer benefits not only for agriculture but also for sectors like mining, forestry, and infrastructure, where autonomous transport solutions could have a huge impact. We are actively exploring these new markets to expand our technology’s reach and contribute to a more sustainable future.”