The arrival of electric tractors will “revolutionise the lives of farmers” by slashing running costs and ushering in a new chapter for Indian agriculture, Maharashtra transport minister Pratap Sarnaik said at the weekend.

Speaking at Thane’s Regional Transport Office (RTO), where the first e tractor was officially registered, Sarnaik announced that buyers will qualify for a subsidy of about Rs 0.15 million under the Maharashtra State Electric Vehicle Policy 2025, along with interest free loans from the state run Annasaheb Patil Economic Development Corporation.

Switching from diesel to electricity reduces operational expenses by roughly 60–70 per cent, he noted. “Ploughing one acre costs Rs 1,200–1,500 with a diesel tractor, but only about Rs 300 with an e tractor,” the minister said, predicting a profound impact on farm economics nationwide.