India introduces test code standard for electric agricultural tractors

Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri Pralhad Joshi, released the Indian Standard IS 19262:2025 – “Electric Agricultural Tractors — Test Code” on the occasion of National Consumer Day 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The standard has been developed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to provide uniform testing procedures for electric agricultural tractors.

IS 19262:2025 specifies terminology, general requirements, and test methods for evaluating electric agricultural tractors. The scope includes testing of power take-off (PTO) power, drawbar power, belt and pulley performance, vibration measurement, verification of specifications, and inspection of components and assemblies.

The standard has been developed with reference to IS 5994:2022 – “Agricultural tractors — Test code” and relevant Automotive Industry Standards applicable to electric vehicles, adapted for agricultural use. Implementation of the standard through authorised testing agencies is expected to enable consistent assessment of electric agricultural tractors.

Test data generated under IS 19262:2025 is intended to support evaluation of performance and safety parameters. The data may also be used for the development of future acceptance criteria and conformity assessment systems specific to electric tractors. The standard aims to provide a structured testing framework for manufacturers and users.

Electric agricultural tractors operate using electric motors powered by battery systems instead of internal combustion engines. Developments in battery technology, electric motors, and power electronics have supported their use in agricultural applications. Electric tractors do not produce tailpipe emissions during operation and have fewer mechanical components compared to diesel-powered tractors. These characteristics may influence operating and maintenance requirements and reduce diesel consumption in agricultural activities.

Prior to the notification of this standard, the absence of dedicated testing protocols created challenges in consistent assessment of electric tractor performance and safety. Based on a request from the Mechanization & Technology Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, BIS initiated the development of a dedicated Indian Standard for electric agricultural tractors.

The formulation process involved inputs from electric tractor manufacturers, testing and certification bodies, research and academic institutions, and technical experts in the fields of agricultural engineering and electric mobility. Stakeholders included representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (GoI), ICAR–Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering (Bhopal), Central Farm Machinery Training and Testing Institute (Budni), Tractor and Mechanization Association (New Delhi), Automotive Research Association of India (Pune), and All India Farmers Alliance (New Delhi).

The standard has been notified as a voluntary document and adds to India’s standardisation framework for electric agricultural machinery.

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