Understanding the opportunities and challenges of self-driving, electric field tractors using dynamic discrete-event simulation

There is increasing interest in the application of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) for fieldwork in the agricultural sector. Self-driving systems are proposed as a solution to the challenges of BEVs and as a way to realise the opportunities created by them. To investigate the characteristics of systems with self-driving BEVs, a discrete-event model of a Swedish grain farm using small, self-driving BEVs for fieldwork was used for simulations. The results showed adequate capacity compared to diesel counterparts, as well as lower annual costs, weight and energy use. The results also showed the need for a well-dimensioned system and that a certain energy carrying capacity was needed in order to complete the allotted tasks in a reasonable time. The study concluded that when combined with autonomous drive, BEVs for fieldwork in an agricultural setting show great promise.