Follow India Renewable Energy News on WhatsApp for exclusive updates on clean energy news and insights

Kubota Unveils World’s First Hydrogen-Powered, Self-Driving Tractor at World Expo 2025

Japan’s Kubota Corporation has introduced the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell tractor with autonomous driving capabilities at the World Expo 2025 in Osaka. This breakthrough aims to address two pressing agricultural challenges—decarbonization and labor shortages.

The 100-horsepower tractor is powered by a hydrogen fuel cell stack and can operate for nearly half a day on a single refueling. Unlike traditional tractors, it has no driver’s seat and relies on AI-based cameras for obstacle detection, halting automatically if needed. It can also be remotely controlled and monitored, offering efficiency in regions like Japan where the farming workforce is rapidly aging.

This new model builds on Kubota’s earlier prototype unveiled last year, which had 60 horsepower and four hours of runtime. That version incorporated Toyota’s Mirai fuel cell technology and proved effective in farm trials.

Hydrogen fuel cells emit only water and heat, providing a zero-emission alternative with faster refueling and longer uptime compared to battery-electric tractors. Kubota confirmed that field trials will soon begin to move the innovation towards commercial deployment.

By combining AI autonomy with hydrogen power, Kubota’s tractor marks a bold leap toward sustainable, smart agriculture with global potential.