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India introduces IS 19262:2025, the first testing standard for electric farm tractors, improving safety, performance, trust, and clean mechanisation adoption across Indian agriculture.
India’s first dedicated test code for electric farm tractors.
Released on National Consumer Day 2025 in New Delhi.
Covers performance, safety, vibration, and component testing.
Builds farmer trust and supports fair competition.
Aligns farming with clean mobility and climate goals.
India has taken a major step towards clean and modern farming with the launch of IS 19262:2025 – Electric Agricultural Tractors: Test Code. The new Indian Standard was formally released by Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on National Consumer Day 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. This is the country’s first dedicated testing benchmark for electric tractors and signals the next phase of sustainable farm mechanisation.
IS 19262:2025 is a testing standard developed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for electric agricultural tractors. It clearly defines how electric tractors should be tested and evaluated before entering the market. The focus is on safety, performance, durability, and reliability rather than pricing or subsidies.
Electric tractors operate very differently from diesel tractors as they use batteries, electric motors, and power electronics. Existing diesel tractor test codes were not suitable for this technology. The absence of a uniform testing framework had created confusion around performance claims and limited farmer confidence. IS 19262:2025 fills this long-standing regulatory gap.
The new test code introduces uniform terminology and structured testing methods, including:
Drawbar performance to assess pulling capacity
PTO power testing for running farm implements
Belt and pulley efficiency checks
Vibration and operational stability tests
Inspection of major components such as batteries, motors, wiring, cooling systems, and structural parts
These procedures ensure electric tractors are tested for real farm working conditions.
IS 19262:2025 is based on IS 5994:2022 (Agricultural Tractors – Test Code) and relevant Automotive Industry Standards for electric vehicles, modified for agricultural use. The tests will be conducted through authorised testing institutes, helping standardise performance claims and improve market trust.
The standard was developed after extensive consultation with electric tractor manufacturers, testing agencies, research institutions, and farmer groups. Key contributors included the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, ICAR–CIAE Bhopal, CFMTTI Budni, ARAI Pune, the Tractor and Mechanization Association, and the All India Farmers Alliance.
For manufacturers, the standard offers regulatory clarity, fair competition, and easier certification. For policymakers, it provides a scientific base to design future incentives, procurement policies, and acceptance criteria for electric farm machinery.
Farmers gain greater confidence as tractors tested under a recognised standard are more reliable and safer. Uniform testing also makes it easier to compare electric tractor models and reduces the risk of poor purchasing decisions.
Electric tractors still face hurdles such as high upfront cost, limited rural charging infrastructure, low awareness, and suitability for heavy-duty farming. While IS 19262:2025 does not directly solve these issues, it builds a strong technical foundation for long-term adoption.
Electric tractors offer zero tailpipe emissions, lower running costs, less noise, and reduced dependence on diesel. The new standard helps position them as practical, test-validated solutions aligned with India’s climate and clean mobility goals.
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IS 19262:2025 marks a turning point for electric farm mechanisation in India. By setting clear and uniform testing rules, the standard builds trust among farmers, manufacturers, and policymakers. While electric tractors are still at an early stage, this move ensures they are safe, reliable, and field-ready. Over time, the standard will help electric tractors become a credible and sustainable choice for Indian agriculture.