Taiwanese manufacturing giant Hon Hai Technology Group (better known as Foxconn) has announced the start of production of the all-electric Monarch MK-V tractor on behalf of the California start up.
The two companies say the MK-V is the first fully electric, “driver-optional” smart tractor. The first five tractors rolled off the production line this week and will be delivered to customers.
“We’re sold out for the majority of this year, and we’re scaling up here, pretty, pretty significantly over the next couple of months” said Mark Schwager, the co-founder of Monarch Tractors.
Fellow co-founder Carlo Mondavi said: “We’re independent. We’re able to help get into the energy business and we’re able to help protect our planet while we migrate away from fossil fuels.”
In June 2022, Foxconn signed a contract manufacturing agreement (CMA) with Zimeno Inc. D/B/A Monarch Tractor (“Monarch Tractor”) to build Monarch Tractor’s next-generation agricultural equipment and battery packs at the Foxconn Ohio facility.
“We’re very pleased with the product quality ahead of full-rate production,” said Foxconn Technology Group in a statement.
“This milestone is achieved thanks to our employees and the strength of our ongoing partnership with Monarch Tractor. Foxconn prides itself on our partnerships, and we believe the shared goal of promoting sustainability and safety in agriculture is one of the many reasons we have found the right partner in Monarch Tractor.”
The company says that the MK-V enables clean, efficient and economically viable solutions for today’s farmers and the generations of farmers to come.
The company says the MK-V is a “smart tractor” that combines electrification, automation, and data analysis to help farmers reduce their carbon footprint, improve field safety, streamline farming operations, and increase their bottom lines.
In a press release the company says that new tractor is also safer than traditional tractors. “the MK-V also includes technology that will help prevent farm-related injuries whether the tractor is being driven or performing driverless tasks.
“Each MK-V is produced with collision prevention, human detection, and power take-off (PTO) protection. The tractor will stop moving if it detects a human within six feet of the tractor, and the PTO will automatically shut off if the system detects a person within one foot of the PTO.”
The MK-V has a 52 kW motor can run for 14 hours on a single charge. More specifications can be found on the company’s website.
Daniel Bleakley is a clean technology researcher and advocate with a background in engineering and business. He has a strong interest in electric vehicles, renewable energy, manufacturing and public policy.
