Can EV Tractors Transform Indian Agriculture? Meet the Startup Leading the Charge!

For years, India’s farmlands have echoed with the familiar rumble of diesel-powered tractors - machines that haven’t changed much in decades, even as cities leapfrogged into the electric age. While electric bikes, cars, and even buses zipped into the mainstream, a key question remained unanswered: When will agriculture, the heart of India, get its electric moment?

That moment may finally be here.

At the Startup Mahakumbh – Second Edition, TICE sat down with Prashanth N, Head of Channels & GTM and Co-founder of Moonrider, a Bengaluru-based startup that’s building India’s first tech-enabled electric tractors. From a spark of inspiration in Gujarat to pilot deployments in Africa, Moonrider’s journey is a fascinating tale of how innovation can truly take root, even in the soil.

EV Magic in Agriculture

Moonrider was born out of a fundamental question posed by a forward-thinking farmer:

“When the world is going electric — from bikes to buses — why not tractors?”

That question sparked a vision in the minds of Moonrider’s founders, Amup and Ravi, who decided to reimagine tractors for the 21st century. What started with farmer conversations in Gujarat has now become a fully-fledged EV innovation story.

“Farmers are the backbone of the country,” said Prashanth. “But is technology really reaching them? That’s what we aimed to change.”

Building the 'Big Monster': Tech Behind Moonrider's EV Tractor

Moonrider’s flagship tractor features a massive 88 kWh battery, weighing around 600–700 kg — a spec that works to the tractor’s advantage by increasing ground grip and operational stability across diverse terrains.

“In tractors, more weight means better traction. Our battery becomes part of the strength,” Prashanth explained.

The tractor can run 6–7 hours on a single full charge and can be charged either overnight on a slow charger, or in under 45 minutes using DC fast charging — an impressive feat for a heavy-duty farm vehicle.

Cleared for the Fields: Compliance and Homologation

The journey from prototype to market isn’t easy, especially in the tightly regulated EV space. Moonrider is already working through India’s homologation process, which ensures all compliance checks for commercial deployment are met.

“We aim to complete homologation by next month, and within two months post that, we’ll be ready for full-scale production,” Prashanth said confidently.

From 300 Sq. Ft. to 25,000 Sq. Ft.: A True Startup Climb

Moonrider’s humble beginnings trace back to a 300 sq. ft. space on the outskirts of Bengaluru, with a team of passionate automobile engineers. Today, it boasts a 25,000 sq. ft. facility in a prime location in the city.

“Thanks to our early investors and bootstrap team who believed in us, we’re now ready for scale,” said Prashanth, proud of their startup’s journey.

Moonrider has already exported its first EV tractor to Africa, with a successful pilot in Nairobi, Kenya.

“There, even women drive tractors,” shared Prashanth. “One woman entrepreneur was shocked to find a tractor that doesn’t roar, pollute, or vibrate. She drove it for two straight hours and didn’t want to get off.”

This pilot not only validated Moonrider’s global potential but also revealed a unique market need in emerging economies.

The startup is now in active discussions with multiple African distributors and aims to scale up international exports soon.

Moonrider’s mission is clear — electrify Indian agriculture, make farming smarter, quieter, and cleaner, and eventually take this innovation to global farmlands.

With production plans, homologation near completion, and a strong narrative around climate-friendly innovation, Moonrider is positioning itself as a torchbearer of India’s EV push into agriculture.

As Prashanth signed off, he left with a hopeful message:

“We are building something for India’s farmers — and for the world. We hope to reach every Indian farm very soon.”