Sonalika Expands Tiger Electric Lineup With 4WD Variant

Sonalika, India's first company to bring an electric tractor to market, has now launched a 4WD version of its Tiger Electric ST 35. The new variant keeps the same 35 HP-equivalent motor and battery pack as the original 2WD model but adds drive to the front axle for better traction on loose or waterlogged fields.

Company executives say the 4WD option was the most requested feature from existing electric tractor owners, particularly those farming in paddy-growing regions where wheel slip is a common complaint with 2WD machines. The battery still takes roughly six to eight hours to charge on a standard single-phase connection.

Pricing for the 4WD variant sits around 6.1 lakh rupees, a modest premium over the 2WD model. Sonalika has also announced plans to expand charging infrastructure partnerships with rural electrification cooperatives in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh over the coming year.

While electric tractor adoption remains a small fraction of overall sales, the segment has grown steadily as farmers weigh the lower running costs against diesel price volatility.