We Drove the Sonalika Tiger Electric for a Week - Here's the Verdict
By Arvind Nair · 22 May 2026 · 6 min read
Spending a full week with the Sonalika Tiger Electric ST 35 on a mixed vegetable and wheat plot near Ludhiana made two things immediately obvious: the near-silent operation is genuinely pleasant compared to any diesel tractor, and the low running cost per hour is real, not just a marketing claim.
Where the electric tractor shines is short, repeated tasks: rotavator passes on small plots, light cultivator work, or moving implements between fields. A full charge comfortably covered a typical half-day of intermittent use, and the instant torque from the electric motor made it feel notably more responsive off the line than a diesel tractor of similar rated power.
The limitations show up on longer, continuous jobs. A full day of heavy rotavator work on clay soil pushed the battery close to its limit, and charging infrastructure outside of a farmer's own shed connection remains essentially nonexistent in most rural areas. Haulage capability also trails diesel tractors of similar HP, making it a poor fit for farms that regularly move loaded trolleys long distances.
Our verdict: for small and marginal farmers doing short-duration, repetitive fieldwork, the Tiger Electric is a genuinely compelling and low-cost option today. For larger holdings or haulage-heavy operations, diesel remains the more practical choice for now.