Trials in Germany work to expedite simplified emissions approval for B100 in tractors

Photo: CLAAS

The German trade association for oilseed and protein plants UFOP welcomed Aug. 28 a cooperation project currently being launched between Straubing, Germany-based Technology and Promotion Centre for Renewable Raw Materials (TFZ) and ag-machinery manufacturer CLAAS to develop a test procedure for the simplified emissions approval of existing agricultural machinery running on 100 percent biodiesel (B100).

“Large tractors cannot be electrified in a practical way, as the laws of physics set clear limits in this regard,” UFOP stated. “For example, the CLAAS Xerion, with 1,400 litres of diesel in its tank, would need to carry roughly 28 metric tons of batteries—with a volume of around 14 cubic meters—in its electric version in order to perform the same amount of work without recharging.”

According to TFZ, the purpose of the test-bench investigations is to establish a robust and reproducible data set regarding legally limited air-pollutant emissions.

Should the methodology developed as part of this project prove to be fundamentally transferable to existing machinery, there is the possibility of accelerated type-approval or authorization for the use of B100.

From UFOP’s perspective, this would enable the conversion of many types of machinery to a certified renewable fuel and, above all, accelerate the transition in the interests of climate protection.

UFOP said it takes this project as an opportunity to draw attention to the German federal government’s 2026 climate-protection program.

This program explicitly provides for “a simplification of type-approval procedures for machinery with biogenic or electric drives.”

Responsibility lies with the federal ministry for the environment (BMUKN), which must approve the expected relatively low-administration and cost-saving methodology for its application under regulatory law.

The agricultural-machinery manufacturer CLAAS has provided a large tractor for this purpose.

Germany’s 2026 climate-protection program lists the following measures under the heading “Transition of mobile fuel use to electricity and biofuels”:

• Removal of tax disadvantages for biofuels.

• Simplified type-approval procedures for machinery with biogenic or electric powertrains.

• Clear registration regulations for the use of alternative fuels in existing machinery.

• Legally binding definitions and standards for the quality and origin of the fuels used.

• Continuation and expansion of investment support for electric powertrains and the retrofitting or purchase of agricultural machinery for the use of biofuels.

• Promotion of the demonstration of machinery with renewable powertrains.

The removal of the tax disadvantage for biofuels would have the most effective impact on the transition, according to UFOP.

At the same time, renewable powertrains (biofuel and electric) would be treated equally under energy tax law.

A draft energy-tax directive provides for a corresponding provision.

The necessary decision by the council of finance ministers on harmonized support within the EU, which would also send a signal setting the direction for the agricultural-machinery industry, is still pending.

UFOP said Germany’s federal government must therefore take the lead with a national regulation.