Driving Change – Ireland’s First Electric Tractor is Built in Cork | Season 5 – Episode 72
Wheels Sep 12, 2025
Hibra Design is a Cork-based specialist vehicle engineering development company. The company is unique in the Irish market as it provides clients with a full spectrum of vehicle engineering services; from full ground-up, bespoke vehicle development, through to the re-engineering of existing vehicles with clean-technology powertrain systems.
The Founder’s Journey
Hibra Design was founded in 2022 by Mike Keane after a 20+ year career in automotive development, working on a variety of vehicle programmes for Ford, Nissan, Liebherr, Land Rover, and Jaguar, including former stints as Head of Mechanical Engineering for Williams F1 Advanced Engineering and Technical Lead on multiple prototype vehicles.
Mike has developed road vehicles, HGV, LGV, industrial, off-highway, motorsport, and public transportation systems, across electric, hybrid, internal combustion, and hydrogen fuel cell platforms.
Growth, Reach & Award
In less than three years since its inception, Hibra Design has successfully secured programmes for public and private sector clients in Ireland, the EU, the Middle East, and South Africa. The company has already been recognised with multiple industry awards, including Electric Vehicle Pioneer of the Year 2025, the Product and Manufacturing Gold Award at the 2024 National Start-Up Awards, and Enterprise Ireland’s Prep4Seed One-To-Watch 2023.
World Class Talent
Under Mike’s leadership, Hibra Design has assembled an engineering team with extensive experience in Formula 1, automotive, and aerospace industries. Their breadth and depth of expertise are demonstrated in the diverse range of vehicle programmes currently in development, including road vehicles, non-road mobile machinery, marine projects, and aircraft.
Innovative Engineering
The Hibra Design office is equipped with state-of-the-art design engineering programmes, complemented by internally-developed software systems. Its dedicated vehicle workshop enables the build of bespoke prototypes to the highest standards.
Game-Changing EV Technology
Hibra Design provides clients with access to its internally-developed EV analysis software, HDS (Hibra Design System). This tool allows companies to rapidly determine the cost and technical feasibility of engineering bespoke EV solutions for their fleets.
Ireland’s First Full-Size Electric Tractor
At the Ploughing Championships in September 2025, Hibra Design will present a groundbreaking project to the public – Ireland’s first operational full-size electric tractor.
Commissioned by Bord na Móna (BNM), Hibra Design re-engineered a John Deere agricultural tractor from diesel power to full battery-electric power. Specifically designed for use in the extreme conditions of Irish peatlands, the tractor enables BNM operators to access hard-to-reach areas. Delivering 400Nm+ torque and powered by a 55kWh battery, it achieves a continuous runtime of up to 2.5 hours with a rapid recharge capability of 1 hour.
The tractor will be deployed by BNM for a variety of uses, including bogland rewetting and Sphagnum moss planting. It can also function as a mobile energy source, enabling battery-operated drones to recharge in the field.
Complex Engineering
The project required 13 months in total, with the first nine months dedicated to design and engineering. Unlike the electric conversions of classic cars, this vehicle demanded a particularly complex engineering approach. Modern vehicle engines and transmissions operate through highly integrated computer control systems. Hibra Design’s capabilities enabled the full integration of the new electric powertrain control system with the existing tractor systems. Mechanically, the project required seamless integration of the existing 4WD transmission and PTO while preserving full hydraulic functionality.
The final four months were spent on intensive build and testing, preparing the tractor for the demanding conditions of the bog. This project stands as a prime example of Hibra Design’s competency and capability in developing bespoke and speciality vehicle solutions.
See It for Yourself
Visitors can view this pioneering Hibra Design tractor at the Enterprise Ireland Innovation Arena during the Ploughing Championships.
Check out our previous Hibra Design stories:
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