ZAPI GROUP unveils advanced high-voltage solutions for electric agricultural vehicles – Charged EVs

ZAPI GROUP to Showcase Advanced Electrification Solutions Aligned with Sustainable Development Goals at Agritechnica 2025

Executive Summary

ZAPI GROUP has announced the forthcoming presentation of its latest integrated high-voltage electrification solutions for the agricultural sector at Agritechnica 2025 in Hannover, Germany. Scheduled for November 9-15, the unveiling will focus on technologies designed to advance the development of next-generation electric and networked agricultural machinery. These innovations directly support several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to climate action, sustainable production, clean energy, and industry innovation.

Technological Innovations and Contribution to SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

The showcased technologies represent a significant advancement in industrial electrification, fostering innovation (SDG 9) within the agricultural equipment sector. The integrated platform moves beyond component-level design to create holistic, high-voltage architectures that enhance efficiency and digital capability. Key components include:

• IMI Permanent Magnet Motor: An integrated motor and inverter unit designed for high power density and streamlined integration, promoting efficient and innovative machinery design.
• 7.2 kW On-Board Charger: A liquid-cooled, high-power charger compatible with 400 V and 800 V systems, facilitating the adoption of clean energy infrastructure.
• OBC Bidirectional (V2X) Charger: Enables vehicle-to-everything energy sharing, a critical innovation for building resilient and smart energy grids in rural and agricultural settings.
• DCC3 DC-DC Converter: Features integrated cybersecurity, building secure and resilient digital infrastructure for modern agricultural vehicles.
• ACH3 Inverter Portfolio: Offers flexible and durable power conversion for a range of electrified industrial applications, supporting the broader transition to sustainable industrial systems.

Advancing Climate Action and Clean Energy (SDG 13 & SDG 7)

The transition to high-voltage electric systems in agriculture is a direct contribution to SDG 13 (Climate Action) by reducing the sector’s reliance on fossil fuels and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. The solutions also promote SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) through:

1. Enhanced Energy Efficiency: The integrated systems are engineered for “verifiable, smart efficiency,” minimizing energy waste during operation.
2. Support for Smart Grids: The V2X capability allows agricultural machinery to function as mobile energy storage units, contributing to grid stability and facilitating greater use of renewable energy sources.
3. High-Power Charging: The development of powerful and versatile on-board chargers accelerates the feasibility and adoption of electric vehicles in demanding agricultural environments.

Enhancing Food Security and Sustainable Production (SDG 2 & SDG 12)

According to Claes Avasjo, Executive Director of ZAPI GROUP, the strategic goal is to create “networked, sustainable machinery required to meet the increasing productivity and efficiency challenges of global crop production.” This objective directly aligns with core SDG principles:

• SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): By improving the efficiency and productivity of agricultural operations, these technologies help ensure stable and sustainable food production systems to feed a growing global population.
• SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): The emphasis on smart efficiency and integrated digital systems, including telematics and collision avoidance, promotes more precise and less wasteful agricultural practices, ensuring sustainable production patterns.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • The article connects to this goal by focusing on technology designed to “meet the increasing productivity and efficiency challenges of global crop production.” Enhancing agricultural efficiency is crucial for ensuring food security and ending hunger.
2. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
   • The core topic is the electrification of agricultural machinery using “high-voltage electrification solutions.” This represents a shift away from fossil fuels towards cleaner energy sources and emphasizes “smart efficiency,” which aligns with the goal of improving energy efficiency.
3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
   • The article is centered on industrial innovation, detailing new technologies like integrated inverters, V2X chargers, and cybersecurity for vehicles. This supports the goal of upgrading industries with “sustainable machinery” and “clean and environmentally sound technologies.”
4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • By developing “sustainable machinery” that provides “verifiable, smart efficiency,” the technology promotes more sustainable production patterns in agriculture. This contributes to the efficient use of resources in food production.
5. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • The transition from traditional combustion engines to electric power in heavy machinery like agricultural vehicles is a direct action to mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the agricultural sector.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production.
   • The article directly addresses this by introducing “networked, sustainable machinery required to meet the increasing productivity and efficiency challenges of global crop production.”
2. Target 7.3: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.
   • The technology’s focus on “integrated, high-voltage architectures that provide verifiable, smart efficiency” and components designed for “high power density” directly contributes to improving energy efficiency in the agricultural sector.
3. Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies.
   • The article describes the core of this target by presenting an “electrification platform” that enables OEMs to create “sustainable machinery,” thus upgrading the agricultural industry with cleaner technology.
4. Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
   • The emphasis on “smart efficiency” in the new machinery implies a more efficient use of energy, which is a key natural resource in modern agriculture.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Implied Indicator for Target 2.4: Agricultural productivity/efficiency.
   • Progress can be measured by tracking increases in crop yield per unit of energy or labor, which the article suggests its technology will improve by addressing “productivity and efficiency challenges.”
2. Implied Indicator for Target 7.3: Energy efficiency of agricultural machinery.
   • The article’s focus on “smart efficiency” and “high power density” components implies that a key metric for success would be the reduction in energy consumption (kWh) per hectare of land worked compared to traditional machinery.
3. Implied Indicator for Target 9.4: Adoption rate of electric and sustainable agricultural technology.
   • The article discusses enabling OEMs to create this machinery. A relevant indicator would be the proportion of new agricultural vehicles sold that are electric or the level of investment by OEMs in such “electrification platforms.”
4. Implied Indicator for Target 13 (related to the overall shift): Reduction of CO2 emissions from the agricultural sector.
   • While not explicitly stated, the primary benefit of electrifying vehicles is the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, a key indicator for measuring the impact of this technology would be the tons of CO2 emissions avoided by replacing diesel-powered machinery.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: chargedevs.com