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LIFEATENA | Innovation electrified for heroic agriculture

LIFEATENA is a project co-financed by the European Union under the LIFE program and coordinated by Antonio Carraro. Launched in 2022 and concluded in 2024, the project aims to contribute to the transition towards a more efficient viticulture through the development of electrified solutions dedicated to heroic and specialized agriculture.

The heart of the project is the creation of a modular platform for the electrification of compact isodiametric tractors, designed to preserve the technical performance, aesthetics and dimensions of the conventional vehicles, while integrating new solutions with low or zero direct emissions.

Tests and prototypes: concrete results

LIFEATENA has marked a decisive step towards low-emission viticulture with the start of field tests in the heroic vineyards of Conegliano Valdobbiadene. The two prototypes of new-generation electrified tractors were presented on April 11, 2024, during the final monitoring visit, in the presence of Agnese Roccato (Project Monitor) and Mario Lionetti (Project Officer) for the European Union.

The prototypes developed and tested are:
  • a full hybrid model, which allows a 30% reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to traditional tractors;
  • a full electric model, designed to completely eliminate direct emissions (-100%).

The tractors were tested together with five specially designed electrified equipment: leaf remover, trimmer, pre-pruner, sprayer, and cultivator. All solutions are designed to minimize the use of lubricants and reduce the risk of spillage onto the ground.
The tests also showed a significant reduction in noise pollution, improving the working conditions of operators and reducing the impact in environmentally sensitive agricultural contexts.
Field trials took place at three representative farms of the Consorzio di Tutela del Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG (Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG Protection Consortium) and will continue also in the coming months.

An innovation network between industry, research and territory

LIFEATENA was developed by a technical and scientific partnership composed of:
Ecothea – a startup from the Politecnico di Torino (Polytechnic University of Turin), responsible for the design and prototyping of electrified tractors;

ERO GmbH – a company specialized in the development of winemaking equipment compatible with electrical systems;

Consorzio di Tutela del Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG (Consortium for the Protection of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG), for the experimentation in real and representative vineyards.

In 2023, Antonio Carraro started two collaborations with the Polytechnic University of Turin:
  • a research agreement for the functional and environmental evaluation of prototypes;
  • a co-funded PhD scholarship, focused on the electrification of agricultural tractors and the design of innovative transmissions.

Share knowledge to nurture the change

The LIFEATENA project has shown that it is possible to innovate while respecting farmers' needs and improving environmental efficiency. The project concluded with a final event on July 3, 2024, at CIRVE – Centro Interdipartimentale per la Ricercar in Viticoltura ed Enologia (Interdepartmental Center for Research in Viticulture and Oenology) in Conegliano. This event provided an opportunity to present the results, observe the solutions developed in action, and share concrete perspectives for the future of agricultural mechanization.