EAST LANSING, Mich. — In an indoor horseback riding ring last month, several farmers got ready to test drive a new piece of equipment: an electric tractor.

As they took turns climbing in, they gave real-time feedback to the Michigan State University researchers who have developed it for more than two years.

The farmers remarked on the motor's quiet whir. Some were surprised by its quick acceleration. Most were intrigued, or at least open to the idea. Some were concerned the battery on the underside of the carriage would mean a lower clearance over the field, while others worried the tractor would be too expensive.

"What we hope to do when we retire is we want to get everything electric on the farm. The tractor is the last electric implement to get," said Don Dunklee, one of the farmers.

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