Electric machinery is no longer a vision of the future for the tree nursery industry. Gebr. Ezendam proves it with the new Globus MET01 E-Trike compact – a three-wheel drive tool carrier combining power, agility and sustainability. While the machine will take centre stage at GrootGroenPlus, it has already proven itself in practice.

Christmas tree grower Everlo, based in Panningen, started using the MET01 E-Trike this summer. Owner Jeroen Voorter explains: ‘Our previous e-trike needed replacing. We want to rely less on chemical weed control and focus more on mechanical methods. The new trike has three driven wheels, stronger batteries and improved weight distribution, allowing us to hoe for longer and more efficiently. After a few hours of charging, we can get straight back to work.’

With a track width of 75 cm – adjustable between 75 and 120 cm – the E-Trike fits a wide range of cultivation systems. Voorter uses the machine not only for hoeing, but also for low-volume spraying (LvS), fertilising and light transport. ‘It’s a multi-purpose tool that fits our operation perfectly. Mechanical weed control requires more attention and precision, but the results are better for both soil and crop,’ he says. ‘And a well-hoed field simply looks great.’

The Globus MET01 E-Trike compact features a central front wheel drive, three maintenance-free brushless motors (48 volts, 550 watts) and a lightweight lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery pack. This technology is safer, more durable and low-maintenance. The batteries have a lifespan of up to 5,000 charge cycles and contain no heavy metals such as cobalt or nickel. The E-Trike reaches speeds of up to 6 km/h and can be equipped for hoeing, fertilising or spraying applications.

Sustainability also plays a role in how growers operate. ‘The machine is fully electric and completely silent,’ says Voorter. ‘We charge it using power from our own solar panels. Our employees enjoy using it – they hear the birds instead of an engine. And honestly, hoeing has become much more enjoyable work than spraying.’

The E-Trike reflects the core philosophy of Gebr. Ezendam and its brand Globus: to develop practical innovations that help growers work more efficiently, cleanly and sustainably. ‘We see a strong trend towards emission-free mechanisation,’ says an Ezendam representative. ‘With machines like the MET01, we’re providing a concrete answer to the growing demand for sustainable solutions.’