Wacky styling isn’t the only novelty to be found on New Holland’s latest prototype 7m/4.2t telehandler.

Rather than a traditional diesel engine, the TH Hybrid Power harnesses both electricity and natural gas to develop 154hp of tractive power and 112hp to run the hydraulic pump.

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Batteries and electric motors are the main source of propulsion, offering up to four hours of run time on medium-duty tasks.

But for hard work, or when the batteries have lost their oomph, a 2.8-litre, four-cylinder FPT engine steps in.

© MAG/Oliver Mark

This runs on compressed natural gas, providing supplementary power for the motors and to recharge the cells.

Regular mains fast charging is possible too, allowing those with on-farm electricity production to exploit their own supply.

New Holland says the hybrid handler can work a full day to a charge and more than match the performance of its diesel counterparts.

In fact, tests carried out by the firm showed that it delivered 30% better performance while cutting energy use by 70%.