Why Switch to Electric Lawn Care?

An electric lawn mower sitting in an open field.

Taking care of our properties traditionally involves a variety of gas-powered equipment like mowers, leaf blowers, trimmers, and more. Most homeowners and property management companies still rely on noisy, smelly, and maintenance-intensive lawn care equipment.

Human-powered push mowers or corded electric models are greener options that may be worth considering for smaller lawns. But for most people, battery-powered lawn care equipment is more appealing, and it’s becoming more popular. Much like what we’ve seen with plug-in electric vehicles over the past ten years, electric lawn equipment is becoming more reliable and affordable.

And it’s not just mowers: There are battery-powered chainsaws, leaf blowers, trimmers, and more. There are currently more than 20 brands, and some offer both home-oriented and professional models suitable for all-day use.

What to expect from electric lawn equipment

There are many manufacturers offering electric lawn care equipment with varying capabilities and price points. Here’s what you can expect from most of these devices:

  1. Easy, reliable start

    Start your device with the touch of a button. No more cord detangling required!

  2. Universal battery packs

    Many manufacturers have swappable battery packs that can be used across a variety of tools.

  3. Convenient charging

    Charging is as easy as plugging into a wall outlet. No more trips to the gas station.

  4. Quiet operation

    Electric lawn care equipment is much quieter than comparable gasoline models. Your neighbors will thank you.

  5. Cost savings

    Electric equipment usually costs more up front compared to gasoline-powered options, but it offers significant cost savings on repair and maintenance. Conventional mowers have hundreds of moving parts that require regular servicing and repairs. Electric mowers, on the other hand, are relatively simple machines that have very few moving parts to wear out or malfunction. Newer lithium-ion battery chemistries and drive motors should remain in service for 10 to 20 years. If they do fail prematurely, they’re relatively easy to replace.

  6. Reduced air pollution

    Because conventional gas and diesel lawn mowers have minimal emission controls, they are widely recognized as a major source of air pollution. According to one EPA study, for every 1 hp rating, a typical lawn mower emits the equivalent air pollution of 3.7 automobiles driving at 55 mph. For every 24-hp mower replaced with a comparable electric mower, it would avoid the equivalent emissions of 88 cars driving at 55 mph per hour of mowing.

Types of electric mowers

The narrower mowing decks and shorter run-times of most battery-powered push mowers make them a good fit for smaller yards. If you have a larger area to mow, there are options for more powerful walk-behind and riding mowers. Here's what to consider when choosing a type of mower.

Battery-powered push mowers

  • Lower cost (starting around $300)
  • Great for smaller lawns
  • Higher voltage models (36+ volts) are available for larger lawns
  • Easier to store than gas models
  • Self-propelled options are available
  • Battery packs can sometimes power other tools
  • Widely available at local hardware stores, home centers, and online

Battery riding mowers

  • More expensive (residential models start around $3,500; commercial models start around $10,000)
  • Residential: one to three hours of runtime (suitable for mowing two to five acres on a single charge)
  • Commercial heavy-duty: seven or more hours of runtime

Incentives for electric lawn equipment

Many Vermonters can get a boost in making the switch to electric lawncare by taking advantage of incentives from their electric utility.

Additional resources