It’s Time to Make the Switch to Electric Lawn Tools—Here’s How to Do It Right
From Sunset.com by Kristin Guy
It’s time to step off the gas and practice mindful maintenance in the garden.
You’ve probably heard that California is making moves to be at the forefront of promoting zero-emission when it comes to lawn care. In fact, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill Number 1346, which phases out the sale of gas-powered leaf blowers, lawn mowers, and other small off-road engines, and it went into effect January 1, 2024. While this switch seems like a no-brainer to reduce air pollution, emissions, and noise pollution, there are definitely a few drawbacks that are causing hesitation for both consumers and the landscaping industry.
Price and additional waste filling our landfills are concerns, so should you still swap out your gas guzzlers for something a little more eco-minded? Absolutely. Read on for the pros, the cons, and recommendations as to which electric leaf blowers are the best options for your particular garden needs.
Benefits of Electric Leaf Blowers
Providing a cleaner and quieter alternative to gas-powered mowers, the main benefit of going electric is that you no longer produce air pollutants, burn any fuel or oil, or wake up your neighbors at 7:30 a.m. on a Saturday. Speaking of noise, traditional gas-powered mowers can produce noise levels of up to 90-112 decibels, which can cause hearing damage, not to mention negatively affect nearby wildlife. I think the most alarming fact I’ve read is how one hour of using a gas leaf blower is equal to driving 1,100 miles. If that isn’t a reason to step off the gas, I don’t know what is.