Should You Make The Move From Gas To Battery-Powered Electric Equipment?

16 Feb 2021Power Equipment

Est. Read Time: 7 minutes

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Stihl fsa 90 r battery powered power equipment mckinney

In recent years, there’s been a significant push to find more environmentally friendly alternatives to gasoline-powered lawn equipment. Typically, this means cordless electric equipment powered by lithium-ion batteries. (There are also corded models available, but they’re not the focus of this post.) Switching from gasoline to battery power means no more engine emissions, which makes battery-powered lawn equipment a “green” choice.

Of course, engine emissions aren’t the only concern when choosing whether or not to make the move from gas to electric. There are many other pros and cons to take into consideration. The decision you make will depend on how you plan to use the tools, whether you’re working around your home or using the equipment in your business, the size of your budget, and a host of other factors that we’ll be looking at in today’s blog post.

Stihl fsa 90 r battery powered power equipment mckinney

Homeowner vs. Commercial

If you’re a homeowner, making the switch to electric will be fairly simple. There are plenty of battery-powered options on the market for equipment that’s just as powerful as comparable gasoline-powered models designed for homeowners. The lighter weight and quiet running is a big plus while working around your yard. And, unless you have an enormous property, the run times shouldn’t be too limiting for what you want to do. Since you’re at home, recharging batteries is simple. It’d be very easy to have a spare battery on the charger while you’re working.

If you’re using lawn equipment in commercial applications, making the switch to battery-powered equipment is a bit more challenging. Thanks to modern lithium-ion technology, battery-powered equipment can offer power and performance comparable to commercial-grade gasoline models. Large battery packs, like STIHL’s backpack batteries, offer the longer run times that you’ll need to handle larger jobs. Still, you’ll either need to carry enough charged batteries to cover every job that day or find ways to charge on the go if you’re going to keep up with the demands of commercial landscaping.

As we go through a list of reasons you might consider making the move from gas-powered to battery-powered, keep in mind how you plan to use the equipment. You’ll weigh the pros and cons differently if you’re a homeowner with a small yard than if you’re a commercial lawn care worker with several properties to manage each day.

Battery-Powered Perks

In addition to doing away with engine exhaust, the switch to battery-power has a few other perks. Battery-powered equipment is …

  • Quiet. Electric motors are much quieter than gasoline models. For both homeowners and professionals, this is a big plus if you’re working in a noise-restricted area. In some areas, electric equipment might be the only option that’s quiet enough. The lower noise level also means that there’s much less danger of damaging your hearing while working with lawn equipment.
  • Light-weight. Even with the weight of a battery, electric equipment tends to be much lighter than gasoline models. For commercial applications or homeowners who want longer run-times, brands like STIHL give you the option to put the larger batteries on your belt or use a backpack battery to take the weight off your hands.
  • Easy-use. Electric models are easy to start and easy to use. The lower weight and reduced vibration also make them more comfortable to work with.
  • Simple maintenance. Without an engine to worry about, there’s a whole lot less maintenance with electrical equipment. No more changing spark plugs or fuel filters; no more stabilizing or draining the fuel before storage. You just need to keep them clean and store them in a dry location.
  • Storage. Battery-powered models tend to be smaller than gasoline equipment, which makes them easier to store. For professionals, this also means they save space on your equipment trailer. You can also store them in more places, even inside your home, since there are no gasoline fumes or leaks to worry about.
  • Healthy. Gasoline emissions aren’t any better for the operator than they are for the environment. Battery-powered equipment means you don’t have to work with smelly, dangerous fuel or breath in gasoline emissions anymore.

With all these reasons to choose battery-power, you might wonder why anyone is still using gasoline engines. But not every type of equipment works equally well in battery-powered form. There are also some pros to gasoline equipment that can make that a good choice in certain situations.

The Case for Gasoline-Power

Most homeowners that have fairly small yards will be happy with battery-powered equipment. But if you’re a homeowner with a large property or a professional managing several properties, there are some things about gas-powered equipment that can make them an appealing option.

  • More power. Modern battery-powered equipment can provide quite a bit of power, but not always enough to tackle more daunting tasks like overgrown weeds or large lawns.
  • Wider selection. Only a limited selection of brands offer battery-powered versions of larger equipment like zero-turn mowers. There’s a wide range of battery-powered options for smaller equipment like string-line trimmers, but for more powerful equipment gas gives you more options.
  • Wider price range. If you just want a very basic piece of equipment, lower-end gasoline models tend to be less expensive than battery-powered options.
  • Easy refueling. Unless you have plenty of extra batteries that you can recharge easily, it’s easier to simply refuel a gasoline engine and keep working. Also, if you run out of fuel while on a job you just need to run to the nearest gas station.

Many of the modern gasoline-powered equipment options also incorporate new technology that makes them quieter and more environmentally friendly than older models. They’ll still run louder than electric equipment and let off engine emissions but they are much better than they used to be.

How Do You Make A Decision?

Stihl HSA 56 battery powered hedge trimmers mckinneyIf you’re a homeowner with a fairly small yard, then it’ll be easy to find electric versions of a walk-behind mower and string-line trimmer to take care of your lawn. You can also get battery-powered versions of a hedge trimmer, blower, cultivator, and other equipment for taking care of landscaping around the house. There isn’t much reason for you to take on the extra hassle of engine maintenance, so long as battery-powered equipment fits your budget.

For professional lawn care and for homeowners with a larger yard, there’s more to consider. There are plenty of battery-powered options that can meet most or all of your needs. For certain types of equipment, though, you might have a limited selection to choose from. Or you might find that you need to spend more money to get battery-powered equipment with equivalent power to a commercial-grade gasoline option.

Deciding whether or not you make the move from gas to battery-powered electric equipment is also a matter of personal priorities, preference, and budget. You’ll need to consider questions like how important it is for you to work with environmentally friendly lawn equipment and if you have the finances to replace all your gasoline equipment with electric models. For commercial applications, you’ll also want to consider questions like how going “green” could make you more appealing to clients and the benefits of having quiet equipment to work with in-town.

The Best of Both Worlds

As more and more towns and cities ban or restrict the use of gasoline-powered lawn equipment, now is a good time to start making the move to battery-powered equipment. You don’t have to make the switch all at once, though.

Many people will find that right now, a blend of gasoline and battery-powered equipment is the best choice for them. Maybe you keep your gas-powered zero-turn mowers but replace your trimmers and edgers with battery-powered models. Or perhaps you decide to switch-over gradually, replacing your current equipment with battery-powered versions as they wear out instead of making the switch all at once.

Another option is to go with a versatile multi-tool system such as the STIHL KombiSystem. All their attachments are compatible with both the battery and gasoline powerheads. If you want to have the flexibility of both gas and battery-powered equipment, all you need to do is buy two different powerheads. That can be a huge advantage in terms of storage space and flexibility, especially for professional lawn care workers.

Should you make the move from gas to battery-powered electric equipment? Ultimately, you’re the only one who can answer that question. If you have questions or want some more advice, though, we’ll be happy to help. To talk with our equipment experts, just give us a call at 972-235-2086, click here to contact us, or stop by our location in Richardson, Texas. We can help you find the perfect equipment from the most reliable brands to meet all your lawn care needs.