Switching your gas-powered small machinery, like lawn mowers, over to electric will clear the air and bring lots of added benefits.
The Air That I Breathe
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, gas-powered lawn equipment is a major source of toxic and carcinogenic exhaust and fine particulate matter – a significant public health concern.
In fact, running an average gas mower for one hour produces 11 times more air pollution than running an average new car for the same amount of time. Electric mowers do not burn fuel and therefore emit 50 percent less carbon dioxide, 5,000 times less carbon monoxide, and 3,300 times fewer hydrocarbons than their gas counterparts.
Electric Avenue
There’s never been a better time to switch to an electric lawn mower. As of 2017, Consumer Reports lists electric mowers that are on par with the performance of gas-powered mowers. Battery technology is getting more robust every year – meaning batteries last longer and weigh less.
And even though the price of electric mowers is more expensive upfront, because of the savings in maintenance and fuel, Consumer Reports calculated the cost over 10 years to be in favor of electric.
Electric Boogaloo
You might be breakdancing when you realize there are even more benefits to electric mowers. Steven Brewer and his son Ethan have been mowing their yard in Council Bluffs with an electric mower for the last four years, and they can’t imagine going back to gas-powered.
“They are a little more expensive, but worth it,” Steven said. “You don’t have to worry about gas, there is no exhaust, they are quieter, and somewhat lighter.”
And for those who struggle to start their gas-powered mower, this might send you to the hardware store right away: you just push a button to start it. That’s it.
“It is very easy and effortless to use, since it’s just a click of a button,” Ethan said.
The Sounds of Silence
Not only will your lungs thank you when you cut your grass using an electric mower, but so will your ears. The typical electric lawnmower is about as loud as an average washing machine (75 decibels). The average gas mower emits about 95 decibels – about 10 decibels over the level the Center for Disease Control says can cause hearing loss with extended exposure.
Steven and Ethan also have an electric weed eater, and Steven hopes to purchase an electric car someday. They both say it was an easy decision to switch their lawn mower over to electric.
“It’s a small step you can take that will help solve a much larger problem – air quality,” Ethan said.