How landscape gardening is being electrified
The switch to quieter electric equipment is not going as fast as some would like.
Landscape gardening in southern California is gradually being electrified, as cities ban or encourage the use of electric alternatives to petrol-powered gardening tools. These electric options not only reduce noise pollution and carbon emissions but also provide longer working hours and less exposure to pollution. The American Green Zone Alliance (AGZA) is supporting the shift towards electric landscaping equipment, and one of its training programs included using an electric backpack leaf blower.
The move to electric power has attracted new companies to the market. US aerospace start-up Whisper Aero developed electric propulsion systems for aircraft and found its technology suitable for electric leaf blowers. Their hand-held blower lasts up to 50 minutes at full power, is significantly quieter than petrol-powered machines, and is priced at the higher end of electric leaf blowers.
However, petrol-powered machines remain popular for professional landscapers due to their power, quick work, and longer runtime. The cost of transitioning to electric equipment can also be a barrier, especially for sole proprietors with limited space for charging and storing equipment.
Major power tool manufacturers like Stihl are investing in electric tools, aiming for 35% of their sales to be battery-powered by next year and 80% by 2035. Stihl opened a battery manufacturing plant in Romania in 2025 to meet its targets. The company's new battery system uses high-performance, lightweight tabless cells, which charge faster and provide more peak power. Landscapers see the benefits of electric tools, such as reduced air pollution and a quieter work environment.
Written by urgent.news from BBC Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
