Gasoline lawnmowers are being replaced by off-road vehicles because “Market forces such as stricter environmental regulations and changing customer preferences“the company said in a statement.
It is important to clarify that the ban on the sale of petrol lawn mowers is not absolute and varies depending on the region:
California:
- Ban date: January 1, 2024
- What is forbidden: The sale of new gas-powered lawn equipment, including lawn mowers, leaf blowers, generators, trimmers and pressure washers.
- Exceptions: The sale of used devices and the continued use of existing devices is permitted.
Other regions:
- UNITED STATES: There is no general federal ban on the sale of gas-powered lawn mowers. However, some cities and towns in the United States have implemented their own bans or restrictions.
- International: Some states and regions are also considering or enacting bans similar to those in California.
It is important to check local regulations for accurate information about bans on the sale of gas-powered lawn mowers in your area.
Reasons for banning petrol lawnmowers
- Reduce air pollution: Small gasoline engines emit harmful emissions that contribute to smog and air quality problems.
- Technological improvements: Electric and battery-powered alternatives to lawn mowers have become more efficient and affordable in recent years.
- Health Benefits: Eliminating emissions from gasoline engines can improve respiratory health, especially for children and seniors.
Alternatives to petrol lawnmowers:
- Electric lawn mowers: They are powered by electricity from the grid and cause no emissions.
- Cordless lawnmower: They run on rechargeable batteries and offer greater mobility than electric ones.
- Manual lawn mowers: They do not require electricity or gasoline and are an ecological and economical option.
Transitioning to greener alternatives to lawn care can have a positive impact on the environment and public health.
Market trends show that batteries and other clean power options are the future for both Europe and North America.
Just 100 miles from Swepsonville is the headquarters of Greenworks, a leading manufacturer of cordless lawn mowers, which opened a new manufacturing facility last year.
Gasoline-powered devices are very harmful to the environment, so switching to electric devices is important for sustainability reasons.
In the United States, where there is a lot of grass (for better or worse), gas-powered lawn mowers cause 5% of air pollution, and in some cities even more. Data from the U.S. Department of Transportation in 2018 puts the total use of gasoline for lawns and gardens at about 3 billion gallons.
To date, most of the machines produced are gasoline-powered lawn mowers that are used to mow grass at home.
A report from Power Systems Research (PSR) in North America estimates that electric lawn mowers will account for 45% to 50% of the U.S. market by 2026.
The European electric lawn mower market is estimated to be worth $2.4 billion in 2021, with some estimates projecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for high-performance lithium-ion batteries from 2022 to 2030.
“Urban green spaces are expected to gain momentum across Europe as they are seen as an important contributor to sustainability. The EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 aims to restore green infrastructure to cities“explains the report.
“These initiatives are therefore expected to increase the number of green spaces across Europe, thereby boosting the demand for electric lawn mowers in the market.“.
Commercial and robotic applications have sparked great interest, such as those used by WINSTONgolf in Germany for four years. The combination of solar charging, GPS technology and 133 electric robotic lawnmowers keeps streets green and grass trimmed, while reducing carbon emissions.
Schools, parks and municipal buildings also use electric lawnmowers to achieve climate goals. But homeowners around the world also want to reduce noise pollution, fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
In the past, electric lawnmowers were not very popular due to complicated cables or battery technology that did not hold up in tests. However, the next generation of products seems to be up to the task, although depending on usage there may still be issues with battery life. The costs are also becoming more affordable.
And while Honda will no longer produce gas-powered lawn mowers in the U.S. (nor have any immediate plans to switch to electric equipment been announced), more manufacturers are entering the lawn and garden market, where the transition to clean energy now seems inevitable and given the growing Climate impacts are crucial.
With information from:
