Gas lawn mower emissions. 7 Environmental Impacts of Using Gas Lawn Mowers

Lawn Care

Because many conventional gas and diesel lawn mowers do not have strong emission controls, they are widely recognized as a major source of smog-forming air pollution. In fact, a 6HP diesel or gas mower running for an hour creates the equivalent emissions of driving your car 160 miles. (source)

Not only do old-fashioned lawn mowers burn fossil fuels, they also create ground-level ozone and haze. And, an estimated 17 million gallons of gas is spilled each year as we refuel the mowers, which can pollute drinking water.

Receive up to 300 toward the purchase of a new electric ride lawn mower. Receive up to 100 toward the purchase of a new electric push lawn mower.

Switching to an electric lawn mower can significantly reduce the number of toxic pollutants directly released into the air. And since Burlington runs on 100% renewably-sourced energy, there is an environmental benefit to mowing with an electric mower.

Burlington Electric Department wants to help you make the switch. We are offering a 100 rebate on the purchase of a new electric lawn mower. See terms and conditions.

Electric Lawn Mower

• Push mower

• Lawn mower must be at least 36-volt.
• Rebate amount is limited to the lesser of 100 or 50% of the purchase price.
• Self-propelled push mowers are also eligible for this rebate.

• Lawn mower must be at least 48-volt.
• Rebate amount is limited to the lesser of 300 or 50% of the purchase price.
• This offer is valid through December 31, 2023.
• Burlington Electric Department reserves the right to inspect installation and/or verify purchase.
• Burlington Electric Department reserves the right to modify or end this offer at any time.
• Please be aware that if your rebates from BED total more than 600 in a calendar year you may be required to complete and submit a W9 form. A W9 form will be provided in this rebate form if it is required.

Electric Lawn Mowers (Commercial)

Receive 3,500 for the purchase of a new commercial-grade lawn mower.

Electric commercial-grade lawn mowers have many benefits:

• Over its lifetime, it will save you money due to lower fuel, maintenance, and repair costs.
• There are environmental benefits including air pollution reduction.
• Electric lawn mowers produce about 1/3 the sound intensity of conventional gas or diesel mowers of similar horsepower.
• Commercial lawn mower rebates are limited to following models:

• Gravely PRO-TURN® EV
• Greenworks Lithium Z Ride Mowers: GZ 48R, GZ 48S, GZ 52R, GZ 52S, GZ 60R
• Mean Green Ride Mowers: Evo 74, Rival 52/60, Vanquish 52/60, Nemesis 48/60, and Fury 32/36

Electric Lawn Mower (Commercial)

• Must be a Commercial BED customer.
• Qualified Products List:

• Gravely PRO-TURN® EV
• Greenworks Lithium Z Ride Mowers: GZ 48R, GZ 48S, GZ 52R, GZ 52S, GZ 60R
• Mean Green: Evo 74, Rival 52/60, Vanquish 52/60, Nemesis 48/60, and Fury 32/36
• This offer is valid through December 31, 2023.
• Burlington Electric Department reserves the right to inspect installation and/or verify purchase.
• Burlington Electric Department reserves the right to modify or end this offer at any time.
• Please be aware that if your rebates from BED total more than 600 in a calendar year you may be required to complete and submit a W9 form. A W9 form will be provided in this rebate form if it is required.

Additional 30% Federal Tax Credit New for 2023: With the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, new mowers may be eligible for a 30% federal tax credit. Read more here.

Electric Leaf Blowers

Because gas and diesel leaf blowers do not have strong emission controls, running them for an hour can create the equivalent emissions of driving your car 100 miles.

Receive up to 200 for the purchase of a new commercial-grade leaf blower. Residential accounts are eligible for up to 40 back.

Switching to an electric leaf blower can significantly reduce the amount of toxic pollutants released into the air. And since Burlington runs on 100% renewably-sourced energy, there is an environmental benefit to using an electric leaf blower. See rebate form for terms conditions.

Electric Leaf Blower

Have the following items ready:

• Your Burlington Electric Department account number. It is printed on your monthly bill.
• A scan or photo of your proof of purchase.
• Limit one rebate per account.
• This rebate form must be submitted within 60 days of purchase.
• BED reserves the right to modify or end this offer at any time.
• W9 form required prior to issuing rebate check. If applicable, a 1099 form will be sent.
• Commercial Customers

• Only for BED commercial customers with active accounts.
• Rebate amount is limited to the lesser of 150 or 50% of the purchase price.
• Purchase must be made after January 1, 2022.
• Leaf blower purchase must include at least 800 watt-hours of battery capacity.

• Rebate amount is limited to the lesser of 50 or 50% of the purchase price.
• Purchase must be made after January 1, 2022.
• Leaf blower must come with at least a 40-volt battery.
• Reconditioned leaf blowers are not eligible.
• This offer is valid through December 31, 2023.
• Burlington Electric Department reserves the right to inspect installation and/or verify purchase.
• Burlington Electric Department reserves the right to modify or end this offer at any time.
• Please be aware that if your rebates from BED total more than 600 in a calendar year you may be required to complete and submit a W9 form. A W9 form will be provided in this rebate form if it is required.

Electric Chainsaws Trimmers

Be like the BED line crew!

We are now offering rebates of 50 (residential) and 150 (commercial) on electric chainsaws and trimmers (hedge or string).

Electric Chainsaw

• Commercial: Lesser of 150 or 50% of retail price
• Residential: Lesser of 50 or 50% of retail price

Have the following items ready:

• Your Burlington Electric Department account number. It is printed on your monthly bill.
• A scan or photo of your proof of purchase.
• Reconditioned chainsaws are not eligible.
• Chainsaw must come with at least 40V battery.
• Limit one rebate per account.
• This rebate form must be submitted within 60 days of purchase.
• Purchase must be made after January 1, 2022.
• Only for BED customers with active accounts.
• This offer is valid through December 31, 2023.
• Burlington Electric Department reserves the right to inspect installation and/or verify purchase.
• Burlington Electric Department reserves the right to modify or end this offer at any time.
• Please be aware that if your rebates from BED total more than 600 in a calendar year you may be required to complete and submit a W9 form. A W9 form will be provided in this rebate form if it is required.

Electric Trimmers

• Commercial: Lesser of 150 or 50% of retail price
• Residential: Lesser of 50 or 50% of retail price

Have the following items ready:

• Your Burlington Electric Department account number. It is printed on your monthly bill.
• A scan or photo of your proof of purchase.
• Reconditioned trimmers are not eligible.
• Trimmer must come with at least 40V battery.
• Limit one rebate per account.
• This rebate form must be submitted within 60 days of purchase.
• Purchase must be made after January 1, 2022.
• Only for BED customers with active accounts.
• This offer is valid through December 31, 2023.
• Burlington Electric Department reserves the right to inspect installation and/or verify purchase.
• Burlington Electric Department reserves the right to modify or end this offer at any time.
• Please be aware that if your rebates from BED total more than 600 in a calendar year you may be required to complete and submit a W9 form. A W9 form will be provided in this rebate form if it is required.

Electric Snow Blowers

As part of our new offerings, BED is offering a rebate on electric snow blowers.

Electric Snow Blower

Have the following items ready:

• Your Burlington Electric Department account number. It is printed on your monthly bill.
• A scan or photo of your proof of purchase.
• Snow Blower must come with at least 56V battery.
• Limit one rebate per account.
• This rebate form must be submitted within 60 days of purchase.
• Purchase must be made after January 1, 2022.
• Only for BED customers with active accounts.
• Reconditioned snow blowers are not eligible.
• This offer is valid through December 31, 2023.
• Burlington Electric Department reserves the right to inspect installation and/or verify purchase.
• Burlington Electric Department reserves the right to modify or end this offer at any time.
• Please be aware that if your rebates from BED total more than 600 in a calendar year you may be required to complete and submit a W9 form. A W9 form will be provided in this rebate form if it is required.

Battery Recycling

Curious about what to do with your lithium-ion battery at end of life? Contact the CSWD Environmental Depot for information and next steps, including whether you need to schedule a drop-off appointment.

Environmental Impacts of Using Gas Lawn Mowers

If you are someone who owns or uses a gas lawn mower, you may be concerned about the impact that your gas lawn mower has on the environment.

Gas lawn mowers are typically convenient options, especially for those who have big yards. However, their effects on the environment can be substantial.

Some of the general environmental impacts of using a gas lawn mower include:

• Increased carbon emissions
• Nitrogen oxides
• Volatile organic compounds that are released into the environment
• Noise pollution

• Gas spillage
• Pollution from grass clippings
• Manufacturing the lawn mower itself

The negative impacts of a gas lawn mower may have you wondering how you can sustainably mow your lawn. Fortunately, there are many options to make your yard care routine more sustainable. Keep reading to understand the full environmental impacts of lawn mowers, the science behind pollution caused by gas lawn mowers, and to explore some alternative options for lawn mowing.

This post may include affiliate links. Purchases made through these links may provide a commission for us, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Follow all safety instructions provided in your equipment operator’s manual before diagnosing, repairing, or operating. Consult a professional if you don’t have the skills, or knowledge or are not in the condition to perform the repair safely.

Are Gas Lawn Mowers Bad for the Environment?

Those looking to spruce up their lawns may not put much thought into the type of lawn mowers they use and just go with one to get it done. This fact can be a problem when multiple people are doing it.

Gas lawn mowers have many negative impacts on the environment and have a significant impact on overall pollution in the United States. Gas lawn mowers release harmful carbon emissions and nitrous oxides contributing to an increase in greenhouse gas in the atmosphere.

The ways that gas lawn mowers impact the environment are a bit complex. As you operate a gas lawn mower, its internal operations cause them to release various emissions that are harmful to the environment.

What Are Emissions?

Now that you’re hearing about the carbon emissions caused by gas lawn mowers, you may be wondering, “What are emissions?”

According to The Environmental Protection Agency, “Emissions are the gases and particles which are put into the air or emitted by various sources.” Emissions can occur from natural sources, like from wood-burning fires or livestock, but are often produced by manmade machinery and operations.

Many of the man-made emissions in the United States come from the following sectors:

• Transportation

• Industry
• Electricity
• Residential
• Agriculture

Emissions that negatively harm the environment are known as greenhouse gases. These gases act within the atmosphere to trap heat, warming the planet and resulting in potentially catastrophic effects to life on earth, such as severe weather events and the loss of life due to extreme and inhospitable temperatures.

Recent years have seen many people attempting to become more conscious of the emissions that they create to combat this growing issue.

Many choose to do so through choices in their personal life, such as the fuel efficiency of the car they use or where they source their household power, turning to sustainable power options such as solar and wind.

Carbon Emissions Caused by Gas Lawn Mowers

Perhaps the greatest environmental impact caused by using a gas lawn mower is its release of carbon emissions. Carbon emissions occur when carbon monoxide, a potentially harmful greenhouse gas, is released into the atmosphere.

How Do Gas Lawn Mowers Create Carbon Emissions?

Now that you know how carbon emissions occur, you might be wondering how gas lawn mowers specifically create them.

Gas lawn mowers create carbon emissions because of their gas-powered engine. Like anything that uses an engine to operate, this machinery requires some sort of fuel in the form of gas. As the fuel burns, carbon monoxide is emitted as a byproduct.

Just like a burning fire releases heat and smoke, a running engine releases carbon emissions, among other byproducts. Oftentimes, these byproducts are known as exhaust.

Are Carbon Emissions Dangerous to Humans?

The accumulation of greenhouse gases in the environment can certainly have a long-term health impact on humans, however, you may be wondering if the emissions created by operating your gas lawn mower have any direct health consequences for you.

Generally, you won’t notice any direct impacts on your health from running a lawn mower. However, you should avoid the following:

Though your gas lawn mower is not friendly to the environment, it will probably not have any direct impacts on your personal health.

Nitrous Oxides That Are Released by Gas Lawn Mowers

Another type of polluting emission created by gas lawn mowers is nitrous oxides. Nitrous oxides are a type of organic compound that, much like carbon monoxide, are released whenever the engine of a gas-powered lawn mower begins burning fuel.

Nitrous oxides can have harmful effects on the environment and are released in large amounts anytime a gas lawn mower is started.

What Are the Effects Caused by Nitrous Oxides?

Now that you know that gas lawn mowers cause nitrous oxides, let’s get into its effect on the environment.

Nitrous oxides are known to generate the following negative impacts on the environment when they are released:

• Smog formation
• Acid rain

• Ozone formation when the nitrous oxides and other compounds interact with sunlight

Though these emissions are less well-known to the general public than carbon monoxide, nitrous oxides can be very detrimental to the natural world and human life.

How Much Pollution Does a Gas Lawn Mower Generate?

Gas lawn mowers generate a great deal of pollution.

Though the exact amount of emissions a lawn mower produces can depend a lot on the age and type of your lawn mower, some of the following comparisons have been made:

• A 2001 study found that running a lawn mower for one hour has the same negative environmental impacts as driving a car for 100 miles.
• The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) more recently estimated that running a lawn mower for an hour generates emissions closer to 350 miles of car travel.
• Studies estimate that the average gas lawn mower releases anywhere from 16 billion to 41 billion pounds of CO2 into the atmosphere each year.

Although the statistics can vary in their exact predictions, almost all seem to agree that using gas-powered lawn mowers creates a large number of emissions over a typical year and can contribute greatly to the pollution that leads to global warming.

Why Do Gas Lawn Mowers Generate Emissions?

Gas lawn mowers are known to cause emissions at such high rates because of the ways that their engines operate.

The majority of lawn mowers and lawn machinery in general are operated through the use of the following engine types:

These engines power lawn mowers by burning fuel to operate the internal machinery of the mower.

In particular, two-stroke engines produce emissions at an accelerated rate because they allow the gasoline and oil to mix, which results in a large portion of the fuel not combusting as it should.

As a consequence, emissions are released at a much higher rate from this unfinished fuel.

The other engine types may be slightly better, but not much. Each type results in a given amount of fuel that cannot be combusted and releases more emissions in general than electric or battery-powered alternatives.

Other Environmental Impacts Caused by Gas Lawn Mowers

Emissions are the most obvious form of pollution caused by lawn mowers and should not be overlooked; however, there are still some other forms of pollution that result from the everyday operation of lawn mowers that can have severe environmental impacts as well.

Gas Spillage from Lawn Mowers

If you are using a gas lawn mower, you will inevitably have to fill it with gas. In this process of refilling the gas tank, gasoline can often be spilled onto the ground, especially if you are using an older gas canister that has weaker seals that allow fuel to spill more easily.

Additionally, old gas cans often are made from weaker material that causes more fumes to be released from the canister at all times, even when you are not directly fueling your mower.

Although gas spillage may not seem like a huge issue if you are filling up your lawn mower on a hard surface such as garage flooring (despite safety issues that can arise from adding fuel to a lawn mower in an enclosed space), it can severely impact the environment if the spillage occurs on grass or other natural surfaces.

You might be wondering how much impact the small amounts of gas spillage you produce would really have, but it all adds up. Some studies estimate that around 17 million gallons of gas are spilled each year collectively just from refilling lawn mowers.

When you spill gas while trying to fill up your lawn mower, it permeates into the ground. Not only is this bad for plant life, but it can also permeate into the watershed, making water or affected plants potentially toxic to people and animals alike.

Recent oil spills have shown us the devastating consequences that gas spillage can have on the natural world. While we typically imagine these spills happening on large ships or major oil fields, they can happen just as easily on a small scale in our own yards.

Noise Pollution from Lawn Mowers

Another less obvious result of using a gas lawn mower is the resulting noise.

Anyone who has used a gas lawn mower knows that they are noisy; however, this noise can have unexpected environmental consequences as well, including the following:

• Loud noises can impact animals’ health. Wildlife can suffer hearing loss, hypertension, and fertility.
• Noise pollution can lead to habitats shrinking. As animals are repelled by loud noises, they avoid certain areas. As a result, the biodiversity, or different types of life, in a given area goes down. They can also find it more difficult to navigate their territory, leading to confusion and poor health.
• Animals fall victim to predators. When animals are disrupted by loud noises, it may be more difficult for them to detect potentially dangerous predators. Especially if a species is threatened or endangered, this can have serious impacts on a species’ overall well-being.

In addition to wildlife, humans can also suffer the consequences of noise pollution. Noise pollution in humans is known to have an impact on hearing and cardiovascular health, among other aspects.

The Environmental Impact of Grass Clippings

Any time that you mow your lawn, you will generate grass clippings. Beyond just being a challenge to clean up, grass clippings can have adverse environmental impacts that add to the pollution created by your lawn mower.

When grass clippings are sent to a landfill, they can potentially create methane during decomposition, which is a harmful greenhouse gas. They can also be blown in the wind or carried away by rain and collected in natural bodies of water. This can harm existent life and ecosystems living in this water.

If you treat your lawn with pesticides or other chemicals, grass clippings will contain residue from these treatments as well and potentially contaminate composting sites or affected bodies of water.

Do Push Mowers Generate Less Pollution?

You may be wondering if a gas-powered push lawn mower is less environmentally detrimental than a riding lawn mower, and for the most part, the answer is no.

Just like riding lawn mowers, push lawn mowers still run on gas, and as a result, the emissions produced are roughly the same.

However, push lawn mowers are often owned by people who have comparatively smaller lawns than those with gas-powered lawn mowers. Because of this, the push mower may create fewer emissions simply because they run for shorter amounts of time and burn less fuel as a result.

The Environmental Impacts of Lawn Mower Construction

Another factor that can impact your gas lawn mower’s carbon footprint is the resources and energy needed to build the machinery.

This may seem like a small number of emissions compared to the pollutants a gas lawn mower releases over years of use, but the environmental impacts of manufacturing are still significant overall.

Gas lawn mowers are often created using a mixture of materials, such as steel and synthetics, that require a lot of resources to produce. The factories that continuously use energy dedicated to producing them are known to be a high source of environmental pollution.

Consider Buying a Secondhand Lawn Mower

If you are in the market to buy a lawn mower, one way that you can address the carbon output associated with manufacturing mowers is to buy the machinery secondhand.

There are many places where you can find used or preowned lawn mowers, such as:

• Local classified ads
• Online marketplaces
• Some home and garden stores
• Lawn mower power equipment dealerships

By buying a mower that has already been used, you will not contribute to the cycle of demand that causes more lawn mowers to be produced. This may seem like a very small contribution, but it all adds up if more people adopt this mindset.

One thing to note is that recently built mowers are required to follow the most up-to-date policies from the EPA regarding emissions. This can mean technologies that help regulate the amount of carbon that is released, or other regulations that the manufacturer must follow.

If you do buy a secondhand mower, be sure to check when it was made and see what the carbon emissions regulations were like at that time.

Although it is sustainable to buy secondhand, you will be doing more harm than good if you use a machine that releases carbon at a rate that is no longer permitted.

How Do I Reduce Pollution in My Lawn Mower?

After learning of the negative environmental impacts created by gas lawn mowers, it may come as a comfort to know that there are some things that you can do to reduce the consequences that your lawn care can have for the natural world.

Strategies for addressing pollution created by your lawn mower can vary from changing the way you mow your lawn to changing your lawn mower itself.

Purchase an Electric Lawn Mower

One potential solution to the environmental problems posed by a gas lawn mower is the electric lawn mower. These have become increasingly popular in recent years as an efficient alternative for lawn care that will allow you to cut your grass quickly while also minimizing your emissions.

Electric lawn mowers are much more friendly to the environment as they do not burn fuel and release emissions. Instead, they are often battery-powered or operate from a power cord.

The only environmental consequence is the amount of electricity it will take to charge your lawn mower, which is minimal in comparison to the consequences of burning gas.

Routine maintenance on electric lawn mowers is an easier task than maintenance on a gas lawn mower. Read the article, A Guide to Caring for Your Electric Lawn Mower for an overall guide to maintaining an electric lawn mower.

Electric lawn mowers will not completely cut your emissions, and they will still pose the same challenges regarding noise pollution. However, they are an eco-friendly alternative that will be a big step in the right direction when working to lower your emissions.

For additional information on the safety of electric lawn mowers read our article, “Electric Lawn Mower: Dangers and Safety Guide“.

Purchase a Manual Lawn Mower

Manual or reel lawn mowers might seem like an outdated invention, but in actuality, they can be a great way to cut your lawn with little to no emissions. Manual lawn mowers are an especially great fit for those who have a small yard as they can be a bit time-consuming.

Manual lawn mowers do not need to be plugged in, nor do they require gas. Because of this, they could be said to be completely emission-free beyond the carbon needed to manufacture the product.

Additionally, they are also very quiet, making them a good option for those concerned about the health or environmental repercussions of noise pollution.

Besides being eco-friendly, manual mowers are also typically offered at a lower cost than electric or gas mowers, making them a great fit for those looking for inexpensive and environmentally conscious lawn care options.

Keep an Eye Out for Solar-Powered Alternatives

Solar power is a wonderful energy option as it eliminates emissions and makes use of a renewable energy source.

In recent years, more lawn mowers that rely on solar power are emerging on the market, although they are still fairly rare and can be very expensive. Some of these new mowers are automated, meaning caring for your lawn takes less work while taking steps toward a more sustainable lifestyle.

However, as more people wish to minimize their environmental impact, more solar-powered lawn mowers may become available at reasonable prices.

Continue to research what exists on the market and how convenient and affordable it is if you hope to one day power your lawn care through sustainable methods.

Another option to make use of solar power is solar-powered battery packs. If you choose to buy an electric lawn mower that runs off of a battery, buying a compatible battery pack is a great way to increase the sustainability of your lawn mower and transition it away from emission-generating electricity sources.

Change Your Mowing Habits

If you do not have the resources or are not able to change out your gas-powered lawn mower itself, there are other things that you can do to reduce the pollution created by cutting your grass.

Some ways to change your mowing habits that can lessen the impact on the environment include:

• Reduce how often you mow: If you change your lawn mowing schedule to allow your grass to grow longer between mows, you can greatly reduce your emissions. Also, longer grass is more drought-resistant and overall healthier than a very short, frequently mowed lawn.
• Mow in the evenings or night: because emissions form ozone when they interact with sunlight, you can minimize this by mowing in the evenings or at night. Try not to mow too late, though, as the noise may disturb your neighbors, and machinery can be dangerous to operate in the dark.

• Leave your grass clippings in your yard: when you leave grass clippings in your yard, they can return nutrients to the soil as they decompose, reducing the need for fertilizer and making your yard healthier. Additionally, any pesticides or herbicides that you apply to your grass will be recycled into your own lawn, reducing the chance that they may affect any external areas or wildlife.
• Upgrade your gas canister: to address the problem of gas spillage, you can make sure that the gas canister you use for refueling is newer and of high quality. Newer gas cans have leak-proof technology and more durable walls. They will be less likely to leak as you fuel your mower and also release fewer vapors into the atmosphere overall.

Altering the way that you mow may take some trial and error, but soon you will be able to find a way to cut your grass in a manner that works for your lifestyle and still be conscious of your environmental impact.

Reduce the Size of Your Lawn:

One thing that plays a large role in the emissions your lawn mower produces is the amount of time that you run it for. To cut emissions, consider running your lawn mower less by reducing the size of your yard.

Even though this might seem difficult to accomplish, there are many ways that you can dedicate more of your yard space toward things other than grass.

Consider the following options to minimize the size of your lawn and the time you spend mowing as a result:

• Get creative with landscaping: add rock gardens or more areas for growing plants that rely on mulch or other surfaces rather than grass.
• Plant wildflowers: dedicate a portion of your yard toward growing native plants. Not only are these good for the environment by fostering biodiversity, but they also require very little maintenance and look beautiful!
• Plant trees: trees are a great way to take up yard space. As trees grow, they increasingly provide shade and refuge for wildlife. Trees also directly combat carbon emissions.

Spending less time mowing will not only cut the time that you spend on this household chore, but it will also go a long way to reduce the pollution that you are creating from running your lawn mower.

Conclusion

Lawns can be beautiful and provide source of enjoyment for any homeowner, however, in recent years, the ways that we take care of our yards have revealed many unexpected environmental consequences.

When you mow your lawn with a gas lawn mower, you are releasing emissions and creating environmental consequences that can harm all forms of life and contribute to some of the dire climate problems that our planet is facing.

However, these consequences do not mean that you have to give up on grooming your yard. Many technologies are now arising that will allow you to mow your lawn more sustainably.

If you can’t invest in newer technologies, there are some strategies that can reduce the environmental impact of your mowing as well.

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Electric vs Conventional Lawn Mower Environmental and Economic Impacts

Learn how the use of electric lawn care equipment can have a positive effect on the environment and the economy through decreased fossil fuel use; reduction in C02 emissions; potential for increased use of renewable energy; lower noise output; cost of electrivity vs gas/diesel; low maintenance and repair costs; and the support of local economies.

Decreased Fossil Fuel Use

According to the US Department of Transportation, Vermont consumes 5,453,000 total gallons of gasoline per year for lawn and garden care (the nationwide total is 2,982,755,000 gallons). Traditional commercial gas/diesel mowers typically burn 1 to 2 gallons of gas or diesel per hour. Therefore, for every commercial gas/diesel lawn mower that’s replaced with an electric mower in the New England region, fossil fuel use can be reduced by approximately 1,440 to 1,920 gallons per year (assuming 6 to 8 hours/day, 5 days/week, 24 weeks/year).

Additionally, depending on the type and horsepower rating of mowers used by homeowners mowing 1 to 2 hours a week (for 24 weeks), anywhere from 5 to over 50 gallons of gas or diesel could be saved per year.

CO2 Reduction

Since every gallon of gas/diesel burned emits an average of about 22 lbs. of CO2 (includes the carbon in the gas/diesel plus the oxygen used during combustion) and because electric mowers have zero CO2 emissions, for every commercial gas/diesel lawn mower that’s replaced with an electric mower in the New England region, CO2 emissions could be reduced by approximately 31,680 to 42,240 lbs (approx. 16 to 21 tons), less the amount of C02 emissions generated by the production of the electricity used, which increasingly is being generated from renewable sources such as sun, wind, and hydro. Therefore, for every 100 commercial gas/diesel lawn mowers that are replaced with electric mowers in

Increased Use of Renewable Energy

With ever-expanding solar and wind energy capacity in New England, there’s an ever-increasing potential for the electricity used to recharge batteries to come from renewable sources.

Low Noise

Battery-electric lawn care equipment produces significantly less noise compared to conventional gas-powered equipment which improves the quality of life in our communities. For more information about how the issue of noise is being addressed on a local and national level, visit Quiet Communities.

Electricity vs Gas/Diesel Costs

The electricity needed to operate battery-electric lawn care equipment costs a fraction of the cost of gas or diesel.

Lower Maintenance Costs

Gas/diesel mowers require engine servicing that increases operating their life-cycle costs. E-mowers need NO maintenance aside from normal blade sharpening and cleaning of accumulated grass from around the blades.

Lower Repair Costs

Gas/diesel mowers have hundreds of moving parts, and these inevitably wear out and need replacement. These repairs are time consuming and increase life-cycle costs. Conversely, E-mowers have very few moving parts and are designed to operate for thousands of hours with minimal or NO needed repairs.

Support of Local Economies

For every dollar not spent on imported gas and diesel fuel, more dollars remain to support New England’s local economy.

View the complete COMMERCIAL/PROFESSIONAL sample comparison of the fuel savings and CO2 emissions, including notes and assumptions here.

Also, for interactive comparison spreadsheets and PDFs where you can input custom data to calculate projected fuel and CO2 savings and life-cycle costs, visit this page.

View the complete RESIDENTIAL sample comparison of the fuel savings and CO2 emissions, including notes and assumptions here.

View the complete RESIDENTIAL sample comparison of the fuel savings and CO2 emissions, including notes and assumptions here.

Lawn mower emission reduction device wins national award

Small engine machines, such as lawn mowers, produce significant harmful emissions. UC Riverside’s NOx-Out team has won an award for a device that reduces emissions from lawn mower engines.

A team of University of California, Riverside Bourns College of Engineering students won a national sustainable development award last week for creating a device that drastically reduces harmful emissions from lawn mowers.

The team — Alyssa Yan, Priyanka Singh and Anna Almario — their advisor and the University will receive 43,000 for winning the Odebrecht Award for Sustainable Development. They learned they received the award during an Oct. 8 award ceremony in Miami, where they were accompanied by Kawai Tam, their adviser, who is a lecturer at the college, and Reza Abbaschian, dean of the college.

“This win is a testament to our college’s commitment to hands-on undergraduate research that can be applied in the real world,” Abbaschian said. “With a single device, these students can significantly improve our air quality and have the potential to revolutionize an industry that has been around for more than 100 years.”

The team traveled to Miami as one of three finalists for the award. The others were teams from Duke University and the University of California, Berkeley.

Mower pollutes like a car

The students developed the device — a cylindrical stainless steel unit that attaches to the lawn mower where its muffler was — because small engine devices produce significant harmful emissions. For example, the Environmental Protection Agency estimates that a gasoline powered lawn mower emits air pollution equivalent to a single car driven for 45 miles for each hour of operation.

This unit could also be attached to other small engine devices such as generators. Reduction of nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds and particulate matter would positively impact human health, and reduce environmental concerns such as smog formation and acid rain.

The team, which calls itself NOx-Out (NOx is short for nitrogen oxide, a harmful emission), believes there is a market for the device for lawn mower manufacturers and current lawn mower owners, especially operators of landscape companies, who could retrofit their existing gasoline-powered lawn mower.

They expect the device, which has the added benefits of reducing noise from the lawn mower and the smell of gasoline, would sell for about 80 for its current scale of production. This price would substantially be lower at a larger scale of production.

“To be recognized by prestigious industry leaders validates that our idea has innovative merit toward sustainability,” Tam said. “With this award, our team will be continuing our efforts toward commercialization.”

The device can be thought of as a three-stage system. First, a filter captures the harmful pollutants. Then an ultra-fine spray of urea solution is dispersed into the exhaust stream. The urea spray primes the dirty air for the final stage, when a catalyst converts the harmful nitrogen oxide and ammonia into harmless nitrogen gas and water and releases them into the air.

Significant reductions

Testing by the students has shown that the device eliminates 93 percent of particulate matter emissions. Tests using a previous version of the device found it reduced carbon monoxide emissions by 87 percent and nitrogen oxide emissions by 67 percent.

Several teams of former Bourns College of Engineering students have worked on the device in recent years.

In 2013, a team won two first place awards at the WERC: A Consortium for Environmental Education and Technology Development competition in Las Cruces, N.M. It’s run by the Institute for Energy the Environment (IEE).

The following year, a new team won a phase one 15,000 grant as part of the EPA’s P3 (People, Prosperity and the Planet) competition. The current team — Almario, Singh and Yan — took over from that team and earlier this year received an honorable mention award for the EPA P3 phase two competition. (If they had been one of seven winning teams they would have received 75,000.) They also won the first place team award at this year’s Eco Innovators / Spring Green Expo, which is hosted by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

Launched in 2012, the United States edition of the Odebrecht Award for Sustainable Development is granted to applicants that demonstrate innovative technologies and business models for sustainable development. The Odebrecht Organization seeks to reward projects that are environmentally sustainable, profitable, produce quantifiable results, and have the potential to be scaled up and replicated for broad applications. Odebrecht and Braskem, Brazilian companies in the fields of engineering, construction, chemicals and petrochemicals, are looking for ideas that can be implemented in various real-world ventures.

Loud, Gas-Belching Leaf Blowers Will Soon Be Illegal in 1 State. Is This Just the Beginning?

New gas-burning lawn mowers and leaf blowers won’t be sold in California by 2024. And other states may be close behind.

Brand new gas-powered leaf blowers and lawn mowers will soon become scarce in California. In October 2021, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law banning the sale of gas-powered lawn mowers and leaf blowers, as well as any other equipment using small off-road engines, also known as SOREs. These engines traditionally power equipment used in lawn care and landscaping.

Small engine-based tools are a surprisingly large source of carbon emissions and air pollution. According to the California Air Resources Board, just one hour of gas leaf blower use is the equivalent of driving 1,100 miles. Running a gas lawn mower for the same period equates to a 300-mile drive.

So what does this rule change mean for you and your landscaping? We’ll explain exactly what the new law does, when it comes into effect and what to do when it happens.

What does the new California law say?

The law will prohibit the sale of new SORE equipment throughout the state (this does not affect the secondary resale market). It also calls for the state to adopt new regulations around SORE emissions. The purpose of this legislation is to prohibit engine exhaust and evaporative emissions from new small off-road engines.

When will the gas leaf blower and lawn mower rule go into effect?

The state has set a target date to set up SORE emission regulations by July 1, 2022. The actual rule banning the sale of SORE equipment goes into effect July 1, 2024. Ultimately the goal is to achieve 100% zero emissions in California from SOREs by 2035.

Can I still buy used gas-powered lawn mowers and leaf blowers?

Yes, but only for a few more years. Vendors will be prohibited to sell any SORE product manufactured after July 1, 2024 in the state of California.

Which electric lawn mowers and leaf blowers can I buy?

Any electric landscaping tool is clear for use since by definition they’re zero-emission devices. Whether it uses a cord or a cordless battery system, you’re good to go. Even better, there are lots of electric lawn care options out there. In fact the shift from gas to battery-powered yard equipment is already in progress.

Here are CNET’s top picks for the best electric lawn mowers and a top-rated electric leaf blower you can buy now.

Many electric lawn mowers rival the power of gas mowers. They also provide the added convenience of quieter operation, along with the lack of noxious fumes. We recommend making the shift sooner rather than later for you or your landscaping crew, to start getting the benefits of reduced noise and air pollution well before the ban takes place.

Electric leaf blowers are catching up to their gas counterparts as well. The thought of one day eliminating all SORE lawn and landscaping gear isn’t as far-fetched as it once may have sounded.

Are other states next?

It’s likely that California’s ban on new SORE equipment isn’t the last. than 100 cities and towns across the country already outlaw these machines. And pressure is building for other local governments to do the same. So as the US and the rest of the world enact policies to beat back the specter of climate change. gas leaf blowers will probably suffer planetary extinction.