Ontario grass is greener than ever after a wet Spring, so gas-powered lawn mowers, and landscaping equipment are powering up to manage the verdant growth.
Gas-powered lawn mowers, leaf blowers and weed wackers are significant sources of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Older models, especially small engine equipment, release carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen oxides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and fine particles (PM2.5).
The Ontario government, along with other municipalities and industry, has been working to reduce these emissions through programs and initiatives. Mississauga recognized the emissions problem, noise, and health implications, and started a pilot program to transition small equipment in their Parks and Forestry Operations from gas/diesel to battery-powered and electric units. Mississauga will be one of the few municipalities in Canada to outfit a complete operational crew to use battery-operated equipment.
The Minister Anderson to the Senate Standing Committee on Energy, Environment and Natural Resources notes, “We all know that car emissions contribute to air pollution. But did you know that running a lawn mower for one hour is equivalent to driving a car 500 kilometres?” [Source:] “People may be surprised to think that a leaf blower actually produces a lot more pollution than a pick-up truck,” said Michael Brauer, a professor in the School of Population and Public Health at the University of British Columbia. [Source]
Gas-powered garden equipment isn’t designed with emission treatment systems like modern vehicles have, said Greg Evans, a professor in the department of chemical engineering and applied chemistry at the University of Toronto. [Source] Air pollution, noise and potentially harmful health implications are concerns. “Joe Vipond, an emergency medicine physician in Calgary and past president of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, says leaf blowers pose concerns for both the environment and health.” [Source]
Vipond states that, “If you use it for one hour, the amount of smog-forming air pollution is similar to driving a sedan for 1,750 kilometres,” he said, citing data from the California Air Resources Board.” [Source]
The solution is simple. Go battery-powered electric for all your landscaping equipment from small chainsaws and lawn mowers to hedge trimmers and leaf blowers. The systems are designed for interchangeable battery packs and easily recharge in 20 minutes or less. They’re quieter, won’t pollute and you’ll never have to make a trip to the gas station to fill your gas can.