POWER SHIFT
POWER SHIFT
That was 1961 . Today ’ s performance of batterypowered drills and drivers has proven to the most skeptical construction crews and DIYers that lithium-ion ( li-ion ) can do the job .
Lawnmowers and drills are different animals , but the sales numbers for battery-powered equipment are trending up . Industry research group Traqline reports that sales of non-gaspowered outdoor equipment have grown significantly year-over-year for the past decade . “ For both unit sales and dollar shares , gas-powered OPE has been losing share slowly but steadily since 2013 , leading to significant year-over-year losses . Currently , electric and battery-powered outdoor power equipment make up 64 percent of the total OPE market in terms of unit sales ,” the company reports on its website .
Tool and equipment manufacturers recognize this reality . And so does giant retailer Home Depot , which announced it is aiming , by the end of 2028 , for 85 percent of outdoor power equipment sales to be generated by items that run on rechargeable battery technology instead of gas . Big orange is focused on push lawn mowers and handheld outdoor equipment like leaf blowers and trimmers . Ron Jarvis , Home Depot ’ s chief sustainability officer , said in a statement , “ By working with our suppliers to bring innovative and sustainable products to every aisle of our store , we can help our customers create more sustainable homes and workplaces .”
Regulations , whether by state governments or localities , will continue to impact the power equipment industry . But the larger evolutionary force is coming from manufacturers because buyers are asking . Home Depot , not known to be a politically liberal corporation , recognizes consumer interests and it acts to meet those . Much of Home Depot ’ s sales volume feeds the residential market with handheld tools like leaf blowers and trimmers .
While mass-market retailers in many areas ( Home Depot , Lowe ’ s , and others ) do compete with traditional OPE dealers , the independent retailer and the manufacturer product mix are different . I spoke with several OPE dealers and manufacturers to learn how and why electrification is changing the business .
Kress is working to grow its American dealer base with the help of rapidcharging CyberTank technology .
Deere claims its new battery-powered Z370R ZTrak mower can cut up to two acres , depending on conditions .
The Power of Expectations I surveyed a few dozen OPE dealers to begin my research . Nearly 70 percent of the dealers I surveyed indicated their sales of electric products are increasing . And nearly 25 percent say that both residential and commercial users are buying battery-powered products . “ We see more and more landscapers looking at battery-powered tools ,” said Bob Rodgers , of Rodgers & Sons in Cherry Creek , N . Y ., “ and many trucks have inverters so they can charge batteries on the job . And they trim for maybe 15 minutes or so .” Still , he adds , “ Nobody is asking about electric equipment bigger than handheld . People here still like their gas .”
While consumers are making the shift to li-ion power tools and equipment , commercial buyers are slower to adapt . Whether it ’ s because they “ like their gas ” or for another reason , there is a question of expectations .
“ On the landscaper side ,” said Christin Wam , senior director of marketing for Briggs & Stratton ’ s Turf & Consumer Products group , “ they are
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