OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT
ACCEPTED California gets the blame — or the credit , depending on your politics — for kickstarting the electrification push in power equipment . But it started well before the West Coast giant imposed its ban on the sale of new gas-powered mowers and equipment . Electrification started when NASA contracted tool maker Black & Decker to create a batterypowered drill astronauts could use in space . That was 1961 . Today ’ s performance of battery-powered tools 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 reported that sales of non-gas-powered outdoor equipment have grown significantly year-over-year for the past decade . “ For both unit sales and dollar shares , gaspowered outdoor power equipment ( 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 .
Tool and equipment manufacturers recognize this reality . And so does retail giant 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 walk-behind mowers and handheld outdoor equipment such as 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 outdoor power equipment .
While mass-market retailers in many areas ( Home Depot , Lowe ’ s and others ) do compete with traditional OPE dealers , the independent operation and the manufacturer product mix is different . I spoke with several OPE dealers and manufacturers to learn how and why electrification is changing the business .
THE POWER OF EXPECTATIONS We surveyed a few dozen OPE dealers to begin my research into the electrification of OPE . Nearly 70 percent of the dealers 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 , and many trucks have inverters so they can charge batteries on the job ,” said Bob Rodgers of Rodgers & Sons in Cherry Creek , N . Y . 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 , they are looking for something that will last for the full day ,” said Christin Wam , senior director of marketing for Briggs & Stratton ’ s Turf & Consumer Products group . “ But while many of them consider a ‘ full day ’ to be eight hours , they ’ re not cutting for eight hours — but that ’ s their expectation .”
Briggs & Stratton ( B & S ) itself is an interesting study of the electrification evolution . In its 100-plus year history , B & S has produced more than 200 million gas engines . And the Milwaukee manufacturer calls itself “ the world ’ s largest small engine producer .” Today , the company is evolving to become a “ provider of power .” The company ’ s Vanguard commercial power division markets li-ion battery packs and V-Twin gas engines . It also boasts about being “ a leading designer , manufacturer and marketer of lithium-ion battery products .”
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