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Book A Mean Green Electric Mower Demo
A product demonstration on your site is the best way to demonstrate the performance of the Mean Green Electric Mowers supplied by Overton UK. By seeing them up close and personal you get the opportunity to see the build quality, and experience them working.
Your Chance To Experience the Products and Overton
Its only when you see the Mean Green Electric Mowers in action that you get to see how well they perform. Combine this with our technical expertise and industry experience and we are confident you will be impressed.
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Andrew Tulloch gave the flagship model of the Mean Green Electric zero-turn mower range a workout.
Mean Green’s Evo is a step up from the Rival reviewed earlier in the year and our test unit was loaded with options. This electric mower is a full commercial unit in every sense, with an 8-hour runtime, equating to 30 acres of cutting on a single charge.
Cost-effective
Mean Green has been manufacturing commercial zero-turns in the USA since 2009 and is exclusively distributed in Australia by EcoTeq, who have branches in every state, with spare parts backing and trained technicians ensuring purchasers quality backup.
It is evident straight away that the build quality of this Mean Green mower is exceptional. Deck and machine are constructed of aircraft-grade aluminium which is lightweight and extremely robust. The Evo tested was fitted with the optional larger 35kWh battery pack – a 22kWh battery is standard – which powers the 5 deck motors and 2 drive motors, producing a drive speed of 21kph and the long 8-hour runtime.
Deck and machine are constructed of aircraft-grade aluminium which is lightweight and extremely robust.
The combination gives power comparable to a 37hp diesel machine without the noise and running costs, which is very impressive indeed. The machine is so quiet! It is great for noise-sensitive sites, the operator and bystanders.
Although the initial purchase cost is quite a bit more than equivalent conventional mowers, recent excessive fuel prices, and maintenance items such as air filters, fuel filters, oil filters, spark plugs and so forth, are not an issue with the Mean Green Evo, so there’s a huge cost saving on consumables, labour and fuel. That equates to enormous running-cost savings over the life of the machine.
Charging and rego
Charge time is 12 hours for a fully depleted battery, so it’s an easy overnight recharge after a full day’s use. It is worth noting the batteries have no memory, so can be charged at any point, whether fully or partially depleted.
Another optional extra fitted to the test machine was a lightweight canopy for the operator’s protection that doubles as a battery charger with solar panels on the top. This can add another 30-40 minutes to the runtime when operating on a sunny day.
An optional lightweight canopy doubles as a battery charger with solarpanels and can add another 30-40 minutes to the runtime on a sunny day.
Also fitted to the Evo I tested was the fanciest conditional rego kit I have seen. It has its own control panel on the dash for easy operation and includes not only a tiny but effective flashing beacon, but also LED lights, blinkers and a horn.
The rear-discharge deck is a massive 74 inches wide and has 5 blades, and there’s a mulching kit available. Two of the blades spin in opposite directions to the other three, ensuring optimum grass cut and grass deflection/mulching whether rear-discharging or mulching. Rear-discharge decks are the only option for this model. Each blade is operated by its own 3kW electric motor, with the blade attached directly to the motor driveshaft rather than the conventional spindle setup. This eliminates massive amounts of maintenance and consumables; there are no pulleys, no belts, no grease points and therefore no maintenance at all on the top of the deck. The only maintenance/consumable within the entire cutting system is the blades. ‘Tweels’ were fitted to both the front and rear of the Evo I tested, eliminating downtime from flat tyres. They are also a bit more forgiving on uneven terrain.
‘Tweels’ were fitted to both front and rear of the Evo,eliminating downtime from flat tyres.
Mean Green’s Impulse Drive System gives instant power.
It does take a bit to get used to as the controls are so extremely light and responsive, although after about 15 minutes of operation I was confident and it was a pleasure to operate. It felt like I was just lightly guiding the control levers rather than pushing and pulling them like a conventional zero-turn, and therefore there’s much less effort required from the operator, and that reduces fatigue.
Controls are extremely light and responsive.
There are two blade speeds that can be changed effortlessly to suit the grass and conditions with the touch on the control-panel screen. The drive speed of the Evo also has two speeds that can be changed in the same way, with a touch on the control screen. Changing between the two speeds can conserve battery life by operating in the slower speeds if grass conditions allow. Cutting heights can be changed in ¼-inch increments at a touch, and the deck can be lifted and lowered via an electric ram.
Blade speeds and drive speed can be selected with a touchon the control-panel screen.
Foot controls allow the operator to raise or lower the deck in incrementswith a tap on either side of a foot-operated rocker pedal.
Foot controls allow the operator to raise or lower the deck with a tap on either side of a foot-operated rocker pedal, or hold the pedal in place to raise fully or lower to a pre-set height.
Summing up
At the front of the foot well are three operational indicator lights easily viewed by the operator. Three greens indicate cutting height and speed are correct for the conditions, yellow lights indicate cutting height is good but ground speed is too fast, while red lights indicate the operator is pushing the machine too hard and should re-assess speed and cutting heights.
Overall, I would have to admit my passion for internal combustion engines – which I previously thought could never be replaced by batteries and electric motors – is now being questioned. I could not fault the Mean Green Evo in either performance or build quality. It is a pleasure to operate and performs as well as its conventional petrol and diesel rivals while being quieter, more environmentally friendly, easier on the operator and much cheaper to maintain and run.
Mean Green SK-48 Stalker Stand On Mower
The Mean Green SK-48 Stalker stand on mower is an excellent, high-quality, battery-operated mower. The 48-inch stand-on mower comes with all of Mean Green’s standard features with a few special additions. This mower is one of the first to create a commercial stand on that is all battery.
Whether you like it or not, this mower is the future. It is an innovative step in the right direction. It definitely may not be the best mower or the best price for a commercial mower. But it is a step toward innovation, that I can appriate.
Let’s take a look at the details of this mower.
Battery Life
The Mean Green SK-48 Stalker stand on mower is powered using lithium energy batteries. To use the mower, you need to charge the batteries beforehand and unplug the model before you take it to the lawn.
When it comes to battery life, you have two options. Depending on your budget, you can get this mower with the Estate Package (LEM4870) or the Contractor Package (LEM48112). The first one comes with one battery that can run up to three and a half hours in one go.
If that isn’t enough for your mowing needs, you can choose the slightly expensive contractor package which comes with 2 batteries. Both batteries run parallel to one another, so you can get around 7 hours of running time.
Durability
With its 7-gauge steel chassis and deck, the Mean Green SK-48 Stalker stand on mower has the kind of powerful frame you want in a commercial mower. The lightning holes and careful designed framework make the body extremely lightweight. Since the mower weighs between 730 to 846 pounds, you can easily balance and operate this model on rugged terrain or around obstacles.
Additionally, because it is an electric mower, there are no spindles, belts, pulleys, or oils to weigh it down or clutter the deck. This lowers the center of gravity, making this one of the best options for mowing hilly areas or uneven terrain. Overall, the Sk-48 is extremely durable and long-lasting. Individual parts are easy to source and replace too.
Features
The Mean Green SK-48 is packed with features. Aside from being one of the first battery powered stand on mowers, it also has a few other things that make it stand out.
- up to 7 hour battery life (with 2 batteries)
- 3 light system to ensure correct mowing speed for quality of cut and good battery life
- Light mower at only 730 – 845 lbs
- low speed at 5 mph and high speed at 8 mph
- 24 HP equivalent power
- Flat free front tires
- Optional accessories like USB port, grass catcher, rear discharge mulching deck, and QTXN debris blower
Speed Options
There are two speed options in the Mean Green SK-48 Stalker stand on mower. To pick between the two, you simply move the knob on your dashboard from low to high, which will take your driving speed from 5 miles per hour to 8 miles per hour. Generally, the low option is for cutting while the high option is for driving your mower to or from the site.
However, these are up to user discretion and you can drive your mower at your preferred speed. The simply knob system makes it easy to make the change as many times as you want.
Height Adjustment
The Mean Green SK-48 Stalker stand on mower gives you a solid range of fifteen height options, from 1.25 inches to 5 inches. During regular working, your mower’s height is locked in tow mode. To change this setting, you can undo the safety lock and move the lever to a different setting.
I do wish the height adjustment pin was in a better location. It is kind of difficult to reach without bending over or getting off of the mower. I prefer to have the height of cut adjustment near the control panel on stand on mowers.
Durable Front Tires
The Mean Green SK-48 comes with flat free tires that last twice as long as other tire options and require little maintenance. Since there are no tubes, you won’t have to worry about refilling. However, you get the same results as air-filled tires, especially if you get Mean Green’s ride suspension.
Cut Quality
The cutting blades are connected to an electric motor which in turn is attached to the controller that you can use to alter the speed. If your mower slows down, this controller will simply send more power to the motor to speed it up.
This is a special feature in the Mean Green SK-48 Stalker stand on mower, which sets it apart from other mowers on the market. Because of this setting, the system self-regulates the cutting blades so you can maintain top speed for thin or thick grass.
Overall, you get a precise cut and the quality is consistent no matter the terrain or type of grass. When you’re mowing thick grass, the mower loses less than 5 percent efficiency. This minimal loss is not visibly noticeable.
Discharge Options
When it comes to the discharge of cut grass, the Mean Green SK-48 Stalker stand on mower comes with two options. For general use, there is a side discharge deck to the right of the cutting deck. You can attach a grass catcher here and keep the waste grass from spilling out.
Alternatively, the mower also comes with the option to switch to a rear discharge deck. If you go with this method, the grass is thrown out the back. You can even purchase accessories or additional attachments like an optional front end blower.
Sound Quality
Not only is the Green SK-48 Stalker a zero-emission, environmentally-friendly model, it’s also extremely quiet. One of the biggest customer complaints landscapers hear is that their mower makes a lot of noise that disrupts residents, neighbors, and anyone within a 50-foot radius.
The best thing about the Green SK-48 is that it makes very little noise, less than 76 dba. If you’re 30 feet away from the mower, you won’t hear it. This can be a very attractive point to pull in potential customers, especially in residential areas or near a hospital or school.
Long-term Savings
If you are a professional who’s going to use your mower day-in and day-out, you need to look at more than just the initial cost for a mower. With gas options, you need fuel, oil, cleaning and maintenance, all of which require a considerable budget on a weekly basis.
The Mean Green SK-48 Stalker stand on mower doesn’t have any of these needs. In fact, when you take the long-term costs into consideration, you’ll find that buying this mower actually saves you 7 dollars an hour in terms of running and maintenance costs.
Warranty
When you’re buying a commercial mower, the warranty is an important factor in the decision making process. With the Mean Green SK-48, you get a 2-year mower warranty. However, you also get a 3-year warranty for the battery with both residential and commercial use.
Price
There are two different packages for the Mean Green Stalker, the Estate package (1 battery) and the Contractor Package (2 batteries.) The Estate Package starts around 14,000 and the Contractor package starts around 18,000.
The price is definitely high when compared to a comparable gas powered stand on, but this is the story for almost every electric powered commercial mower on the market. They are a higher upfront cost, however they are a lower cost to operate.
Wright Stander B Review
Wright has done it again with the new Wright Stander B. They have created a new category in the stand on mower market. The Stander B is an entry level commercial stand on mower. So, who is this mower for? If you’re in need of a smaller deck, but only need one for a few Read …
Scag V-Ride 2 Stand On Mower Review
UPDATED: May 2020 The Scag V-Ride II is the newest stand on mower in the Scag line up. It is a major upgrade from the original V-ride. The mower gives an amazing cut and is one of the top stand on mower on the market. Starting with the positives the Velocity deck on this stand Read …
Bobcat Quickcat Stand On Mower Review
The Bobcat QuickCat 4000 stand on mower has been out for a couple of years now. We have been able to demo this mower a few times since its release. It is Bobcat’s first jump into the stand on mower market, outside of a few upgrades. At first glance, it looked like a decent stand Read …
Outdated lawn mowers: why we don’t recommend gas lawn mowers
A good lawn mower is essential. It keeps grass healthy, tidy and beautiful, making it a safe and and useful part of your yard for kids to play, the dog to run around, or simply for sitting out. However, we’re no longer recommending gas lawn mowers.
Today, when you’re searching for the best lawn mowers to suit your yard there are better choices you can make than opting for a gas-powered mower, and for a variety of reasons, too.
Here, we explain the arguments that have led us to no longer advise that you buy a gas lawn mower and reveal the benefits their electric counterparts can offer with advice from experts.
Why we don’t recommend gas lawn mowers
We’ve weighed up the evidence, and our conclusion is that gas lawn mowers are outdated, and that’s why we’re no longer recommending them. And we’re not alone in reaching this conclusion.
‘Gas-powered lawn mowers have fallen out of favor with with the domestic gardener for a variety of reasons,’ says Steve Bradley, an expert for Amateur Gardening. ‘They are noisy, smoky and usually heavier than other types of mower and need more maintenance. Many have a high proportion of metal parts which can be corroded by close contact with grass sap if not thoroughly cleaned after use. and more gardeners are considering the environmental impact of their actions and see electric power as a cleaner, eco-friendly method of gardening.’
This is what you need to know about your buying options.
Steve has written (or co-written) over 40 practical gardening books. He has been Gardening Correspondent for The Sun newspaper since 2002, answering hundreds of readers’ letters every year. He also has a weekly column in Amateur Gardening magazine.
Lawn mower power
You don’t need to use a gas lawn mower to get great results. ‘There’s no difference in cut,’ says product expert at Homes Gardens Alex David.
‘A good, top-line electric or cordless mower will perform as well – if not better – than a gas mower. Electric and cordless mowers put out the same power output while being much lighter because their motors are smaller. That improves the quality of cut, because they’re easier to handle and lets you be precise along the edges of your lawn. You don’t need an expensive gas mower for a perfectly level lawn when a cheap electric mower can do the same job.’
As Head of eCommerce, Alex makes sure our readers find the right information to help them make the best purchase. After graduating from Cambridge University, Alex got his start in reviewing at the iconic Good Housekeeping Institute, testing a wide range of household products and appliances. He then moved to BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine, assessing gardening tools, machinery, and wildlife products, including dozens of lawn mowers.
Environmental considerations
The environment is one reason for choosing a mower that doesn’t use gas – although this is a complex issue. ‘Electric and corded mowers are probably more eco-friendly than petrol mowers,’ says outdoor expert at Homes Gardens Alex David.
‘I’m a little skeptical of this one – electric mowers are powered from the grid, and most of that energy is produced by coal and gas anyway. That’s doubly true for cordless mowers, which are marketed as a green alternative but will likely be charged up with electricity produced in fossil-fuel power plants, as well as using lithium cells; lithium mining is also environmentally harmful.
‘I’m yet to anything truly convincing, but given that these batteries produce no greenhouse gases in use, unlike gas mowers, I’d carefully suggest that electric and cordless mowers are a little more environmentally friendly.’
Mowing noise
Noise is another reason why we don’t favor gas lawn mowers. ‘Both types of electric mowers (corded and battery powered) are much quieter than gas-powered versions,’ says Steve Bradley.
‘Mechanical engines are loud, particularly if you need to keep revving the machine to cope with long grass, an uneven surface or an incline. With electric mowers, the machine provides a constant low-level hum, and the most noise actually comes from the sound of the blades cutting through longer grass. Even then, the noise is much less intrusive.’
HG’s Alex David agrees. ‘Electric and corded mowers are also much less antisocial than gas mowers,’ he says. ‘Gas mowers are much louder, because not only do they have blades whirring over grass, but they also have the revving sound of the engine. They give off noxious petrol fumes, too – it’s not something your neighbors want to breathe in while they enjoy their yards.’
Running time
The issue of electric mower running time might have you thinking that gas lawn mowers aren’t an out-of-date buying choice but – as in issues of lawn mower power – things have moved on, and batteries provide power for longer than they did in the past.
‘Most manufacturers will provide an estimated run time for a battery-powered machine,’ says Steve Bradley. ‘This can only be an estimate, as it will vary depending on the lawn’s condition: length of grass and how wet/dry it is when you mow (we found these average at approximately 50 minutes on a full charge). However, this can easily be extended by purchasing a second battery (or more) and/or a “fast charger”. A corded mower will have few limitations to the run time.’
Bear in mind, too, that most of us use mowers for relatively short periods at a time, and likely only once a week.
Mower maintenance
Issues of maintenance – both what’s required and the costs – also led us to change our recommendations on mowers.
‘Gas-powered mowers have many moving parts and, to work efficiently, they should have at least one routine overhaul a year (usually in winter), to keep them in good condition,’ says Steve Bradley. ‘This can be done at home, but is most commonly done by the supplier or dealership, which can make it costly.
‘Electric mowers need very little maintenance, other than being cleaned after use. The blades can be sharpened at home and, if they become damaged, are easily replaced. These machines contain a large proportion of plastic-type materials to reduce weight and these do not corrode when exposed to grass sap.
‘In the event that a battery fails (and they do), it can be replaced without affecting the actual lawnmower. Many actually come with their own warranty of around two to three years.’
Law and regulations
Changes to the law also influenced our decision to no longer recommend gas lawn mowers. California is phasing out gas-powered mowers and leaf blowers, for example, while other states are considering similar measures.
It’s also the case that in municipalities where yard noise is regulated, a powerful gas lawn mower can exceed the level that’s acceptable, where a quieter electric mower won’t make your activity out of line.
Company phase-out
It’s worth bearing in mind that gas lawn mower choice is reducing. ‘Lots of companies are phasing them out of use,’ explains HG’s Alex David. ‘Honda has already stopped production on their gas mowers. I’ve not seen anything explicit on this, but my hunch is that gas mowers are expensive to manufacture and are necessarily more expensive for consumers.
‘Electric and cordless mowers can cost as little as 100 and therefore open up a whole new mowing market which isn’t served by gas mowers. This means that even if you buy a gas mower before they stop production, it will be hard to find replacement parts or to make claims on warranty.’
Are electric lawn mowers better than gas?
There are a variety of factors than mean electric lawn mowers are better than gas. ‘I stopped reviewing and using gas mowers a few years ago for several reasons,’ says product expert at Homes Gardens Alex David.
‘The first is that electric and cordless mowers are just faster and easier to use. There’s no extra hassle of going to a gas station or hardware store and buying gas and filling up the tank. You don’t need somewhere safe to store your gas, and there’s no risk of spills. You also don’t have a temperamental rope pull start. With electric and cordless mowers, you switch them on. That’s it.’
When will California ban gas mowers?
The state of California will ban small off-road engines on January 1 2024. This includes gas mowers and and gas-powered leaf blowers. There is a 30m rebate budget, but it doesn’t apply to domestic use in every air district; you can check if the rebate applies to you at the California Air Resources Board.
Can cordless mowers cut tall grass?
Yes, they can. Early cordless models would struggle, but more recent, efficient mowers can easily cut tall grass.
Final thoughts
Electric mowers are worth choosing because they’ve reached a level that makes them the top option. ‘While the pitfalls of gas-powered machinery are not new, it is only recently that users have been offered a viable alternative,’ explains Steve Bradley, an expert for Amateur Gardening.
‘Until recently electric mowers were simply not a practical alternative – the cords were too short or the batteries too weak. However, new lithium ion battery technology means that modern mowers can offer higher torque, longer run times and, crucially, faster recharge times. Things have improved so much that several manufacturers offer high-voltage battery tools systems aimed entirely towards the professional user.’
Professional landscapers are reluctant to plug into electric mowers due to cost
Austin Acocella, co-owner of Acocella Landscaping in Westchester County, N.Y., is holding onto his gas-powered mowers. He says electric ride-ons are too expensive for him to switch right now. Matthew Schuerman hide caption
Austin Acocella, co-owner of Acocella Landscaping in Westchester County, N.Y., is holding onto his gas-powered mowers. He says electric ride-ons are too expensive for him to switch right now.
SCARSDALE, N.Y. — Electric lawn mowers have taken the U.S. consumer market by storm over the past few years. And they’ve done so quietly — about 20 decibels more quietly in some cases.
Once restricted to lawns no larger than the length of an extension cord, mowers on the market today run on lithium ion batteries that can last 45 minutes or more without charging and cost about as much as gas-powered versions. And in 2021, according to market research company FactMR, electric lawn mowers made up 37% of all sales.
But professional landscapers, who have to run their machines all day, day after day, have yet to join the trend in large numbers. Electric heavy-duty ride-on mowers make up just 11% of the total market for all heavy-duty ride-on mowers.
“For homeowners, I feel like it’s great,” said Austin Acocella, co-owner of Acocella Landscaping in Scarsdale, N.Y. “The battery just doesn’t last long, especially for the stuff that I do.”
He has checked out commercial-grade mowers with batteries that can last six or more hours, but hasn’t wanted to pay the upfront costs. A 52-inch-wide ride-on model, the Rival from Mean Green Mowers, starts at nearly 30,000. That is more than three times a comparable gas-powered machine – though the manufacturer says the customer will break even given significantly lower operation and maintenance costs.
“In the future I would love to buy them, but right at this second, I just can’t because of inflation and just everything that’s going on,” Acocella says. “I just can’t swing it yet.”
Acocella and his employees began using hand-held electric devices – leaf blowers, weed whackers and hedge trimmers – last year when one of his clients, the town of Larchmont, required it. He’s begun to use them on other properties as well because they are lighter, much quieter, and don’t emit pollutants. But with the exception of the hedge trimmer, he says, they need frequent battery changes and are not as powerful.
“I need something that’s going to last long or something that’s easy,” Austin says. “Like I have a gas can, it’s on a truck that I just fuel up and I go. How many batteries do I need to have in order to get through the day?”
Mean Green Mowers, a 10-year-old electric lawn mower company based in Ohio, sells commercial-grade ride-on lawn mowers with long-lasting batteries. Jen Stroker (left), regional development manager for the company, and Raymond Rocco, co-owner of C.R. Power, which sells the products, demonstrated the Rival model in a Port Chester, N.Y., park recently. Matthew Schuerman hide caption
Mean Green Mowers, a 10-year-old electric lawn mower company based in Ohio, sells commercial-grade ride-on lawn mowers with long-lasting batteries. Jen Stroker (left), regional development manager for the company, and Raymond Rocco, co-owner of C.R. Power, which sells the products, demonstrated the Rival model in a Port Chester, N.Y., park recently.
Bans on gas-powered gear
Yet landscapers are being pressured to change – sometimes by clients and sometimes by governments. Last fall, the California Legislature passed a law requiring that all new landscaping equipment sold in the state be emissions-free beginning Jan. 1, 2024.
The state and national landscaping associations objected, arguing that electric equipment wasn’t advanced enough to operate for long periods of time, and in some cases, did not work as well as gas equipment. As proof, they cited a study from the California State University at Fullerton to show that zero emissions equipment hadn’t caught on among professionals. The study found that less than 6% of equipment used by landscapers were zero-emissions, compared to more than 50% of the gear used by homeowners.
But Assemblymember Marc Berman, the bill’s author, disputes the industry’s characterization of zero-emissions equipment.
“This equipment is ready today,” said Berman, a Democrat from Palo Alto. “There are at least eight brands that produce zero emission equipment in each major equipment category for commercial equipment.”
After that bill was passed, New York State Sen. Pete Harckham introduced a similar bill in Albany. Though it did not pass in the regular session, Harckham told NPR he plans to re-introduce it but has not decided on when the mandate would take effect.
Both the California legislation and the New York proposal only address the sale of new equipment, meaning landscapers and homeowners can continue using their existing gas-powered tools.
Numerous cities and towns across the country have gone further and restricted the use – as opposed to just the purchase – of gas-powered leaf blowers. And this month, two municipalities in Marin County, Calif., – Fairfax and Sausalito – banned the use of other gas-powered equipment as well, including mowers, to be phased in over the next 18 months.
Mixed environmental impact
Electric lawn mowers won’t help much in terms of climate-changing emissions – people just don’t mow their lawns nearly as much as they drive. The California Air Resources Board, for example, estimates that phasing out gasoline-powered lawn equipment will save an average of 0.66 million metric tons of CO2 a year, while the state produced 418 million tons in 2019 – the last year data was available.
But the agency found that gasoline-powered engines produce substantial amounts of other pollutants, such as nitrogen oxide, which can lead to respiratory difficulties and smog. In addition, researchers have raised concerns about the impact of the equipment’s noise and vibrations on operators’ health.
Large, commercial-grade equipment is used on a significant proportion of green spaces around the country – not only public properties and office parks. The California State University survey found, for example, that half of the state’s residents with lawns hired landscapers to take care of them, either partially or fully.
Drawbacks of mandates
Still, even some supporters of green landscaping oppose mandating electric equipment, arguing that it may cause small landscapers – an important employer of immigrants and limited-skill workers – to go out of business.
“If you just ban the use of equipment, you’re really putting the entire onus on the landscapers to come up with the money that they need to purchase the equipment,” said Jamie Banks, the founder and CEO of the non-profit Quiet Communities, Inc. “It’s not just purchasing the tool but also purchasing enough batteries and enough chargers that they can meet their work production needs.”
And some of those batteries are expensive – as much as 1,500 for a backpack-style one to power a leaf blower. California lawmakers have so far allocated 30 million for subsidies to offset the higher landscapers will have to pay for new electric equipment. But the National Association of Landscape Professionals said the amount breaks down to just 15 for each piece of gas-powered equipment that landscapers in the state need to replace.
Berman, the state legislator, said that he is hoping to get more subsidies in the budget for the coming year.
Quiet Communities and another nonprofit, the American Green Zone Alliance, have been working with towns, school districts, and other entities to adopt zero-emissions equipment for their own properties, but to do so voluntarily. So far, they say they have recruited about 20 locales and institutions across the country to take part in their program.
“I think the writing is on the wall,” Banks said. “It’s just, how do we get there in a way that’s, you know, fair, most efficient and so forth.”