Can battery power match the performance of gas?

Battery technology is here, now. It is proven, economical, and ready for full-scale deployment so we can all benefit today from no toxic fumes and less noise

Independent testing by Consumer Reports in 2025 and manufacturer data show battery blowers deliver 25 to 36 Newtons of force, matching or exceeding commercial gas models. Battery blowers are commercial-grade and, according to industry reports and independent evaluators, are equal to or superior to gas in producing airflow, while reducing operating noise and not polluting the air.

Crews in Montclair and Maplewood, New Jersey, for just two local examples, complete full workdays without interruption and report fewer breakdowns because there are no engines to flood or plugs to foul. They finish their routes on time.

A large volume of batteries isn’t necessary, as evidence from independent sources and professional crews attests. Charging systems, both overnight and mobile, make this feasible.

Do batteries last? According to manufacturers specifications, commercial-grade battery packs, such as the STIHL AP 500 S, are rated for around 2,500 charge cycles, equivalent to roughly five to ten years of daily use; EGO batteries are rated for 1,000 cycles. EGO batteries have 3 year warranties – the minimum life expectancy of their batteries.

Some have noted that battery units weigh more than gas and that work is therefore slower and thus more expensive. The newest commercial backpack models — the heaviest models— have addressed that problem and weigh about the same as gas units with comparable power. What’s gone are the vibrations, fumes, oil-mixing, and noise — a relief for workers and neighbors.

The evidence from independent assessors, manufacturers, and the 100s of municipalities with bans all show that landscapers can maintain healthy lawns with quieter, cleaner tools that perform as well as gas. The technology is here, now. It is proven, economical, and ready