Unlike models from only a few years ago, many of today’s electric mowers have the power and battery life to keep up with gas mowers.
Q: I’m seeing a lot of ads lately for electric lawn mowers, but from what I’ve heard, they can be underpowered, and the cordless ones lose their battery charge too quickly. Do you think it’s worth making the switch from a gas mower to an electric mower?
A: Until recently, corded and cordless electric mowers had a bad reputation for sub-par battery life and for being underpowered, but the best electric mowers on the market today can be a smart solution. It all depends on the size of your lawn, how often you mow and your lawncare preferences.
There are advantages to electric mowers. They are much quieter than gas-powered models, they start instantly and they produce no noxious fumes. A cordless, electric mower with a large, 56-volt battery can run for about one hour before needing to be recharged. If your normal mowing tasks take less time, battery life is a non-issue. Plug-in electric mowers don’t have this limitation but using a long electrical cord can be challenging. Consider the size of the lawn and access to outdoor outlets.
Quality electric mowers, especially the cordless, rechargeable ones, aren’t cheap. They tend to cost twice as much as a new equivalent gas model, but you can recover some of the expense with lower operating costs, since electricity is a less expensive fuel than gas. You’ll also save on repair costs, as electric motors generally require less maintenance than gas engines.
Given all these considerations, our advice is to weigh your priorities. If you have a small- to mid-size lot, you prioritize environmental concerns and you don’t mind navigating a cord or recharging batteries, an electric mower could be the right choice for you.
If you don’t mind the noise, maintenance and other hassles of a gas mower, or you have a large lot and need to keep your upfront investment low, a gas mower may be the way to go.
There is a third option that you might want to consider. If you’re willing to keep your lawn mowed regularly and don’t mind breaking a sweat, consider a manual reel mower. Some models are more effective than you might think, they’re far less expensive than gas and electric models and they require little maintenance or storage space.
Send questions to Energy Q&A, South Carolina Living, 808 Knox Abbott Drive, Cayce, SC 29033, or email energyqa@scliving.coop.