BATTERY POWERED POPULARITY

TurfPro editor, Laurence Gale, writes . . .

Over the last eighteen months, I have personally seen a dramatic change in the attitude of professional end users in in their mindset towards the use of battery-powered tools. This trend reflects a growing preference for environmentally friendly, low-maintenance, and quieter alternatives in gardening and landscaping. 

The global market for cordless/battery-powered gardening tools is growing rapidly. Innovations in battery technology (e.g, lithium-ion batteries) have improved the performance and run-time of these tools, making them a viable alternative to petrol machinery.

Homeowners and casual gardeners increasingly favour battery-powered tools for their ease of use, while petrol-powered tools still remain popular among professional landscapers and for heavy-duty applications due to their superior power and longer run-times.

However, with the ever increasing durability and longer running times, these battery powered products are catching up fast with some petrol driven products, which in turn is encouraging professional users to start looking at these alternatives.

We now have a plethora of manufacturers chasing the professional markets with plenty of historic brands, as well as new brands, offering a wide range of battery powered products. 

The advantages of battery-powered tools are numerous. They are eco-friendlily in use, with zero emissions during operation. They are significantly quieter, which is ideal for residential areas and working in sensitive areas. Also the maintenance of these tools is lower, with no need for oil changes, fuel storage, or carburetor maintenance.

Governments in many regions are implementing stricter emissions regulations and offering incentives for adopting battery-powered equipment. Many local councils are now implementing procurement plans for their maintenance departments to switch to cleaner and more environmentally friendly practices. 

I have myself, conducted a number of product reviews over the last couple of years using range battery powered products supplied by the likes of STIHL, EGO, Makita and Milwaukee. All of which have been very impressive.

There is no doubt that the introduction of several new brands has reinvigorated many established companies to start offering a larger range of battery driven products. We are now seeing a vast choice of products being sold across all markets.

While petrol-powered gardening tools still hold a significant share of the market, especially among professionals, the popularity of battery-powered tools is growing at a faster pace. This shift is driven by advances in battery technology, environmental concerns, and regulatory changes. 

I believe battery-powered tools are likely to dominate the residential market in the near future and gradually encroach on the professional segment as their capabilities improve.