You squeeze the bail. You plant your feet and twist your torso. Then, you reach down and grab the handle. Torquing with your core and yanking with your arm, you give a pull or two and then hear the familiar roar.
Few things are more American than the homeowner’s gas-powered push mower, the best running on Honda or Briggs & Stratton engines. But, unfortunately, they will be illegal in California soon, along with your gas-powered chainsaw and weed wacker. And your hometown may be next.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill in early October banning all gas-powered equipment. Beyond lawn care equipment, that includes pressure washers, generators, golf carts, and pumps. Your dirt bike is safe for now.
As goes California on these big-government green initiatives, so goes a slew of local governments eager to appear progressive. Usually, they start with leaf blowers and cite their legitimately horrible roar. Washington’s gas-powered leaf blower law goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2022. Other gas-powered equipment is also noisy, which gives an added push to the environmentalists looking to ban small engines.
Two-stroke engines are less fuel-efficient than car engines, and they pollute more per gallon too. Nowadays, homeowners and professional landscapers have alternatives because battery-powered equipment is far more powerful than in the old days.
Newsom calls your DeWalt 60-volt chainsaw a “zero emissions” tool, but that’s not true. The emissions all occur on the edge of town at the power plant that recharges your batteries after you’re done working. And California is known for its unreliable energy supply. Adding a ton of demand as everyone has to charge to mow or wash won’t make things worse?
Of course, battery-powered stuff is much more expensive than old-fashioned equipment. So, you either buy the Ryobi, which is low-end, or you shell out $700 for the green-branded (and aptly named) Ego mower, plus the charger and batteries.
Neighbors will appreciate the serenity. You won’t have to fuss with gunked-up carburetors anymore. And what’s nicer than quality time with your family while you wait four hours to finish the lawn while your batteries recharge?
