How Green Are Electric Lawn Mowers?
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Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with advertisers on this site.
The performance of electric mowers has improved dramatically over the course of the decade that Consumer Reports has been testing them. And this year is no different.
From the $500 Ego LM2101 push mower to the $4,000 Cub Cadet RZT S Zero zero-turn-radius model, electric models occupy top slots in almost every category in Consumer Reports’ lawn mower tests.
“Electric mowers can now run 20 to 40 minutes on a single charge,” says Frank Spinelli, who oversees CR’s lawn mower tests. “That’s enough to cut anywhere from one-quarter to one-third of an acre, depending on the terrain, the height of your grass, and how fast you mow.”
Typically powered by lithium-ion batteries, electric mowers start effortlessly, run quietly, and eliminate the need for messy engine maintenance. And while they might appeal to anyone with a lawn, the biggest winner could be the environment.
The Pros and Cons of Electric Mowers
Emissions. “Electric mowers are vastly preferable to gas models because they generate no tailpipe emissions,” says Simon Mui, a Li-ion battery expert at the Natural Resources Defense Council. Compared with gas engines, which emit carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbons, he says, “electrics offer a lot of public-health benefits.”
Power source. Of course, where your power comes from will have an impact on just how clean your electric mower is. The electricity you use to charge your battery is probably coming from a nonrenewable source: Nationally, only about 13 percent of electricity is produced from renewable sources, meaning the rest comes largely from fossil fuels.
The Environmental Protection Agency’s Power Profiler can give you a breakdown of where your electricity comes from to help you assess your mower’s environmental footprint.
Landfill. There are other environmental considerations with battery-powered mowers. It’s not cost-effective to strip batteries for parts, so when they die they’re typically frozen, crushed, and tossed in landfills. The liquids in Li-ion batteries don’t pose big hazards, Mui says, but they do contribute to landfill waste.
Limitations. Although today’s Li-ion batteries last much longer than they did even just a few years ago, the technology hasn’t reached the point where pros can rely on them. And that’s an issue, according to Dave Mullen, vice president of product marketing for Cub Cadet, which makes gas and electric mowers.
A homeowner might use her mower for 30 minutes or less per week, but Mullen says commercial landscapers are using equipment 8 to 10 hours per day, sometimes six days a week. Refilling mowers with gas is more practical than continually recharging batteries.
Cost. Top-scoring electric riding mowers, including the Ryobi R48110 rear-engine rider, $2,500, and Cub Cadet RZT S Zero ZTR, $4,000, are significantly more expensive than similar-performing gasoline models, although there’s a good chance you’ll recoup the higher up-front cost.
It’s also worth pointing out that a brand-new gas mower has a much more efficient engine from that of a similar gas model from five years ago. So even if you’re not able or inclined to give up gas entirely, mulching clippings and cutting less frequently is a great place to start becoming greener. Your lawn will thank you.
For more mower choices, see our full lawn mower ratings and recommendations.
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