The familiar noise of petrol-powered gardening equipment is beginning to change as landscapers and equipment makers turn toward battery-powered tools.
Noise is a major reason cities across the US are restricting petrol landscaping tools or encouraging electric options. Electric equipment can also reduce carbon emissions, vibrations and workers’ exposure to pollution. Because these tools are quieter, landscapers may also be able to work for longer hours in areas where noise restrictions apply.
The American Green Zone Alliance (AGZA) is helping support this transition. During a training session, an electric backpack leaf blower was found to be relatively light and easy to use. It still produces a buzz, but the sound is higher-pitched and quieter than petrol-powered machines.
The shift is also attracting companies from outside the traditional gardening equipment market. US aerospace startup Whisper Aero, which develops electric propulsion systems for aircraft, entered the space after finding that its aerospace-grade fans could work effectively in leaf blowers.
“Our technology is cleaner, quieter and more efficient than other air-moving technologies that exist today,” said Andrew Terajewicz, Whisper Aero’s director of air management. “And the leaf blower is the perfect mix of this.”
Whisper Aero’s blower can operate for up to 15 minutes at full power. The company has expanded its manufacturing capacity and began online pre-orders for its handheld leaf blower this year. Its product is priced at the higher end of the electric blower market, which is generally more expensive than petrol models.
Electric equipment, however, still faces major challenges. Petrol machines remain more powerful and can complete jobs faster. Heavy-duty petrol backpack blowers can produce around 50 newtons of blowing force, while Whisper Aero’s handheld model typically delivers about half that, although it can go higher.
Battery runtime is another concern for professional landscapers who often work at full power. Carlos Camarena, a supervisor at a California landscaping company, said his company uses electric tools where local rules require them but prefers petrol equipment when it has a choice.
His company typically uses batteries that last around 30 minutes. A crew keeps 6 batteries charging, with each taking about 45 minutes to fully recharge.
The upfront cost is also significant. One landscaper estimates that converting an entire business to electric equipment could cost around $10,000 (£7,540). Government subsidies and rebates may not fully cover the expense, while sole proprietors can face additional challenges involving charging space, storage, equipment weight and battery accessories.
Despite these barriers, major power-tool makers are increasing their investment in battery technology. German manufacturer Stihl aims for battery-powered equipment to account for 35% of sales by 2027 and 80% by 2035.
Stihl is on track to meet its 2027 target in Europe, although US sales have grown more slowly. In 2025, the company opened its first plant dedicated entirely to producing batteries and tools in Romania.
“We like to say that we are dual-technology leaders,” said Paul Hicks, senior marketing and product manager at Stihl GB. “So we are being very open with our customers if in some cases a petrol tool may be a better solution for them… But in the large majority of cases, battery-power tools pay off fairly swiftly because of the cost of fuel.”
In May, Stihl introduced a new battery system using tabless lithium cells, which the company says offer 60% more peak power than standard cells. The design allows faster charging and can reduce the number of batteries landscapers need to carry.
Dan Mabe, founder of AGZA, believes the benefits could be significant for professionals who can make electric equipment work for their operations.
In southern California, Camarena also sees a clear advantage. “We don’t contaminate the air,” he said.
“When we use the gas blower, some people get mad. They are reading a book or something.”
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