Enjoy Yardwork With Quiet, Clean Equipment

Those taking a stroll in the motorized landscaping equipment aisle of their local hardware stores may notice something in common among the newest models — they are all electric.  The latest California Air Resources Board (CARB) regulations on small off-road engines (SORE) took effect on January 1, 2024, requiring new models to be zero-emissions. Generators and large pressure washers are given a bit more time to meet this standard – their start date begins in 2028.

Residents and businesses are free to continue using their existing gas-powered equipment or buying used, though there are plenty of benefits to switching to electric. Electric tools are price-competitive with their older gas counterparts and have lower maintenance and operating costs to boot.

Electric equipment is often more accessible than their gas-powered counterparts. Pulling the start cord on a gas engine and pushing around weighty equipment can be disabling for people with certain mobility and strength issues; push-button starts and lighter loads let more people use these landscaping tools and make them more pleasant for everyone. The quieter operating volumes of electric motors are easier on the ears and less disrupting to neighbors. Electric equipment is odorless and avoids messy fuel tank refills and trips to the gas station.

The air quality benefits extend far beyond the block, as smog-forming SORE emissions are much higher than those of passenger cars. A gas leaf blower running for just half an hour emits more pollution than a car driving from Hayward to San Diego!

Whenever making the transition, it is important to dispose of old equipment properly. StopWaste’s RE:Source tool details locations and programs for recycling old equipment.  Hayward residents can also call Waste Management at (510) 537-5500 to schedule a free bulky pickup to get the gear where it needs to go.