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Your Next Leaf Blower Will Be Electric
In cased you missed it, still-Governor of California Gavin Newsom recently signed into a law banning the sale of gas-powered lawn mowers and leaf blowers. If you think this does not affect you because you do not live in the Golden State, think again. Under Brandeis’ famous theory that U.S. states are “laboratories of democracy,” it is nearly a guarantee that this initiative will spread to more jurisdictions across the country. Are you ready to make the switch?
To start, it is worth noting why the law was enacting in the first place. With its always-raging wildfires, California is at the frontline of climate change, and according to lawmakers equipment like leaf blowers emitted more daily pollutants in 2020 than passenger cars. This may seem hard to believe, but then again people certainly did drive less in 2020 so perhaps it has some merit. And sooner or later, gas-powered cars will also be phased out. Many automakers are already preparing for this inevitability.
There are two main types of electric leaf blowers on the market: Cordless battery-powered leaf blowers and corded leaf blowers. In recent years, cordless leaf blowers have been the most popular non-gas option available.
Before other manufacturers have been able to adapt, a company called Greenworks has staked out its place as the market leader in electric lawn technology. They offer cordless leaf blowers at multiple price points:
Greenworks 40V (150 MPH) Cordless Leaf Blower, 2.0Ah Battery and Charger Included 24252 — $122.07
Obviously the main difference between a 40V leaf blower and an 80V leaf blower is power. Greenworks’ 40V machine has a CFM of 135, whereas the more powerful offers 580 CFM. (CFM stands for Cubic Feet for Minute and is the standard industry measurement for airflow.) If you have a large land area you need to cover, the 80V option, despite being significantly more expensive, is going to be your best bet.
You may be skeptical about battery-operated leaf blowers. For one, there are quality control concerns about the batteries—although theoretically rechargeable, at some point you will need to pay for a replacement battery. Furthermore, they can be altogether unwieldy and heavier than your current leaf blowing needs. In that case, corded is still an option.
At only $40, the Greenworks corded leaf blower is significantly cheaper.
Greenworks 9 Amp Jet Electric Leaf Blower, BA09B00 — $39.99
At 530 CFM and 135 MPH, it is still plenty powerful. The main downside is that your range is completely at the mercy of the length of the cord (though you could always buy a compatible extension cord). This is a good option for small yards or sidewalks leading up to the house, but it is impractical for covering larger areas.
It should be noted that legacy manufacturers like Black + Decker, Toro, Makita and WORX have started offering their own electric models, and that selection is only going to expand in the years ahead. Whether you make the switch now or you wait until you have no choice, it is time to start planning for your next leaf blower purchase.