Electrifying your lawn care

Electric lawn care equipment options are becoming more popular, offering consumers faster charging times, longer battery life and quieter, greener products compared with their gas-powered counterparts. 

Early models of electric lawn mowers required tricky-to-maneuver cords, but the cord has been cut. Newer, cordless electric mowers are more expensive than gas-powered mowers, but much of the upfront cost can be recovered since electricity is a cheaper fuel than gas, and electric engines generally require less maintenance than gas engines. Cordless electric mowers typically range from $200 to $500. 

Electric mower batteries usually require one to two hours to fully charge and most can run for a full hour. But if your yard is a half-acre or more, a gas-powered option may be best. 

Electric trimmers 

New versions of electric string trimmers are improving and are now considered worthy competitors of gas-powered models. A great option for most lawns, these cordless trimmers are quieter and easier to use, but most batteries last about 30 to 45 minutes. So, if you have a lot of space to trim, you may want to look at a back-up battery or plan to work in short bursts. 

If you’re considering buying a cordless electric trimmer, look at the battery’s life, charge time and power. Costs can vary depending on your needs, but you can find a quality model for about $100. 

As always with equipment purchases, do your homework before investing in electric lawn care devices: search online for reviews and check trusted websites.

ABBY BERRY writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.