Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill that would phase out the sale of new gas-powered lawn equipment in the state by 2024.
California will soon be the first state to mandate the use of electric equipment for all lawn care activities, including trimming bushes and cutting grass, for both landscape contractors and homeowners. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) aims to improve air quality and the health of residents by requiring all landscaping operations in the state to use only electric or battery-powered equipment in the coming years.
According to officials at the California Air Resources Board, commercial gas lawnmowers significantly contribute to pollution and hazardous smog in the state’s environment. Shockingly, using a commercial gas-powered lawn mower for just one hour generates the same amount of hazardous pollution as driving a gasoline-powered car 300 miles from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. In response, the state is taking strict measures to outlaw gas-powered lawnmowers and leaf blowers.
California Aims For Zero-Emissions by 2024
California has a long history of passing laws to protect the environment, with many such laws being passed by the Legislature and signed into law by the governor. One of the latest laws signed by Governor Gavin Newsom aims to make gasoline-powered machines and small off-road engines (SOREs) used in lawn care and landscaping emission-free by 2024. This law is a significant step towards reducing smog-forming pollution, cancer-causing compounds, and lung-damaging particulate matter created by the unhealthy, smoky gas-operated engines of lawn mowers.
Vendors Will Be Prohibited From Selling Any Gasoline Products
The adoption of new regulations banning the use of harmful gasoline-powered machines in lawn care and landscaping is a significant step towards protecting the environment and public health in California. Lawnmowers and leaf blowers have been identified as major sources of air pollution in the state, and this new law, AB 1346, aims to impose strict regulations around gas-powered engines and lawn care equipment by July 1, 2022. If the California Air Resources Board (CARB) approves, the sale of these machines will be banned by the start of 2024, forcing vendors to shift to electric or battery-powered equipment. With around 4 billion gallons of gasoline being used in lawnmowers for landscaping each year, it is vital that the state government takes action to limit pollution and promote environmentally-friendly practices.