Are you still using gas-powered lawn equipment? This might be the year to consider going electric for your lawn mower, string trimmer, leaf blower and more.

Electric lawn equipment has come a long way since the old-school corded plug-in tools you may remember. Today’s electric lawn equipment is powerful, reliable, and efficient. They require little to no maintenance or fuel (fumes be gone!), and are ready at a moment’s notice — with the simple push of a button rather than a frustrating pull cord.

Additionally, they have more user-friendly features, are easier and less expensive to operate, quieter, more environmentally friendly, and emissions-free. Plus, many styles fold and can be stored vertically; great for garage aesthetics!

May is the month regularly scheduled mowing often begins, so if you’ve been on the fence, now’s the time to get off it and go electric! It’s a great way to keep residential lawns neat and healthy.

Here are four reasons why upgrading to electric equipment this year will directly benefit you, your family, and your budget!

Gasoline is expensive

Who wants to pay $4 or more a gallon to mow their lawn this summer? With electric equipment, simply charge your batteries in advance. Batteries within brands are often interchangeable, so you can easily have a few of them charged and ready to go, without interruption.

You can get a huge discount in 2026

Thanks to a law that went into effect in 2024, Coloradans currently receive a 30% point-of-sale discount on electric lawn mowers, leaf blowers, trimmers, and snow blowers at participating retailers statewide. The discount is applied when you make your purchase, no coupon or application required!

The Colorado Public Interest Research Group (CoPIRG) has compiled a list of participating retailers. Reach out to the retailer or store of your choice to confirm their participation before making your visit. Remember, though, this statewide discount only runs through December 31, 2026, so don’t delay!

Electric is healthier for you and your family

Gas-powered lawn equipment has some of the most polluting engines still on the market! Trimmers and leaf blowers use two-stroke motors, burning a combination of oil and gasoline. This produces large amounts of air pollutants that are harmful to breathe, and contribute to the creation of ground-level ozone. While gas-powered lawn mowers usually rely on somewhat cleaner four-stroke motors, they still lack emissions control systems, like catalytic converters.

These gases and fumes get emitted straight into the path of the person operating the equipment, and can easily drift over to where kids are playing nearby.

Ground-level ozone is formed and builds up to unhealthy concentrations throughout the day, when fuel emissions combine in heat and sunlight. So, waiting until after 5 p.m. to use gas-powered equipment is one way to reduce your contribution to ozone. Nobody wants to wait until the evening to mow, however; it’s still way too hot!

In the northern Colorado Front Range, ground-level ozone pollution is a major summer air quality issue, reaching levels harmful to human health on many days during the season. Children are at greatest risk from exposure to ozone, because their lungs are still developing. They are more likely to be active outdoors when ozone levels are high, endangering their lungs and health. Days with higher ground-level ozone levels have been associated with increased emergency room visits for children, who are more likely than adults to have asthma.

When you go electric with your lawn equipment, you and your family can breathe easier. Plus, without the need for containers of gas and oil at home, or handling of the same, everyone will be safer, too.

Electric operates quietly

Electric lawn equipment is much quieter than comparable gas-powered equipment, giving you added freedom of choice in when to mow your lawn.(Perhaps your neighbors, who may have disrupted your sleep in the past, would benefit from receiving this article encouraging them to go electric, too?)

Going electric also means you can complete your yard work without needing as intense of hearing protection. Imagine being able to hear and enjoy your favorite music or podcast while you work …

The takeaway

Father’s Day is right around the corner! Whether you’re shopping for yourself, or looking for a gift, purchasing new electric lawn equipment is a great option in 2026 to save time and money, and protect your and your family’s health.

Learn more at SimpleStepsBetterAir.org and MowDownPollution.org.

Simple Steps. Better Air. is a program of the Regional Air Quality Council.