Battery-Electric vs Gas Lawn Mowers

At Neighbourhood Heroes, we’re committed to delivering top-tier lawn care while making responsible choices for our community and environment. With our 100% Electric Initiative, every lawn mowing visit uses advanced battery-powered electric mowers. Here’s how electric mowers outshine traditional gas-powered models on every front—and why we believe the electric choice is better for you and your neighbourhood.

Direct Emissions 

Electric mowers

Produce zero emissions during operation. That means no carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, or smog-forming pollutants are released into your yard or the air.

Gas mowers

Emit significant amounts of carbon dioxide (CO₂), hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). An hour of mowing with a typical gas mower can pollute as much as driving a car 300 miles. 

Overall Carbon Footprint 

Electric mowers

Have a higher manufacturing footprint at first (from producing batteries), but over their lifespan, they’re much cleaner. On average, they create up to 83% less overall carbon emissions compared to gas.

Gas mowers

Continuously pump out emissions every time they run, leading to a much higher total impact on the climate.

Energy Efficiency

Electric mowers

Our electric mowers use modern brushless motors that are highly efficient—converting over 90% of electricity into mowing power. 

Gas mowers

Are much less efficient, using only about 25–30% of their fuel for mowing. The rest is wasted as heat, vibration, and noise.

Noise Pollution

Electric mowers

Are much quieter, generally operating at 65–75 decibels—about as loud as a regular conversation or a quiet suburban street. This means less disruption for your neighbourhood.

Gas mowers

Are very loud, usually operating at 85–95+ decibels, often requiring ear protection and disturbing anyone nearby.

Maintenance and Spills

Electric mowers

need little maintenance. There’s no oil to change, no gasoline to handle, and no messy spills to worry about.

Gas mowers

demand regular oil changes and filling up with fuel, leading to more hassle and the real risk of gasoline spills. Millions of litres of gasoline are spilled each year from small engines, harming soil and waterways.

Manufacturing Impact 

Electric mowers

Have a higher initial environmental cost due to the batteries and high-tech components.

Gas mowers

have a smaller manufacturing impact but continue to create pollution throughout their life because of their fuel source. 

Life Cycle Payback 

Electric mowers

Usually “pay back” their manufacturing footprint within about 18 months of use. After that, every mow further reduces your carbon footprint.

Gas mowers

never break even—their environmental cost increases with every use.

Why Electric Mowers Are Better for Our Neighbourhoods

Cleaner Air

Gas mowers release not just greenhouse gases, but can also release cancer-causing compounds like benzene right where you live, work, and play. Switching to electric means fresher, healthier air for your family, pets, and neighbours.

Better for the Planet

With up to 83% lower lifetime emissions and no ongoing fuel burning, electric mowers help slow climate change and protect Alberta’s environment for future generations.

Quiet, Reliable, Neighbour-Friendly 

Enjoy peaceful weekends and early mornings; electric mowers are so much quieter, most people can talk or relax in the yard while mowing is happening next door. 

Less Waste, Lower Risk

Operating electric mowers means no oil changes and no gasoline spills, drastically reducing local pollution and mess. Modern battery recycling programs can recover up to 95% of lithium-ion components, further reducing waste.

Leading The Way

As more cities and provinces move to ban or restrict gas-powered lawn equipment due to public health and environmental concerns, battery electric mowers are quickly becoming the standard. Their widespread support and growing infrastructure for maintenance and recycling means you’re making a future-proof choice.

Electric Over Gas

We adopted battery electric mowers not just for their outstanding performance and reliability, but because it’s the right thing to do for the neighbourhoods we serve. Every time you choose Neighbourhood Heroes, you support a cleaner, quieter, and more sustainable neighbourhood for everyone.

Want to experience the benefits of electric mowing for yourself? Reach out to our friendly team to book your next service. Together, we’re keeping Alberta greener, cleaner, and more neighbourly—one lawn at a time.