He got his unit in approximately 1990. I am not aware of any electric tillers other than attachments to tractors. If you are working within easy range of an outlet, the corded types are usually cheaper and don't run out of charge. If outlets are not handy, battery-powered models usually have easily exchanged batteries so that freshly charged packs can be used to replace a pack that has become discharged through use. While corded versions won't run out of charge, hedge trimmers seem to have an uncanny inclination to slice their own power cords.
Corded models are available from several manufacturers.
While the truly noisy and annoying gasoline versions of these tools are all too common, the electric versions still seem fairly rare. Shop Vac has a corded version that comprises part of one of their vacuum cleaner units and separates from the collection unit for use. Poulan Outdoor products has a cordless unit called the Weed Eater Vroom. According to promotional material, the Vroom uses an internal 12-volt battery, weighs in at 7.2 pounds and produces air velocities of up to 105 mph. No trouble getting it started, no need to lug around mixed gasoline, dry and clean or change fouled plugs or breathe that foul 2-cycle engine exhaust.