Most lawn and garden supply stores still carry them, and Consumers Union tests of these models have shown they are lighter and easier to push than the ones your grandparents may have used. While batteries or cords limit their range to about one-third of an acre, their overall performance has improved in recent years. And all offer advantages of easy starting, no exhaust from the mower, fewer emissions overall, and less maintenance. The Makita has the fastest recharge time. But if the size of your lawn makes an electric mower impractical, there are still ways you can cut the environmental cost of your gas-powered mower.
Proper maintenance helps minimize pollutant emissions and maximize fuel efficiency.
Replace old spark plugs to make for easier starting and cleaner running. When storing the mower in the off-season, drain the gas and add manufacturers' suggested stabilizers to prevent deposits that can clog fuel lines. For electric mowers, keep the blade sharp, the deck clean, and the cell charged. Completely draining the battery shortens its useful life. The quantities of pesticides applied per acre to suburban lawns often exceed those applied to farm fields.