For decades, the rumble of gas-powered engines has been the neighborhood soundtrack of landscaping and outdoor maintenance. But a quiet revolution is underway.
In 2021, California passed the country’s first green lawn care law (Assembly Bill No. 1346 ), which barred the sale of new gas-powered landscaping equipment using small off-road engines (SORE), like lawnmowers, pressure washers, and chainsaws.
The bill arrived not long after the California Air Resources Board (CARB), essentially the state’s clean air agency, revealed that SORE equipment in California produces more emissions than passenger cars and that one hour of operating a gas-powered leaf blower produces the same amount of pollution as a car driving 1,100 miles.
These and other findings led to the development of AB 1346, which allows existing gas-powered equipment to be used until it no longer works, but any new equipment must be battery-powered, and that’s good news to Greenworks .
CEO and Founder Yin Chen of Greenworks Founded by CEO Yin Chen long before Tesla’s rise, Greenworks has been working to build battery-powered outdoor power equipment (OPE) since 2003. Chen recalls meeting with one of their first clients over 17 years ago and placing their battery (a modified bike battery) on the table. He told them that the humble battery would someday power everything: the trimmers, the chainsaws, and the leaf blowers.
“This is going to be the centerpiece of all the applications,” he recalls saying. “This is going to be the future.”
By 2010, Greenworks was selling a battery-powered lawn mower at Lowe’s and Home Depot, but today, they offer everything from riding lawn mowers to snow removal tools and pressure washers – all powered by batteries that can last for eight hours on a full charge and make their gas-powered cousins seem downright old-fashioned.
The company’s latest achievement, the Optimus line of OPE, which Chen proudly declares as “the best battery OPE for landscapers,” represents a turning point for the industry. “Not only are we as powerful as gas – we’re actually more powerful,” Chen explains. “One battery charge lasts longer than a gas tank, and we’ve solved the recharging challenges that previously held the industry back.”
With California cities, school districts, and universities among the first to comply with AB 1346, it makes sense that Greenworks is building in the state, starting with a vast Commercial Customer SupportCenter in Valencia. With new products comes the need for training and the Valencia support center will train the many landscapers already skilled in traditional engines to service battery-powered equipment. Their support center provides end-to-end support ensuring businesses can effortlessly incorporate Greenworks’ top-tier, high-performance, eco-friendly equipment into daily operations. The company also opened a warehouse and service center in Reno, Nevada, in March 2024 and a service facility in Ontario, Canada, in 2023.
“The California market is going to be the main battleground from gas to battery,” he said. “We want to make the transition painless for landscapers. We want them to change because they want to, not because they’re being pushed.”
On that note, Greenworks has shifted the narrative. Instead of being forced into a change by legislation, landscapers are now embracing battery power because it is in their best interest. Eco-mindedness aside, Chen says their products improve workers’ day-to-day well-being. One landscaper shared that his wife no longer complained about him smelling of gas after a day’s work—a significant quality-of-life improvement that underscores the tangible benefits of switching to battery power. As they engage with cleaner technology, landscape professionals can focus more on their tasks without the negative side effects of inhaling toxic fumes.
During his Valencia site visit, Chen spoke with numerous users to gauge their satisfaction with Greenworks’ electric equipment lineup. When asked whether they would consider returning to gas-powered tools after testing the electric alternatives, the response was the same. “No, we are never going back.” Chen was delighted.
The company’s experience in California demonstrates that environmental regulations when paired with market-ready solutions, can accelerate positive industry transformation. As other states watch California’s progress, Greenworks’ approach could become the model for how the industry can successfully navigate the transition to sustainable equipment while improving performance and profitability.
There’s more work to be done in the meantime. The brand is developing new products, including a line of Optimus utility vehicles priced between $20,000 and $30,000, scheduled for release in Q2-Q3 2025.
“This will be exciting…You have to be the best in your category worldwide to qualify for that Optimus logo.” Future innovations will include some machines that can be retrofitted for hybrid functions. “This industry is due for a major transformation,” Chen says. “It’s an exciting time.”
What started as a consumer-focused venture has evolved into a comprehensive solution for teams of commercial landscapers. As California leads the nation in environmental legislation, Greenworks’ success in the state could create a blueprint for national adoption. It’s not the first time California has set the example for the rest of the country, and the transition to battery-powered OPE could be faster than expected.
Greenworks, which is the most awarded and recognized brand in outdoor power equipment, sells its products at Amazon, Walmart, Lowe’s, Home Depot, Tractor Supply, and other retailers. Their seemingly overnight success has been 20 years of hard work, innovation, and perseverance. By consistently pushing the boundaries of battery technology, the company has not only transformed the OPE industry but has contributed to a cleaner, quieter, and more sustainable future.
Commercial teams can find a Greenworks dealer here .
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