Story at a glance:
- An American-owned and operated company is leading electric-powered landscape equipment innovation.
- Urban landscaping pivots toward zero-emission and disturbance-reduction technology and methodology.
- Financial incentives facilitate and amplify sustainability changeovers in 2023.
Innovative electrification technology and practices are the core of Mean Green Mowers—a Generac Power Systems company based in Ohio. Mean Green’s fully electric, commercial-grade line of mowing products enables landscape professionals to easily switch to sustainable solutions.
Most recently Mean Green unveiled an industry-leading electric stand-on mower designed to outclass other compact mowers—the Fury, which excels in urban environments.
“Our Fury is the first-ever compact 32-inch stand-on mower that’s electric in the marketplace,” says Joe Ferris, product manager for Generac Power Systems. “A lot of major manufacturers out there are looking into what we’ve done to establish this market.”
How to Choose the Right Equipment
Fury. Photo courtesy of Mean Green Products
Of course, landscaping in rural areas requires different mowing needs than urban environments. Landscape professionals should consider how fast they want to get the job done before choosing their next equipment. Time constraints in urban landscapes are usually caused by the navigation of busy city streets, access to green space, and transporting commercial-size landscaping equipment.
The Fury is ideal for urban landscaping. Electric-powered and commercial-grade, it has a cutting width of 32 or 36 inches. Operators can access gated areas and narrow spaces with ease—unlike traditional stand-on and ride-on mowers that are often too wide and bulky. It also comes with an interactive touch screen display, high/low blade speed control, blade warning light system, USB Port, and more.
The Case for Electrification
Compelling data makes a strong case for the electrification of mowers. Sales of internal combustion engine-powered vehicles are declining, while battery-powered motors are becoming more accessible than ever. Bipartisanship legislation in the US has also resulted in clean energy policies, making products like these more relevant than ever.
The Net Zero World Initiative and the Inflation Reduction Act are examples of momentum carrying over into clean energy and decarbonization efforts in 2023.
By methodically collaborating with stakeholders and advocates, government entities and social sectors equip the global marketplace with electrification incentives, decarbonized commodities, and green enterprise opportunities.
Mowing goes beyond the aesthetics of landscaping, Ferris says, as landscaping practices also impact ecosystems and the built environment. “Grass consumes the bad stuff and converts it into nutrients to grow,” he says. “It also enhances property values.”
Solving Air Pollution and Noise Disturbance
Modifying mowing technology to align with pollution reduction initiatives improves living conditions, too. Fury is designed to combat the noise disturbances so familiar to people living in bustling cities. Electric mowers mitigate the unpleasant operation of landscaping products while curbing air pollution.
Trees and grass also provide an essential buffer between extreme heat and safe, healthy living conditions. “Urban centers are areas where pollution is worse,” Ferris says. “It’s all the more important for every engine burning fuel in those markets to transition to electric.”
Landscaping Productivity
Battery-powered operation also makes landscaping projects easier—as well as more enjoyable. Onsite charging for Mean Green mowers eliminates traditional refueling methods, and you can quickly recharge the Fury overnight or on the same day.
Ferris says Mean Green’s mowers’ lithium cell batteries are powerful. “The Mean Green products are designed to be used every day and run all day to ensure that anybody who’s working can work all day no differently than they would if using a gas mower.”
He added that run time ranges from six to eight hours, depending on battery size and type of mower. Charging devices are sold separately and vary in functionality.
Electric Savings
Long-term savings add up, and Mean Green estimates its Fury can save upwards of $5,500 annually. Overall electric mower operating savings generate $12.21 in savings per hour.
“Because of the low price of electricity, roughly 15 cents a kilowatt hour on average across the US, it is a lot less than the price of gasoline,” Ferris says. “There’s potentially a good amount of savings if you buy electric.”
Tax Incentives and Perks
Federal and state incentives, association accreditations, and member perks also appeal to consumers in the green market. Today there are three federal incentives as well as a litany of state-level incentives accessible to electric mower consumers.
California is at the forefront—providing eight applicable financial incentives. Vermont offers three. Colorado, Michigan, New Mexico, and Colorado also give consumers financial incentives applicable to electric mower purchases. British Columbia offers financial incentive, too.
The National Association of Landscape Professionals, American Green Zone Alliance, and Outdoor Power Equipment Institute all support and partner with Mean Green. Conferences and discounts are just a couple of additional advantages consumers can expect in the new electric-powered outdoor equipment market.
More Innovations
Vanquish. Photo courtesy of Mean Green Products
Mean Green’s turf care products give users intuitive features like interactive touch screen controls, zero-turn technology, an impulse drive system, a blade performance monitor, and rear mulching deck.
An alternative to the Fury is the larger stand-on mower, the Vanquish. Its cutting width is 52 or 60 inches, with a speed of 11.5 miles per hour compared to the Fury’s nine.
Besides standing while mowing, sitting down delivers a more comfortable, subtle experience. On average ride-on mowers are larger.
Partner dealerships also offer hands-on, educational tutorials and free demonstrations. Test it out and see if you like it before you commit. Demonstrations cover learning how to interface with the touch screen, how to remove and connect accessories, adjust blade settings, operate the mower, and more.
