Eco-Friendly Tools

Let’s talk about the environmental impact of your gas-powered tools, and how you can help lower your carbon footprint!

Are two-stroke engines bad for the environment?

There have been multiple studies done regarding the impact of two-stroke engines, such as the motors in chainsaws, trimmers, mowers, and ATVs.

In one study done by the EPA, it was found that running a 50cc two-stroke engine for 30 minutes, produced the equivalent CO emissions to that produced by driving a Ford Raptor 6,255Km. Another study stated that 25% of all non-road PM2.5 emissions are produced by small two-stroke engines.

Does this type of pollution affect your health? 

So what do all these studies mean? All of these numbers and abbreviations might get a little confusing, so let's break it down. There are many different substances included in the broad terms of “pollution” and “emissions”. Here are a few examples:

CO: Carbon Monoxide

Carbon Monoxide is an odorless gas that is highly toxic when inhaled. Carbon Monoxide poisoning occurs when your body replaces the oxygen in your red blood cells with carbon monoxide.

HC: Hydrocarbons

Hydrocarbons form the basis of fossil fuels and are released into the atmosphere when these fuels are burned. Two-stroke engines do not have good fuel economy which results in high hydrocarbon emissions. Hydrocarbons can be very damaging to both you and the environment. 

PM: Particulate Matter

This is the general term for all solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air. PM2.5 is the category for the smaller of the two types of particles found in air pollution. Particulate matter can cause respiratory issues and is the reason you can see smog pollution in the air. 

What can you do to help? 

A good place to start is switching to electric, battery-powered tools, and equipment. Greenworks electric tools are much safer for both you and the environment, plus you'll never need to compromise on performance! 

Greenworks tools produce zero emissions, and their brushless motors require far less maintenance than a standard two-stroke motor. Brushless motors are also quieter, meaning that you can use most of your Greenworks tools early in the morning or late at night without bothering your neighbours. 

Greenworks batteries are ULC Certified, meaning that they have gone through extensive testing by the Underwriter Laboratories of Canada and are certified to be safe and not explode, even under extreme temperatures and conditions. 

 

Are Greenworks tools more expensive than gas-powered tools?

Greenworks' pricing is fairly competitive with that of high-quality gas tools. However, it is important to remember that when you buy a Greenworks battery you are buying up to ten years worth of "fuel" upfront. So, when you are comparing these tools to gas-powered tools, take the cost of fuel into account. Fuel tends to go bad if left in storage for a long time and will need to be replaced. Whereas a battery will only need a top-up charge, as long as it has been stored properly. 

Another way to save money is to switch all of your tools to battery-powered, rather than just one or two. This is because Greenworks batteries are interchangeable between tools, as long as the voltage is the same. This means that you can buy five tools, but only two batteries, and then swap the batteries between tools and keep one charging while you are working. This can save you thousands of dollars every year, that you would have spent on fuel. 

Check out our website to learn more about our new Zero Turn Mowers!