Differences Between Electric & Gas Lawn Mowers
- An electric lawn mower cord is one difference from gas lawn mowers.Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
The debate over electric-powered motors versus those that run on gasoline has been ongoing for decades. Although this discussion often revolves around the modern car, many of the same pros and cons can be applied to lawn mowers on the market today, where both gas and electric mowers are popular models. - Aside from the sharp, spinning blades that come with any lawn mower, particular safety hazards come with owning either an electric or a gas mower. With electric lawn mowers, the same precautions taken with any other appliance should be applied. For instance, mowing on wet grass raises the risk of electrocution, especially with mowers with extension cords that stretch across the lawn. Gas mowers, on the other hand, do not electrocute, but any machine with oil and a full tank of gasoline is instantly more at risk of combustion.
- Two kinds of pollution fall into this category: air pollution and noise pollution. The typical gas-powered lawnmower provides ample amounts of both. Although less of a problem with smaller mowers, gas-powered engines of any kind inevitably produce exhaust that spews into the air. Electric mowers have no emissions at all. When it comes to noise, both machines are guilty simply due to the spinning of the blade; but the churning motor on a gas-powered lawnmower tends to be louder than that of the average electric one.
- Although all gas-powered lawnmowers are cordless, many electric-powered mowers must be plugged in at all times in order to operate. In this scenario, the gas mowers are clearly more portable; however, the electric, cordless ones are not only just as portable, but have the benefit of no gas tank -- a factor that also decreases the weight. As of 2010, the price of an average gas-powered mower was less expensive than the cordless electric mower.
- Maintenance is perhaps the most lopsided issue when it comes to the two types of mowers. Gas lawn mowers require regular upkeep, even when not in use. Aside from the need to constantly refill the gas tank, other chores include changing the oil, replacing spark plugs and unclogging carburetors. The mower then must be prepared for winter storage, which requires several other cleaning tasks. On the other hand, the electric mower requires none of this type of maintenance. Both types of machines require the same tasks regarding the upkeep of the blades.
