SMUD green mower program saves customers green

With the trade-in of their gas-powered mower, SMUD customers can purchase an emissions-free Neuton EM 5.1 mower for $189. The rechargeable electric mower retails for about $400. (Photo by Neuton)

Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), in cooperation with several area agencies, is encouraging customers to switch to cordless electric mowers with a trade-in program that cuts the price of a new mower by more than half.

Now in its twelfth year, the "Mow Down Air Pollution" program has replaced nearly 10,000 gas-powered mowers with non-polluting, rechargeable electric mowers. With the trade-in of their gasoline-powered mowers, 1,200 Sacramento-area residents purchased a 24-volt Neuton EM 5.1 for $189 at "MowDown 2008." The rechargeable electric mower retails for about $400.

Customers pre-register online or by phone on a scheduled sign-up day. On the day of the trade-in, they bring their old mowers, drained of gas, to the trade-in site where event staff unload and load mowers from customers' cars. "They can drive right through the event," said SMUD Spokesperson Chris Capra.

Working out logistics

Some trial and error was involved in getting the MowDown to run as smoothly as one of the electric mowers. At the first event, mowers were available on a first-come, first-served basis. "People got there very early, and we had cars lined up back to the freeway on-ramp," Capra recalled.

Pre-registration within a limited timeframe solved the problem, he said. "Now, the customers show up between specific hours at the specified trade-in site. We also pick a big site to avoid traffic congestion," Capra added. "We've held the trade-in at McClellan Air Force Base, and this year, it was at Sacramento State University."

SMUD promotes the MowDown with news releases and a media demonstration before pre-registration. The demonstration compares the performance of the quiet, electric mower with a smoky, noisy gas mower. The comparison is compelling enough that even with the small promotion budget, the program keeps growing.

The brand of mower being sold varies, often based on availability, noted Capra. "We've distributed Toros, Lawn Boys and Black & Deckers," he said. "They're all good models, but sometimes, a manufacturer just isn't able to deliver enough mowers."

Neuton, a New England-based company, meets SMUD's demand with an exceptional product. The EM 5.1 can cut two or three California ("small," said Capra) lawns on one 12-hour charge, weighs only 69 lbs. and can handle some tougher growth. "Electric mowers aren't made for heavy landscaping work, but they are great for your average suburban lawn," Capra acknowledged.

Pros and cons

Even without SMUD's generous trade-in plan, electric mowers have many advantages that make them attractive to homeowners. Mowing a 10,000-square-foot lawn 20 times a year with an electric mower uses less than $5 of electricity. The cost for a gas mower is $50 to $75, plus the required oil changes or, in some cases, the two-stroke oil required to be mixed with the gas.

There is no fuel to mix, spill or store for electric mowers—a big selling point in Sacramento, where summer temperatures can top 100 degrees. "You don't want to be storing gasoline in your garage in that kind of heat," said Capra.

On the average, electric mowers are about 50 percent quieter than their gasoline counterparts. Neighbors who like to sleep in on the weekend will appreciate the noise level of usually less than 85 decibels. Another benefit is that electric mowers always start as long as the battery is charged—no need to pull a starter cord.

There are minor drawbacks, including higher initial cost. That is offset somewhat in California, where the catalytic converters the state requires on all new gas mowers can add as much as $179 to the price. Most electric mowers must be pushed, because a self-propelled function would eat up too much battery life. However, the mowers are generally lighter, so they are usually easy to maneuver.

Polluting mowers

For people who are concerned about air-quality, however, the extra cost is a small price to pay for a cleaner, greener mower. Anyone who has ever pushed a gas-powered mower agrees—breathing the fumes is one of the most unpleasant parts of the job. More than unpleasant, one gas mower spews 87 lbs. of carbon dioxide and 54 lbs. of other pollutants into the air every year.

Another disturbing fact, more than 17 million gallons of gas are spilled each year refueling landscaping equipment, according to Safelawns.org. Studies by the organization, which promotes natural lawn care, indicate that gas mowers are major polluters of the environment, up to 30 times worse than automobiles.

Statistics like those are why SMUD has teamed up with other area agencies to replace Sacramento's gas mowers with an earth-friendly alternative. Other MowDown sponsors include the Sacramento Air Quality Management District, Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District, Placer County Air Pollution Control District, El Dorado County Air Quality Management District and the Sacramento County Department of Waste Management and Recycling. The partners all contribute funding to the program, and the waste management department recycles the trade-ins. Some of the agencies also host their own mower trade-in events.

Capra estimates that over the years, the electric mowers distributed through the program have reduced emissions by 99.5 tons—and made a lot of SMUD customers happy in the process. Those are impressive results from simply replacing one common household appliance, or, as SafeLawn.org puts it, getting your grass off gas.

Resources

Sacramento Municipal Utility District

Neuton EM 5.1

Safelawns.org

Sacramento Air Quality Management District

Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District

Placer County Air Pollution Control District

El Dorado County Air Quality Management District

Sacramento County Department of Waste Management and Recycling

People

Chris Capra

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