Los Angeles landscaper Christine Ro attended a training session run by the American Green Zone Alliance, an organization that supports the transition to electric landscaping equipment.

Cities across the United States have begun restricting petrol-powered leaf blowers because of noise complaints, and the electric alternatives reduce carbon emissions, vibration and exposure to pollutants while allowing operation during quieter hours.

The shift is creating demand for new manufacturers; Whisper Aero, an aerospace start‑up known for electric propulsion systems for aircraft, introduced a handheld electric leaf blower in 2023 after research into its fan technology.

According to Andrew Terajewicz, Whisper Aero’s director of air management, the device is cleaner, quieter and more efficient than existing air‑moving technologies.

The blower’s battery provides up to 50 minutes of operation at full power and the unit retails at the higher end of electric leaf blowers, which are generally more expensive than petrol models.

Dan Mabe, founder of the AGZA and a former landscaper, said the blower is ultra quiet yet powerful, though the high price and limited runtime remain challenges.

Whisper Aero plans to develop a backpack model for professional landscapers, and the company has increased manufacturing capacity to meet pre‑order demand.

Stihl, the German power‑tool maker, aims for battery‑powered products to represent 35 % of sales in 2026 and 80 % by 2035, and opened a dedicated battery and tool plant in Romania in 2025.

Stihl’s new battery system uses tabless lithium cells, which deliver 60 % more peak power than standard cells, enabling faster charging and lighter packs.

Professional landscapers report that petrol blowers remain more powerful and offer longer runtimes; Carlos Camarena, a supervisor at a California landscaping firm, noted that electric tools are used where local ordinances prohibit petrol equipment, but his crew typically operates six batteries that require 45 minutes each to charge fully.

The upfront investment to convert a business to electric equipment is estimated at about $10,000, and subsidies may not fully offset the cost, especially for sole‑proprietor operators with limited storage space.

Industry observers say the success of electric landscaping tools will depend on continued improvements in battery life, cost reductions, and compliance with local noise regulations.