Electrification was all the buzz at this year’s Equip Exposition, as many manufacturers showcased their battery-powered equipment.
While in past years, handheld power equipment and smaller walk-behind mowers stole the show, this year manufacturers upped their game with larger commercial stand-on and ride-on electric units.
During an interview with Green Industry Pros in August ahead of the show, Kris Kiser, CEO and president of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, predicted just that.
“The big manufacturers have done a lot of research. They’re looking at adaptability,” Kiser said. “The key is how to address that need. In California, you’re seeing a lot of change to battery product, and (at the show), we’re going to see a lot of big pieces of equipment that are designed to run on batteries with significant commercial runtimes. There will be a lot of big changes in that space.”
Many manufacturers cited increasing regulations (such as the California ruling that will require most new small off-road engines be zero emission by 2024), their own sustainability initiatives and end customers' increasing desire to cut down on noise and pollution for the big push toward battery equipment.
And big changes there were. Below are just a few examples of the large commercial battery-powered units.
Nikki Lawson took on the Ryobi Tools USA mower test track and obviously had a blast!Green Industry Pros Staff
Michael Kunz of Ego shows off the company's Z6 ZTR mower.Green Industry Pros Staff
Green Industry Pros Editor Sarah Webb tries her hand at Greenworks Commercial's OptimusZ battery-powered mower at Churchill Downs at day before Equip Expo.Green Industry Pros Staff
Dan Stibral, product specialist at Bobcat Co., shows off Bobcat's upcoming electric mower, the ZT6000e.Green Industry Pros Staff
Exmark leverages the HyperCell Power System to power the Vertex V-Series mowers. Designed specifically for commercial mower applications, the HyperCell batteries are designed to run cooler to provide more runtime and longer service life.Green Industry Pros Staff
John Deere has pledged to bring electric mowers to its fleet by 2026 as part of its sustainability initiatives.Green Industry Pros Staff
