It's no surprise cities and counties around the country are trying to convince residents to switch out their gas-powered lawn mowers to electric models.
As communities try to improve air quality and reduce emissions, communities are actively trying to incentivize residents to make the change.
KWCH 12 reports that the city of Wichita, Kan., earlier this month approved a measure to offer $50 rebates to people who switch to electric when it comes to mower their yards. The rebates are being paid for by health grants. According to the report, the Lawn Care Equipment Rebate pilot program is funded by $10,000 from a grant from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment for an air quality program, as well as the city of Wichita’s required local match.
The program's goal is to reduce ozone emissions in the city. Through air quality modeling, the public works department determined that between 25% to 36% of local emissions come from non-road mobile sources. Lawnmowers and other lawn equipment are estimated to account for 50%-90% of non-road mobile sources.
Other communities are trying out rebates, too, such as Bowie, Md., and various towns in Texas.
