Trends and tactics being seen and implemented by large-scale adapters of battery-powered equipment was a major topic of discussion during last month’s Equip Expo. As our team unpacked newsworthy highlights from product manufacturers, the importance of establishing the infrastructure — particularly for charging systems to support the transition — was clear. Lessiter Media staff at the event and on the exhibit floor were hearing from pros in the battery-powered space that things were slowing down, if only to more effectively move forward and ensure charging equipment is fully supported.
Large-scale adapters do seem to be pivoting to make way for progress, taking the necessary steps that will help them more effectively make the move in the right direction in the right way.
For one battery-powered equipment provider, as with many in this space, Greenworks Commercial is focused on working with those in the midst of the transition — large landscapers, municipalities and schools, and expansive property owners.
Feedback from Tony Marchese, Greenworks Commercial Vice President of Sales and Operations, spotlights the ways the Moorseville, NC.-based company, are developing solutions to address adoption hurdles head-on. The company manufactures battery-powered handheld tolls and mowers. After Equip Expo 2024, our team checked in with him and other battery-operated equipment manufacturers on what they’re seeing in the industry as these ongoing transitions continue to move forward. "The challenges of infrastructure, battery life, and power are indeed among the top concerns professional landscapers face when transitioning from gas-powered to battery-powered equipment,” says Marchese. For Greenworks, he added, tuning into customers, in this instance landscapers, has helped shape the company’s innovative approach. Marchese shared that the company’s new Optimus line, launched earlier this fall, was tested, evaluated, and evolved with the input of more than 200 landscape professionals. According to Marchese, “This new line up of more than 85 heavy-duty lawn and garden equipment delivers the highest level of power available on the market to tackle the most demanding jobs. For example, it boasts of up to 70HP equivalent in the 9-series, outperforming traditional gas mowers. It has a wide range of powerful 82-volt tools like hedge trimmers, string trimmers, edgers, blowers, and self-propelled, all-terrain mowers (ATMs).”
“When it comes to battery-powered infrastructure, charging solutions are the key,” says Marchese, noting that this includes both the battery itself and charging options. It’s vital to consider what is going to power the equipment, so evaluating batteries is critical. The Equip Expo showcased a wide range of options, and Greenworks Commercial was one, premiering its new Optimus CORE batteries, offering up to a 30% reduction in weight per battery, higher power, a 50% faster charge rate, and longer longevity with up to 2,000 cycles.
Marchese was enthused about the company’s new Optimus EnergyCube, which he described as an onboard charging solution that keeps all equipment running throughout the day. He says it can simultaneously charge Optimus Zero-Turn mowers and handheld batteries either at the shop or on a trailer. A landscaper can leave all their equipment in the trailer at night or in between stops, and when connected to power, a convenient level 2 charging plug on the exterior trailer will ensure all the equipment on the inside is fully charged and ready to go at any time.
Additional new charging solutions include the ChargeLink In-Shop Charger, which can power up to 60 batteries of any amp-hour from a single outlet overnight, as well as industry-first Portable Charging Caddies that he explained offer ease of organization and transportation. He added that the new Greenworks Optimus EnergyCube combined with the ChargeLink In-Shop Charger can reduce the number of handheld batteries needed to manage a fleet by up to 50%.
What’s the outlook? Marchese was asked how he thought the ongoing evolution will impact Greenworks and the industry overall. He noted regional trends, emphasizing that state and local regulations will lead to growth in some areas faster than others. He cited various studies of landscape professionals showing a growing inclination to purchase battery-powered outdoor equipment in the coming years. Interestingly, he spoke to industry research and trends showing that the larger the company, the larger their investment into battery-powered options. With this intel in mind, he says, “Looking ahead, we expect that over 50% of our sales will come from California next year, underscoring the growing momentum in battery-powered adoption."
