Gas Powered Lawn Care Equipment Not Affected by Recent Congressional Review Act California Gas-Powered Car Mandate by Rebecca Radtke, LCMP  The initial EV law required that 35% of all new cars sold in the state must be zero-emissions by 2026, 68% by 2030, and completely zero emission by 2035. The House voted on the ruling last month in favor of blocking the electric car mandate — which was accompanied by two rules on cleaner diesel, but this raises the question about landscape equipment and their ban. California faces greater challenges with poor air quality, which in part, contributes to these legislative efforts. According to the California Air Resources Board (CARB), swapping 1,000 gas mowers for electric equipment can be the equivalent to removing 230 cars for a year. According to IQAir, California’s air quality is typically poor, with 90% of residents inhaling unhealthy levels at some point during the year. The state faces high ozone and particulate matter that hits areas like Central Valley and Southern California. In an article published on LandscapeArchitect.com in 2018, the Environmental Protection Agency says that one hour of use of the best-selling commercial leaf blower produces as much pollution as a 2016 Toyota Camry driving 1,100 miles. In 2021, Assembly Bill 1346 directed CARB to begin the pathway to phase out gas-powered small off-road engines beginning in 2024. Equipment with a 2024 model year were allowed. |
