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California to phase out new gas-powered small engines

October 14, 2021

On Saturday, Oct. 9, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 1346. AB 1346 phases out the sale of new gas-powered small off-road engines in California, primarily found in outdoor power equipment.

“Leaf blowers, lawn mowers and other equipment with small gas-powered engines emit staggering levels of air pollution,” said assembly member Marc Berman, co-author of the bill. “These noisy machines are terribly disruptive to communities across California, and the workers who breathe in exhaust from this equipment day in and day out face disproportionate health risks, including asthma, cardiovascular disease and cancer. To ensure an equitable transition to safer, cleaner equipment, we secured $30 million in the state budget to help small businesses purchase zero-emission replacements.”

AB 1346 requires the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to set emissions requirements for small off-road engines to zero by 2024 or whenever CARB determines is feasible. Small off-road engines emit high levels of oxides of nitrogen (NOx), reactive organic gases (ROG), and particulate matter (PM), which adversely affect air quality and human health. By 2031, NOx and ROG emissions from SORE are projected to be twice those from passenger cars in California, according to a news release from Berman’s office.

Industry reaction

Green industry equipment supply companies share reactions following AB 1346’s passing:

  • Joe Turoff, chief marketing officer, Chervon North America, parent company of Ego Power: “The State of California has set a precedent with its dedication to addressing noise and environmental pollution created by machines powered by fossil fuels. The impact of this decision will bring lasting change. At Ego, our mission has been to create innovative battery-powered outdoor power equipment with the power and performance of gas but without the noise, fuss and fumes so that supporting our environment is no longer a compromise but rather a positive leap forward.”
  • Keith Coultrap, Husqvarna’s director of professional products: “States, cities, and towns across the country are working to reduce their impacts on the environment, including efforts related to lawn care and landscape maintenance.  California’s new bill regarding gas-powered lawn equipment, signed into law in recent days, poses both challenges and opportunities for the industry. As a global brand with sustainability in our Swedish roots, Husqvarna offers a wide variety of commercial-grade battery-powered equipment, allowing professionals and homeowners to select a tool that best suits their needs.”
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