The Electric Revolution Happening in Your Yard

On March 31, 2016, millions of people from around the world watched Elon Musk unveil the Tesla Model 3. Touted as the first consumer-grade electric car, the Model 3 represents significant advances in battery-powered technology that allows drivers to both recharge their battery faster and go further on a single charge. Though not yet available for purchase, there's little doubt that Tesla's Model 3 is a big step in the what might be dubbed "the battery-powered" revolution. Future companies and engineers will build off its pioneering technology to create even more efficient and sophisticated automobiles. But while much of this excitement has centered on the possibilities of electric cars, this move from gas-powered to battery-powered motors is taking place all around us, and some of the most practical innovations are available right now. * A more peaceful neighborhood Airplane noise, the buzz of traffic or rumble of trains - people try to avoid these kinds of noises when they move into a new neighborhood. But even in the quietest areas, the roar of lawn mowers and leaf blowers can disturb a perfectly peaceful day. Even though maintaining a yard is a way to maintain the neighborhood, the gas-powered engines on lawn mowers, leaf blowers and trimmers are just plain noisy and manage to annoy others. Electric lawn equipment has been around for years, but there has nonetheless persisted a misconception that it lacked the power and reliability of gas engines. But just as advances in battery technology are revolutionizing the automotive world, similar technology is doing the same with outdoor lawn-care equipment. The Tesla of this industry is Husqvarna, a company that developed an entire line of battery-powered chainsaws, trimmers, and hedge trimmers that are much quieter, more efficient and just as powerful as their gas-powered counterparts. Take for example the 136LiL, Husqvarna's go-to battery-powered trimmer for homeowners. A single charge allows for up to an hour of trimming, and it has the power to cut through deeper, tougher grass if it needs to. Its lightweight design, coupled with a low vibration rate, means people can use it longer with less fatigue. Like all these battery-powered tools, the significant difference your neighbors will certainly notice is how quiet it runs. This means you can do your yard work whenever it's convenient for you. * Batteries One of the biggest annoyances smartphone owners have is finding the right chord to charge their phone with. Similarly, it can be confusing to have to keep track of the different kinds of batteries certain devices require. Husqvarna designed its equipment to avoid this common problem. Customers can swap batteries between products, making it easy to go from trimmer to chainsaw without having to own two individual batteries. These innovations in battery-powered equipment will certainly continue, and it will be exciting to see how they contribute to making a greener, quieter world.