NYC Parks Switches to Electric-Powered Small Machines

The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation is transitioning from fossil-fuel-powered small equipment to electric-powered equipment. The department put 186 new electric-powered units into service in June, according to Paris Apollon, the Parks Department’s chief of operations for citywide services.

The new equipment includes lawn movers, blowers, trimmers, and chain saws. NYC Parks has also purchased batteries and chargers. An additional 60 units are on order and expected to be delivered this month, which will bring the fleet’s total small equipment inventory to close to 250 units.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency states that gasoline-powered lawn and garden equipment produces high levels of localized emissions that can be harmful to workers and members of the public.

Apollon added that the benefits of electric-powered equipment include savings from operational efficiencies and lower maintenance costs; no air, noise, or land/water pollution; and no need to transport fuel, issues with fuel mixtures, nor accidental spills.

Originally posted on Government Fleet