The move towards sustainable gardening: The background of Challenge 2025
Now, to bring the Challenge 2025 campaign to a close, we have created ‘The Final Report: Battery-power now charging ahead’ which documents the campaign’s activity over the last five years and evaluates its success while leaving the door firmly open for future change.
Challenge 2025 was launched in 2020 to accelerate the gardening and landscaping industry towards a more sustainable future. Working with specialist partners, this thought-provoking campaign aimed to educate and empower outdoor power equipment users to make better choices about the power sources they use with garden machinery. Targeting domestic users, professional landscapers and like-minded individuals who are united to work towards a cleaner, quieter and safer future.
The Challenge
Back in 2020 we already knew the challenge posed by fossil fuels to our planet and wellbeing. And yet, petrol-powered outdoor equipment remained the go-to choice despite the growing evidence that battery-powered was the smarter and cleaner way to go. That's why we launched Challenge 2025.
The Vision?
To educate and empower users to switch from petrol-powered tools and seriously cut their emissions, noise levels and costs.
Did We Succeed?
Is battery-powered now considered a no-brainer?
Join us as we dig into all the key findings and reveal the impact of Challenge 2025.
Join us as we dig into all the key findings and reveal the impact of Challenge 2025.
A Long Way To Go
Fossil fuel-powered machines release many toxic emissions, with carbon monoxide (CO) among the deadliest.
Car makers are doing their part to reduce CO, but according to independent testing commissioned by EGO with UTAC, petrol-powered tools still have a long way to go.
Car makers are doing their part to reduce CO, but according to independent testing commissioned by EGO with UTAC, petrol-powered tools still have a long way to go.
Excessive outside noise isn't just annoying, it can cause major long-term health issues including tinnitus, heart disease and high blood pressure. It's seriously harmful to wildlife, too. So as part of Challenge 2025 we commissioned Earlsmere to test various EGO tools against petrol-powered alternatives. The results spoke volumes.
| Tool | Petrol Model | EGO Battery Model |
|---|---|---|
| Leaf blower | 91.8 dB(A) | 84.2 dB(A) EGO LB7650E |
| Push mower | 80.1 dB(A) | 74.7 dB(A) EGO LM1701E |
| Chainsaw | 102.3 dB(A) | 94.0 dB(A) EGO CS1800E |
| Hedge trimmer | 95.1 dB(A) | 84.3 dB(A) EGO HTX7500 |
| Line trimmer | 103.8 dB(A) | 88.0 dB(A) EGO BCX3800 |
*dB(A) = A-weighted decibels (measurement used to reflect how humans perceive loudness)
By their nature, power tools vibrate. And with excessive vibration comes health issues including Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, RSI and Vibration White Finger. These issues quickly add up to costly care bills and lost productivity, so minimising vibration is essential. The question is, what tools are on the shakiest ground - petrol or battery?
Get the full story egopowerplus.co.uk/clean-air-zones
We're proud that Challenge 2025 is a story that's grown and grown, helping shape and influence the grounds maintenance sector. And with the UK's Climate Change Committee now advocating the phasing out of petrol and diesel-powered lawnmowers, it's clear we're not alone in our aims.
THE FINAL REPORT
Download The Final Report to see how we made battery power the smart choice for sustainable gardening across Europe. Find out how Challenge 2025 has shifted the dial in favour of a cleaner, quieter, safer industry.