The dirty truth about tool usage in the UK’s clean air zones
Clean Air Zones are here to stay and, while we are clear on what this means for vehicles, the impact of councils’ petrol-powered outdoor power equipment usage is often overlooked.
But the more we know, the more we can change – and the cleaner our air will be.
This is why EGO Power+ has conducted research to understand the prevalence of petrol usage by UK local authorities when it comes to outdoor power equipment – tools that, ironically, are used to maintain green spaces. Below, we’ve provided information about recently conducted research, a handy infographic which breaks down the findings, and more information on why all of this matters. Scroll down to find out more.
What was our theory around tool usage in clean air zones?
We know that some petrol-powered tools emit alarming levels of emissions – some so high that, if they were cars, they would be subject to penalties inside clean air zones. Our theory is that harmful petrol-powered tools are still being used within many clean air zones and low emission zones, compromising the impact of clean air initiatives and causing health risks to the general public and operators.
We wanted to understand whether petrol-powered tools are being used by local authorities, or third-party contractors, within these areas.
How was our clean air zones research conducted?
We sent Freedom of Information requests to 40 local authorities operating clean air zones, including 33 London Borough Councils, as well as Bath, Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Portsmouth, and Sheffield.
Each local authority was asked the same questions around how green spaces are maintained, what tools are used, how they are powered, and how frequently they are used.
The results uncovered fascinating insights.
What is the truth about the usage of petrol-powered tools within clean air zones?
- Several councils operating clean air zones continue to use 100% petrol-powered tools to maintain their outdoor spaces
- The slow adoption of battery-powered equipment means 60% of tools are still petrol-powered.
- 20% of local authorities did not know what type of equipment was used inside their clean air zones
- A greater commitment is needed from councils to keep their clean air zones clean.
Local authorities including Birmingham City Council and several London boroughs are still operating 100% petrol-powered tools within their clean air zones – at a time when cars are under increased scrutiny where emissions are concerned.
Petrol-powered tools – such as leaf blowers and hedge trimmers – are known to be just as, if not more, harmful to people and the environment than cars. So, despite the widespread introduction of clean air zones in cities across the UK, the use of high-polluting petrol-powered tools is compromising air quality.
Why does all of this matter?
Local authorities have a duty of care to the public and their employees, which is why many are focused on improving health and safety, including reducing pollution through the introduction of clean air zones.
By uncovering the true impact of petrol-powered tools, we aim to encourage local authorities to consider the potential of transitioning to safer, quieter and cleaner battery-powered equipment.
Modern technology, including that behind EGO tools, is capable of delivering petrol-matching power. And there are other benefits, too: reduced noise and vibration cuts the risk of injury for the workforce; superior performance delivers reliability and results; and rapid payback makes battery-powered equipment a logical investment.
Emissions testing
In 2019, we put the three most widely used petrol-powered tools – a leaf blower, a hedge trimmer and a brush cutter – through their paces with industry-first emissions tests carried out by UTAC.
Each tool was run at maximum speed until stable exhaust temperature and emissions were achieved. The emissions were then measured over a period of 100 seconds – either at maximum load or maximum speed, depending on the tool. The leaf blower performed worst of all, generating the equivalent of 21.73g/km and consuming the greatest volume of fuel, using 0.0006 litres of petrol every second. For comparison, the average consumer vehicle uses just 0.001 litres of fuel.
UTAC took this fuel consumption and translated it into the number of particulates that are released into the atmosphere – which exceeded that which standard vehicle testing equipment is calibrated to record, reaching an astounding 7.63x1011 – or 763,000,000,000 particles per second. For context, that is a greater volume per second than a vehicle is permitted to produce when travelling 1km. So, in practice, the most widely used petrol-powered tool emits proportionally more particulates than the maximum allowed for modern vehicles.
Noise and vibration
In 2022, EGO enlisted Earlesmere, a renowned expert in on-site noise and vibration testing, to compare the performance of our battery-powered gardening equipment against leading petrol-powered tools. The goal? To understand the differences in noise levels (measured in decibels) and vibrational output (measured in m/s²) in real-life usage scenarios.
The test covered five categories of tools, with one petrol-powered and one battery-powered model evaluated in each: rotary mowers, hedge trimmers, line trimmers, leaf blowers, and chainsaws.
Noise
Product | Petrol | Battery |
|---|---|---|
Mower | 80.10 dB(A) | 74.70 dB(A) |
Leaf Blower | 91.80 dB(A) | 84.20 dB(A) |
Hedge Trimmer | 95.10 dB(A) | 84.30 dB(A) |
Strimmer | 103.80 dB(A) | 88.00 dB(A) |
Chainsaw | 102.30 dB (A) | 94.00 dB(A) |
When measuring noise, we follow the 3 Decibel Rule, in which the doubling of an object is equal to a 3dB increase. For example, if one concert is measured at 100dB, then two concerts would be 103dB.
Vibration
Product | Pretol | Battery |
|---|---|---|
Leaf Blower | 1.78 m/s2 | 1.00 m/s2 |
Mower | 3.27 m/s2 | 2.00 m/s2 |
Line Trimmer | 3.07 m/s2 | 1.17 m/s2 |
Make the switch
Change is already underway. Despite high petrol usage within some clean air zones, 75% of councils are now using battery-powered hedge trimmers, leaf blowers, brush cutters and line trimmers. As a leading supplier of battery-powered grounds maintenance equipment, we are actively supporting local authorities and businesses large and small to transition to battery power – sustainably and cost-effectively.
Our technology adds social and environmental value while also driving down the total cost of ownership. For local authorities who face compliance and budgetary challenges, this offers a proven route to a sustainable and safer future.
The latest advice to the government from the Climate Change Committee also recommends the phasing out of petrol and diesel lawnmowers in order to reduce emissions, with modern technology delivering petrol-matching power, without causing harm to the local environment through emissions and noise pollution. Councils who have already adopted battery-powered maintenance equipment have unlocked a future that delivers improved comfort and safety to users, improved conditions for communities, and minimal impact to the environment.