Outdoor

Gas vs. battery lawn mower: which costs less to run?

By Nazrul Islam. Updated October 11, 2026.

How much does it cost to charge a lawn mower battery?

A battery’s energy is its voltage times its amp-hours. A 56V, 5Ah pack holds:

56 V × 5 Ah = 280 Wh

Chargers lose some energy as heat. The Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) measured about 93.5% charge/discharge efficiency on a Ryobi 40V mower, so this guide assumes a loss of about 7%, per FSEC’s test. Other chargers and packs may lose more.

At 93.5% efficiency, a full charge draws 280 ÷ 0.935 ≈ 300 Wh from the wall.

Cost per charge = wall Wh ÷ 1,000 × price per kWh

The EIA expects the 2026 U.S. average residential price at about 18.2¢/kWh. Using 18¢ and about 300 Wh:

Even at 30¢, a full charge costs less than a dime.

How much energy does a battery mower use per hour?

In FSEC’s test, a Ryobi 40V mower used 256 Wh to cut 6,700 sq. ft. in 38 minutes. Scaling that single 38-minute test to an hour gives a ballpark figure:

256 Wh × (60 ÷ 38) ≈ 404 Wh per hour of battery energy.

Adding FSEC’s measured charging loss (93.5% efficiency) gives 404 ÷ 0.935 ≈ 432 Wh (0.43 kWh) from the wall per hour. Tall, wet, or thick grass and self-propel drive will push this higher. Treat it as a ballpark, not a spec.

How much gas does a push mower use per hour?

The same FSEC test measured a gas walk-behind mower using 0.2 gallons for the same 6,700 sq. ft. in 38 minutes. Scaled to an hour, as a ballpark:

0.2 gal × (60 ÷ 38) ≈ 0.32 gal per hour

For scale, Honda lists a 0.9 L (0.237 gal) fuel tank on its HRN216 167cc push mowers. At that burn rate, one tank lasts roughly 45 minutes. Actual run time depends on the engine, grass, and blade.

The EIA reported a U.S. average regular gasoline price of $4.354/gal for the week of October 5, 2026.

Gas cost per hour = 0.316 gal × $4.354 ≈ $1.37

Gas vs. battery mower: cost for a full season

Assumptions, clearly labeled (hourly rates are ballpark figures scaled from one 38-minute FSEC test):

• 25 mowings per season, 1 hour each (25 hours)
• Gas mower: 0.316 gal/hour, $4.354/gal
• Battery mower: 404 Wh/hour at the battery, 93.5% charging efficiency (FSEC), 18¢/kWh

The battery mower saves about $32 a season on energy alone in this example. Here is how the battery side changes with your electric rate:

And the gas side with fuel price:

What maintenance does a gas mower need?

Fuel is only part of the gas bill. Typical yearly items include:

• Engine oil changes
• Spark plug replacement
• Air filter cleaning or replacement
• Fuel stabilizer for stored gas
• Blade sharpening (both mower types need this)

Prices vary by brand and store, so check your owner’s manual for intervals and parts. Battery mowers skip the oil, plug, filter, and stabilizer. For end-of-season steps, see how to winterize a lawn mower.

Is battery replacement the hidden cost?

Yes, the battery is the main long-term cost for a cordless mower. FSEC priced one replacement 6Ah pack at $142 and noted that buying one or two packs over a 10-year mower life cuts into the savings. Pack prices vary widely by brand, voltage, and capacity. A single replacement pack can cost several years of the gas mower’s fuel savings, so factor it in when comparing.

Are gas lawn mowers being banned in California?

Not for current owners. CARB’s 2021 rule set zero emission standards for most new small off-road engines starting with model year 2024. Generators and large pressure washers got tighter, non-zero limits in 2024, with zero emission standards in 2028.

CARB says Californians can keep using their existing compliant gas equipment. There is no ban on using older or used models, and older gas models already on store shelves can still be sold.

In the same 2021 announcement, CARB said a commercial backpack leaf blower run for one hour produces the same smog-forming emissions as a car driving 1,100 miles. It said smog-forming emissions from small off-road engines have surpassed those from light-duty passenger cars.

Safety notes

• Never run a gas mower in a closed garage or shed. Exhaust contains carbon monoxide.
• Let the engine cool before refueling, and store gas in an approved container away from ignition sources.
• Charge batteries with the maker’s charger, on a hard, dry surface, away from flammable items.
• Remove the battery or spark plug wire before clearing a clogged deck or touching the blade.

Quick answers

Is a battery lawn mower cheaper to run than gas? Yes. In this example, electricity costs roughly 8 cents an hour versus about $1.37 an hour for gas.

How much does it cost to charge a 56V lawn mower battery? A 56V 5Ah pack holds 280 Wh. At 18¢/kWh with charging losses, a full charge costs about 5 cents.

How much gas does a push mower use in an hour? Scaling one 38-minute FSEC test gives a ballpark of about 0.32 gallons per hour. Your mower may use more or less.

How long does a battery mower last per charge? It depends on pack size and grass. In FSEC’s test, about 256 Wh covered 6,700 sq. ft. in 38 minutes.

Does a battery mower need maintenance? Less than gas. It needs blade sharpening and cleaning, but no oil, spark plug, air filter, or fuel stabilizer.

Can I still buy a gas mower in California? New models from 2024 on must meet zero emission standards, but older stock on shelves and used mowers can still be bought and used.

For lawn care timing, see when to fertilize your lawn.