Is there anything more quintessentially Australian than the sound of a lawnmower on a warm Summer’s day? The engine whir reminds us of family BBQs, swinging on a Hills Hoist, and sinking back a cold one. But that familiar sound also means trips to the servo, buying two-stroke oil, cleaning and sharpening, and changing the air filter.
The tide of electrification has hit the gardening equipment department. Bunnings now has a full aisle dedicated to electric alternatives from lawnmowers to hedge trimmers, brush cutters to blowers. Whether it’s time to upgrade or curiosity has you perusing, we’ll take a look at whether the investment in electric gardening equipment is worth it.
Point of difference: Comparing petrol and electric gardening equipment
Most people switch for one of three reasons: less hassle, less noise, and fewer fumes. Petrol still wins for raw grunt and endless runtime. Battery wins for convenience, cleaner storage, and easy starting.
Here’s the practical comparison that matters in a normal Aussie backyard. Note that we have compared petrol and electric lawnmowers below, but the same applies to every garden power tool with electric alternatives.
Starting and day-to-day ease
Electric mowers start with a button and go. Petrol mowers can demand priming, pulling, and occasional colourful language. If you mow often, that convenience adds up fast.
Noise and neighbour friendliness
Battery mowers generally run quieter than petrol options. That matters if you mow early, live on a small block, or just like staying on speaking terms with the neighbours.
Maintenance and ongoing fuss
Petrol mowers need ongoing care, like filters, plugs, fuel, oil mixing for two-strokes, and off-season fuel management. Battery mowers skip most of that, because they have fewer moving parts. You still sharpen blades and keep the deck clean, but the routine feels lighter.
Running costs
With petrol, you pay every mow. With battery, you mostly pay upfront, then charge at home. If you already own batteries and chargers in a tool platform, the upgrade can be cheaper than you think.
Power and performance
For small to medium lawns, modern battery mowers do the job well. For thick kikuyu, long wet growth, or big blocks, petrol can still be the path of least resistance. Some brands also say battery will not replace petrol for every heavy duty use case, at least not yet.
What you will actually pay in Australia
At Bunnings, cordless mower kits can sit around the mid hundreds, and climb higher for self propelled, wider decks, or premium brands. Petrol mowers also span a wide range, from budget to “this will outlive me” territory.
The hidden cost is the ecosystem. If you buy into a battery platform, you can run a trimmer, blower, hedger, and chainsaw off the same batteries. That can make the numbers stack up, especially if your shed currently holds three half-working petrol tools.
Apples for apples, the prices can be quite even. A petrol 18-inch Victa will set you back about $409 to $509. A battery-powered 18-inch Victa kit with 2 batteries is about $415.
You will need to factor in whether you require additional batteries. That’s the kicker, as batteries can cost a few hundred dollars on their own.
The electrification bonus: One battery, many tools
Battery platforms are the quiet achievers here. If you already own compatible batteries, “skin only” tools can be great value. If you do not, starter kits cost more, but they set you up for the rest of your garden gear.
A simple approach works best: pick one platform you can stick with. Then add tools as your petrol gear retires.
Emissions and air quality: The bit we do not smell until we do
Petrol mowers emit exhaust at ground level, right where you stand. Australian research1 has measured emissions from in-use lawn mowers, with attention on pollutants like hydrocarbons from small engines.
Electric mowers shift emissions to the electricity source instead of the backyard. Several life cycle studies have compared petrol and electric mowers, and generally find petrol models have higher emissions during use, with battery manufacturing impacts sitting on the other side of the ledger.
If your home runs on solar, your mower can too. That is about as neat as it gets.
Robot lawnmowers: Are they worth it?
Many of us enjoy the set-and-forget ease of robovacs, but robot lawnmowers are the next “big thing”. They operate almost exactly the same as your Roomba, but do they actually do the job?
The short answer is yes – but they have specific use cases.
If you have a small backyard with minimal obstacles, then it might be the perfect fit. They mow often enough that the grass never grows long enough to be an issue for it. You might find that your edges are lacking, but the trade-off for the convenience may be worth it.
When upgrading makes sense
Upgrading usually makes sense if you tick a few of these boxes:
- Your lawn is small to medium, and you mow regularly.
- You want less maintenance, less storage hassle, and easier starts.
- You already own batteries in a tool platform.
- You dislike fumes, noise, or keeping fuel around the house.
When petrol still earns its keep
You might stick with petrol, or delay the switch, if:
- You mow a large block, or you need a long runtime without swapping batteries.
- Your lawn grows thick and fast, and you often mow it long or wet.
- You need maximum cutting power for tough conditions, every time.
A simple decision checklist
If you want a quick call, use this:
- Under 300 square metres and mowed often: Battery will likely feel like an upgrade.
- Already on a battery platform: Battery almost always wins on convenience and value.
- Big block, thick grass, infrequent mowing: Petrol may stay the safer bet.
Battery-powered gardening tools have earned their place
For most suburban Aussie yards, a modern battery mower is a genuine quality of life upgrade. You ditch fuel runs, reduce maintenance, and keep the peace with the neighbours. Petrol still has a place for bigger, tougher jobs, but for the average weekend mow, battery gear has well and truly arrived.
Whether you’re just starting your electrification journey or ready to completely say goodbye to gas, Energy Matters is here to help. Request FREE quotes from trusted, local installers who will provide you with tailored quotes for solar, batteries, EV chargers, and so much more. Follow the link below to get started!
