Electric vs Gas Lawn Mower: True Cost Comparison

Compare the true annual cost of an electric lawn mower versus a gas mower, including purchase price, fuel, maintenance, and operating time.

Your mowers

Electric Mower

Electric Mower Price$400

Gas Mower

Gas Mower Price$300

Mowing usage

Mows per Season30 mows/season

Hours per Mow1.00 hrs/mow

Energy rates

Your state

Electricity Rate$0.19/kWh

Electricity Rate Increase3.0%/yr

At 3.0%/yr, your rate reaches $0.246/kWh by year 10

Gas Price$4.10/gal

Gas Price Increase2.5%/yr

At 2.5%/yr, your gas price reaches $5.12/gal by year 10

Electricity rate from EIA residential averages (Mar 2026). Adjust to match your actual bill.

Annual maintenance

Electric mowers have ~67% lower annual maintenance — no oil changes, spark plugs, or carburetor cleaning.

Electric Mower Annual Maintenance$20/yr

Blade sharpening; no oil changes or air filter replacements

Gas Mower Annual Maintenance$75/yr

Oil changes, air filter, spark plug, fuel stabilizer

Season fuel cost

Electric Mower

per season · 2 kWh/hr

Gas Mower

$61

per season · 0.5 gal/hr

Annual operating costs

Electric mower annual cost

$24

Fuel $4 + maintenance $20

Gas mower annual cost

$137

Fuel $61 + maintenance $75

Electric saves $55/yr (73%) on maintenance alone.

Total cost of ownership

5-year total

Gas Mower$998

Electric Mower$522

Electric Mower saves $476

10-year total

Gas Mower$1,739

Electric Mower$649

Electric Mower saves $1,090

Electric Mower saves you $1,090 over 10 years.

Break-even

Electric Mower breaks even in 1 year.

Factors included:Mower purchase priceAnnual fuel/electricity costAnnual maintenance

Year-by-year cumulative cost

Will it pay off if prices change?

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Gas ↓ / Elec →	$0.11/kWh	$0.14/kWh	$0.18/kWh	$0.21/kWh	$0.24/kWh	$0.27/kWh	$0.30/kWh
$2.46/gal	2	2	2	2	2	2	2
$3.14/gal	2	2	2	2	2	2	2
$3.83/gal	1	1	1	1	1	1	1
$4.51/gal	1	1	1	1	1	1	1
$5.19/gal	1	1	1	1	1	1	1
$5.88/gal	1	1	1	1	1	1	1
$6.56/gal	1	1	1	1	1	1	1

Each cell answers one question: if electricity cost this much and gas cost that much, how many years until the electric option pays for itself? Your actual prices are highlighted. Green means it pays off. Red means it doesn't — at those prices.

Results are estimates only. Energy prices, rebates, and appliance costs vary by region and change over time. Rebate and tax credit amounts (including IRA incentives) should be verified with your utility provider or the IRS. This tool is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as financial or purchasing advice.

Methodology & assumptions

Gas mower fuel consumption is modeled at 0.5 gallons per hour — the DOE average for a walk-behind gas mower at normal load. Electric mower consumption is modeled at 2.0 kWh per hour, representative of a 40V–60V battery platform fully loaded on dense residential grass. Riding mowers consume significantly more in both categories.

Annual maintenance defaults reflect real-world averages: electric mowers require only blade sharpening and occasional cleaning (~$50/yr); gas mowers add oil changes, air filters, spark plugs, and fuel stabilizer (~$150/yr). Electric mowers have roughly 67% lower annual maintenance costs than comparable gas models (based on the $50/$150 defaults above).

The 5-year and 10-year total cost of ownership (TCO) sums purchase price plus cumulative fuel and maintenance costs with no inflation adjustment. Battery replacement for electric mowers (typically $60–$150 every 5–7 years) is not separately modeled but is partly captured in the maintenance slider.

Frequently asked questions

Are electric lawn mowers powerful enough for thick grass?

Modern battery-powered mowers (40V–120V) match the torque of gas mowers for residential lawns under 1 acre. High-voltage models from EGO, Greenworks, and Husqvarna handle thick, wet grass comparably to gas. For lawns over 1 acre or commercial applications, propane and gas still have a run-time advantage.

How long does the battery last on an electric mower?

Most 40V–60V battery mowers cover 30–60 minutes of mowing per charge, enough for lawns up to about 1/2 acre. Dual-battery systems extend range to 60–90 minutes. Charging time is typically 30–90 minutes with a standard charger. Many users mow half the lawn, charge during lunch, and finish after.

How much quieter is an electric mower?

Electric mowers operate at 75–80 dB, versus 95–100 dB for gas. That's a perceived loudness reduction of about 75%. You can mow early morning or late evening without disturbing neighbors. No hearing protection is required for most battery mowers.

What maintenance does an electric mower need?

Electric mowers require blade sharpening once or twice per season ($10–$20 DIY or $20–$40 at a shop) and occasional cleaning. There are no oil changes, spark plugs, air filters, carburetors, or fuel stabilizers to deal with. Battery replacement every 5–7 years costs $60–$150 for most brands.

Do electric mowers work in wet grass?

You can mow slightly damp grass with a battery mower, though both electric and gas mowers cut better in dry conditions. Avoid mowing in heavy rain or standing water. Most modern battery mowers carry an IPX4 weather-resistance rating and can handle light moisture without damage.

Can an electric mower handle hills?

Yes, though heavy battery mowers can be harder to push on steep slopes than lightweight gas mowers. Self-propelled electric models (like EGO Select Cut) handle hills comparably to gas self-propelled mowers. For slopes over 20°, a rear-wheel drive self-propelled model on either fuel type is recommended.