Chris is away for a well-earned break this week, so Deputy Editor Steve Gibbs here.
I have been out on a couple of visits in recent weeks to take a look at the latest generation of battery powered garden machinery. Some for predominately consumer use and some for professional application.
And I have to say I've been mightily impressed. These are a long way away from from the early examples of battery-powered outdoor powered machinery, many of which would have been described as not fit for purpose.
No, these latest battery machines are quiet, smooth, powerful, reliable and frankly a pleasure to use.
So why aren't they flying out of dealerships at a rate of knots?
The problems which these manufacturers seem to be facing from consumers are old-school, ingrained prejudices against the perceived shortcomings of these types of units. The fear that a machine is going to run out of juice in the middle of a job; that because it is quiet it doesn't have the same power; and maybe most importantly, the fear that they are expensive.
And there of course is a fairly hefty initial outlay for battery machinery. However, as all the manufacturers will point out, users are paying up front for all the fuel for the machine's life, forever. Plus also there will be no servicing costs.
And this is the manufacturers' other problem. Persuading the independent dealers that they should be stocking machines which they are not going to see again for any servicing work. But it is the independent experts who these guys need to sell these machines for them. They are specialist tools which need to be explained and demonstrated by specialist experts.
Attitudes do seem to be changing though. Interestingly I was told that it is the older consumer who is showing a lot of interest in battery power. Not through any sense of 'going green', but moreover for the convenience of using these tools and their light-weight.
It would seem that increasing emissions guidelines and future restrictions on petrol use will surely inevitably lead to an increase in consumer demand and therefore more and more dealers will be stocking them - and doing good trade.
