This week I've been putting a feature together for the next issue of Service Dealer on the current state of the battery powered cordless machinery market - which I have to say, genuinely feels like it has some real momentum behind it currently.

Following Bosch last year saying they were planning to end production of their 'nosier, dirtier' petrol mowers it has felt like the industry has truly come to a watershed moment with battery powered garden machinery.

Since then it has seemed like almost every manufacturer has wanted in on the sector - be it with a family of universally powered battery tools, or on the robotic side. The news today that Honda have moved beyond petrol powered handheld machinery for the first time, is just the latest example.

And they won't be the last manufacturer this year to launch a new battery range. But with sales still far behind that of their petrol equivalents, why does there appear to be such confidence in the sector from manufacturers?

Does the adage that dealers are not keen on stocking the products because they don't see much service work off the back of them, still apply?

Certainly many manufacturers and distributors do not believe so. I have spoken to several players in the field recently who have told me they believe we are on the cusp of a revolution. A revolution driven by both consumer attitudes and government legislation - with factors like emissions, vibrations and noise leading the change.

If there genuinely is the appetite out there for the technology it would seem that dealers really should be getting in on the act. If consumers can't source these products from the specialist sector they will presumably be forced to look elsewhere?

I'm being told that there is a broad appeal for cordless machinery. The older demographic likes how they tend to be light and clean, with less fuss before use. And the younger, first-time mower buyers are going to be turned on by their eco-friendliness and their convenience for a time-poor lifestyle.

And very importantly the technology itself seems to be up to scratch. With the advances in battery production those natural fears which users may have had about perceived lack of power or duration of usage, can be alleviated.

But how are you, the dealers, finding the current situation? Are you sensing that sales are about to rocket? Or is only ever going to be a niche product, forever secondary to petrol?

Please let us know your experiences. You can take our survey this week, or leave a comment under this article. We'll publish a selection of your thoughts in the next issue of Service Dealer.