Metro-Vancouver Electrification of Non-Road Engines - Next Steps

By WCTA Staff

In early 2023, Metro Vancouver began considering actions to reduce air emissions from small gasoline and diesel equipment used in landscaping, such as lawn mowers, leaf blowers, hedge trimmers, line trimmers and chainsaws.

By March, an online survey was initiated aimed at collecting feedback to understand key challenges that specific sectors and groups might face in transitioning to zero-emission landscaping equipment.

According to the survey website, that closed July 31, 2023:

"Small gasoline and diesel non-road engines emit harmful air contaminants, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, fine particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, and greenhouse gases. Around 430,000 pieces of landscaping equipment were powered by those engines in Metro Vancouver in 2019. As new technology becomes available, transitioning this equipment to zero-emission electric alternatives can help significantly improve regional air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions."

In an email received late November, Metro Vancouver let us know they have retained Dunsky Energy + Climate Advisors to conduct a study on 'Transition to Zero-Emission for Small Non-Road Engines: Evaluation of Emission Reduction Impact and Preparedness for Electrification'. 

Archita Borah, Senior Policy Analyst, Air Quality and Climate Action Services stated, "The primary focus of this study is the potential to electrify landscaping equipment that would otherwise produce harmful air contaminants and greenhouse gas emissions.  On behalf of Metro Vancouver, Dunsky is seeking to gain a better understanding of the performance capabilities of this equipment and the nuances of the equipments performance and use in the real world."

Along with other stakeholders, the WCTA has been asked to participate in a 1-hour semi-structured interview to solicit feedback, expertise and insights to inform the research study, scheduled for the first two weeks of December.

With well over 300 members in the Metro-Vancouver area and the understanding that other municipalities tend to follow its lead, the WCTA will continue dedicating resources to this issue, participate in the study and report back throughout the process.  If you have concerns, questions or any related comments, please direct them to: WCTA Executive Director, Jerry Rousseau.