New Metro Vancouver regulations eyed to curb pollution from gas-powered equipment

Most people hate leaf blowers because they always seem to get fired up when you are trying to have a quiet read or conduct a Zoom meeting when you are working from home.

But they are more than just annoying.

The Issue: These devices – and other gas-powered equipment – are also big polluters, according to a new report from the Metro Vancouver regional government.

“Small gas-powered equipment used in landscaping and light industrial applications generates about half the amount of health-harming air contaminants as all light-duty vehicles regionally,” says the report, which was compiled after multiple Metro Vancouver cities asked the regional government to explore how to reduce emissions from this source.

Possible solutions: In response, Metro Vancouver staff members are looking at developing an emission regulation proposal coupled with supportive measures that will be presented to the regional government board. The report says the regulations would involve a phased-in approach to help professionals make the transition, but highlighted difficulties with enforcing compliance due to the “transient” nature of the use of the older equipment.

The Barriers: The proposal will be aimed at how to make a transition to electric equipment, which was “generally viewed as safer and easier to maintain,” said the report, but fraught with difficulties due to repair complexity and a lack of charging infrastructure. The report details how charging options would have to be increased, including pilot battery-charging stations.

People want change: Professionals who use this equipment are motivated to make a transition to electric, said the report, based on customers who are concerned about the environment. There are also regulations like a City of Vancouver motion in 2022 to phase out the gas-powered equipment.

“Professional users expressed mixed opinions on the efficiency of emission-free alternatives, and a general lack of awareness about available equipment options was seen as a barrier,” the report said after spending 2024 and part of 2025 consulting with users of such equipment.

“Participants also raised the need to improve recycling infrastructure for both old small gasoline-powered equipment and batteries.”

Who is in charge: Metro Vancouver is responsible under the Environmental Management Act for the regulation of air contaminants in the region and for managing air quality. Its Clean Air Plan includes a strategy for cutting harmful emissions from non-road equipment.

The scale of the problem: There are 400,000 to 600,000 pieces of small gas-powered equipment under 19 kW (25 horsepower) used in landscaping and light industrial applications in the region, said the report.

Some of the equipment still uses emission-intensive, two-stroke engines. Emissions of concern include carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, fine particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds, “all of which can harm human health,” said the report.

“This is especially a concern for vulnerable groups including children, pregnant people, seniors, and people with existing health conditions. The most common types are lawn mowers, hedge and line trimmers, leaf blowers, chain saws, and pressure washers.”

Solutions are getting easier to find: One issue with professionals over the years has been the performance of electric equipment versus gas-powered devices. The report, however, says the gap has closed in performance.

“Battery-powered tools that match the performance of their gas-powered counterparts are becoming increasingly available, as manufacturers respond to both consumer demand and evolving requirements for emission-free technology,” said the report.

A technology review conducted for Metro Vancouver in 2024 found that battery-powered alternatives are more established for some categories of equipment.

The findings were:

• Line trimmers, hedge trimmers, and small lawn mowers have similar performance and cost as gas-powered counterparts for personal and professional use.
• Leaf blowers and chainsaws are available for personal use but still require further development for professional needs.
• Electric ride-on mowers and utility vehicles are becoming more available, although costs remain relatively high.
• Specialized tools, such as pressure washers, log splitters, shredders, and augers, are the least transition ready.

The report outlined how a regulatory proposal would work.

“The regulatory proposal will seek to phase out the use of small gas-powered equipment over several years. The phase-out will start with categories where battery and gas-powered equipment are comparable, for instance, line and hedge trimmers. Other categories will be scheduled for a later phase-out, based on technology reviews and input from equipment users. Exemptions could apply to farming operations, emergency work, and seasonal work that requires higher performance. A regional emission regulation needs to align with existing policies and approaches in member jurisdictions. Addressing non-compliance is a key consideration, as it can be challenging to do for dispersed, transient activities such as the use of small equipment.”