A Washington state legislator has introduced a House bill to prohibit new gas-powered outdoor equipment beginning in 2026.

New gas-fueled lawnmowers, chainsaws, rototillers, log splitters, leaf blowers, pressure washers, stump grinders, wood chippers, snow blowers and other equipment with 25-horsepower or less would be banned.

Small-gas engines pollute and contribute to climate change, according to House Bill 1868 filed by Rep. Amy Walen, D-Kirkland. A ban would have other benefits, according to the bill.

“Residents value the quiet of electric equipment, especially with the increasing numbers of people working from home,” the bill reads.

Washington has adopted a ban on new gas- and diesel-powered cars and pickups beginning with 2035 models and plans to ban new gas and diesel heavy-duty trucks beginning with 2036 models.

California led the way in forced electrification of vehicles. If Washington lawmakers ban small-gas engines, they will be following California again.

Over the objection of landscapers and others, the California Air Resources Board banned new gas-powered outdoor equipment beginning next year. Walen’s bill cites California’s move to restrict small-gas engines.

Problems seen with ban

Washington Contract Loggers Association executive director Jerry Bonagofsky said large commercial chainsaws are under 25 horsepower and less-powerful electric chainsaws would be dangerous.

“Electric chainsaws are not going to work for our industry,” Bonagofsky said.

“What you see out there may work for homeowners, possibly some light landscaping, but for commercial operations, it’s not going to be efficient enough or productive enough,” he said.

Walen’s bill would allow federal, state and local governments to use gas-powered equipment to fight fires, clean up oil spills and respond to other emergencies. Others caught violating the ban would be subject to a $10,000 fine and one year in jail.

The legislation also would exempt electric-powered equipment from sales taxes and hand out $5 million a year to local governments to replace gas equipment.

Will Bailey, president of the Washington Association of Landscape Professionals, called the advances in electric-powered equipment “fantastic,” but a ban would be a problem, especially for smaller businesses.

Mid-size electric lawnmowers are more expensive than gas mowers, he said. Businesses might recoup the investment in the long run, but spending the money upfront would be hard for some, he said.

And while electric equipment has advanced, electric leaf blowers are still ineffective in moving wet leaves, Bailey said.

“The technology isn’t completely there, and it’s not cost-competitive for it to work yet,” he said. “A ban would be troubling.”

Walen’s bill would allow the Department of Ecology to delay banning gas-powered equipment if electric options were not feasible. Bailey said he was concerned Ecology would not consider the costs.

“Economic viability is probably the biggest concern here,” he said.

Clark County, Wash., farmer Kevin Dobbins said the ban would cause everyday problems.

A ban on gas-powered equipment might work in small yards, but he doubted the practicality of plugging in field equipment or having enough battery power to work all day.

“I think they set their sights too high,” he said.

Ecology does not separately track greenhouse gases from small gas engines, department spokesman Andrew Wineke said. The Environmental Protection Agency regulates air pollutants from outdoor equipment.

Walen was not available Wednesday for further comment, according to a spokeswoman.