Is AB-1346 The Beginning To The End Of The GARDEN TRACTOR?

[GT48DXLS]

My Wife brought something to my attention this morning that was more bad news specific to the "Hobby" most of us share. I did some searching to find out how bad it was and became "Stunned" at the far reaching potential impact that one US State (California) can have on the Nation as a whole, I'm unsure how it might impact our friends up north (Canada) at this time, if any, and those outside of North America may not have any impact from this at all.

California's New Law, AB-1346, signed into law 09OCT2021 that bans ALL residential and commercial gas powered yard equipment by 01JAN2024, That's 786 days or 2 years by my calculation starting with today. A ban on all small engines 25hp and under with these temporary exemptions for now, on-road motor vehicles, off-road motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, boats, snowmobiles, model airplanes, or cars. The exempt vehicles are mandated to have zero emission mandates by CARB, by 2035 at the latest.

Examples of what is banned,

Lawn Mowers, Lawn and Garden Tractors, Snow Blowers, Leaf Blowers, Rototillers, Portable Water Pumps, Fence Post Augers, Chain Saws, String Trimmers, Generators (by 2028), Golf Carts, and specialty Vehicles, to name a few. Zero emission is defined as electric battery powered or plug-in, not Natural Gas or Propane.

This forum is about Lawn and Garden Tractors and the unique role they play in our lives. Though California residents are losing some valuable freedoms here, for those in other States that think they are in the clear, you may need to reconsider how this law may impact you by which State you live in. This law mandates CARB (California Air Resources Board) to regulate the ban of all small engine yard equipment (25hp and under by 01JAN 2024 as the first of many new mandates to come). CARB is stricter than the US EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and is allowed to act outside of the EPA and so far, there are 15 States that have adopted CARB as there standard with 3 more pending adoption.

The current US States that have adopted CARB are as follows,

1) California
2) New York
3) Massachusetts
4) Vermont
5) Maine
6) Pennsylvania
7) Connecticut
8) Rhode Island
9) Washington
10) Oregon
11) New Jersey
12) Maryland
13) Delaware
14) Colorado
15) Virginia

The three current pending States to adopt CARB are as follows,

1) Minnesota
2) Nevada
3) New Mexico

For California, I'm sorry, it's over for now, but for those in the other States, maybe something can still be done? I don't know.

I can't find one piece of equipment that can take over the job of the Garden Tractor as an electric option for in the cold and blowing snow as an example of what's being lost, at least in the residential market. For those thinking AG such as a SCUT to get around these laws, maybe? But residential Zoning may prohibit as a Code Violation the use of AG equipment in a Residential zone, but either way, it looks like you have two years if you can get supply, and to be "Grandfathered" with a new Garden Tractor and or snow blower or? Before CARB ends the supply and choice for you.

I have left the actual law in PDF for all of you plus links.

Link to the law,

The Law, AB-1346 as of 09OCT2021, to go into effect no later than 01JAN2024,
Bill Text - AB-1346 Air pollution: small off-road engines.

Links to the developing story,

The LA Times, 09OCT2021,
California moves toward ban on gas lawn mowers and leaf blowers

The Wall Street Journal, 12OCT2021,
California moves toward ban on gas lawn mowers and leaf blowers

The Washington Post, 12OCT2021,
https://www.washingtonpost.com/clim...12/california-newsom-law-equipment-pollution/

FOX News Channel, 18OCT2021,
California: Gas-powered lawn equipment tops long list of things banned by Newsom

Car and Driver, 19OCT2021
California Enacts Ban on Gas-Powered Lawn Mowers, Leaf Blowers

CNET, 22OCT2021,
https://www.cnet.com/home/yard-and-...-lawn-mowers-what-to-know-about-the-new-rule/

Link to the EPA and CARB explanation on Wiki,

Wikipedia, Clean Air Act, CARB, description,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_vehicle_emission_standards

Links to the participation CARB States,

Autoweek, 19MAR2019,
What are CARB states, ZEV states and 'smile' states? Autoweek explains

Maryland Department of the environment, (Current)
States Adopting California's Clean Cars Standards

Bloomberg Law, 26MAR2021,
States Adopt California Car Rules Amid National Standards Debate

CarsDirect, 22SEP2021,
https://www.carsdirect.com/deals-articles/what-are-carb-emission-states

-GT

 

[shooterdon]

Look for the prices on older machines going up and more people getting older equipment repaired instead of buying new.

The people of CA have had years to vote for change but are happy with their government. Not easy to feel any sympathy for them. Make stupid choices, get stupid results.

I am 71. Have a new ZT that will last for as long as I want to cut grass. All my important gas tools are like new and have not had a lot of use. I started converting to battery operated for light duty jobs so the gasers will last even longer.

We have to save the children....

 

[cdaigle430]

Its simple, bring back the horses! Oh I forgot, they fart....... Ok, how about we all go back to the 1800s? Oh I forgot-they used coal.....Oh man I give up.

 

[GT48DXLS]

Look for the prices on older machines going up and more people getting older equipment repaired instead of buying new.

The people of CA have had years to vote for change but are happy with their government. Not easy to feel any sympathy for them. Make stupid choices, get stupid results.

I am 71. Have a new ZT that will last for as long as I want to cut grass. All my important gas tools are like new and have not had a lot of use. I started converting to battery operated for light duty jobs so the gasers will last even longer.

We have to save the children....

Its simple, bring back the horses! Oh I forgot, they fart....... Ok, how about we all go back to the 1800s? Oh I forgot-they used coal.....Oh man I give up.

Thank you both for a good laugh,

I'm thankful more and more to live in Florida.

 

[grsthegreat]

thats why i dont live in california anymore....moved in 1996. dont even visit there anymore. I want to see Calif authorities tell someone that they cant use their generator because calif edison issued rolling blackouts. dont see that ending well.

 

[LouNY]

And the idiots in power in NY have introduced the same legislation for this state.
Tar and feather time.

 

[PuffyC]

What the bill says is that state regulators must, by mid 2022, create regulations that prohibit the sale of new gas-powered equipment that has 25hp or less off-road engines by Jan. 1, 2024, or once the California Air Resources Board says such a law is feasible, whichever date comes later. That’s really no different than them saying “you know what, whenever electric equipment is as cheap and effective as gas powered stuff, we should just go ahead and ban that gas powered stuff”. That‘s a reality that’s coming to a future near you either way.

Granted it’s California and when you combine ignorance and crazy anything is possible, but that’s a gigantic loophole that means it could happen in 2024, or 2054, or never. It’s actually pretty brilliant from a political standpoint if you think about. It was written in such a way that the governor can take all the credit if it works out, but then not be responsible at all if it never happens, or it does happen and it ruins the economy and everyones life.

 

[MossRoad]

...
California's New Law, AB-1346, signed into law 09OCT2021 that bans ALL residential and commercial gas powered yard equipment by 01JAN2024, ...

Is that statement accurate? It makes it sound like you'll have to stop using your gas powered equipment by that date. I don't think that's the case. As I understand it, the new law bans the sale of NEW gas powered yard equipment. You can keep using your currently owned gas powered lawn equipment. I didn't see a date for that to end.

 

[PuffyC]

Is that statement accurate? It makes it sound like you'll have to stop using your gas powered equipment by that date. I don't think that's the case. As I understand it, the new law bans the sale of NEW gas powered yard equipment. You can keep using your currently owned gas powered lawn equipment. I didn't see a date for that to end.

When and if anything does get banned, and nothing has been decided yet, you’re free to use existing equipment as long as you want.

 

[airbiscuit]

The market will adapt. Wait until we get version 3.0 of electric tractors.

 

[grsthegreat]

I just saw a cordless snow blower at Home Depot….$800.

I thought, how can this work. My gas powered one has trouble with damp snow. Went home and read reviews. Basically it does ok with dry powder…but can’t do crap with moist or wet snow. Lasts like 15 min in damp snow, battery needs 3 hours to recharge.

how often do you move dry snow….

ya, that’s worth it

 

[LouNY]

Yep quite the future cost more do less

 

[shooterdon]

I am for battery powered stuff when it works. But it is not zero emission in most cases. Power still needs to be generated.

 

[ericm979]

Is that statement accurate? It makes it sound like you'll have to stop using your gas powered equipment by that date. I don't think that's the case. As I understand it, the new law bans the sale of NEW gas powered yard equipment. You can keep using your currently owned gas powered lawn equipment. I didn't see a date for that to end.

The ban, if and when it's enacted, would be on sales of products using gas engines produced after the ban. That part is per the law, so CARB can't change it. The law does call for CARB to enact those bans on or after certain dates, as CARB sees fit. CARB is supposed to study the industries and come back with the actual rules in the middle of next year.

According to communication from an aide to one of the legislators who pushed this, CARB won't be banning saws over 45cc as there are no viable battery saws in that size class. Also whole home generators won't be restricted (which is still dumb, a lot of folks up here in long term power outage land use smaller generators, in part because the county permitting process is insane). It's still CARB, who in the past has been totally fine with greatly restricting small user groups with little clout. I fear rural people who need equipment like chainsaws, brush cutters, generators, log splitters, etc. due to days long power outages and the need to do fire clearing on their properties will get the shaft. It'll be a boon to equipment dealers and saw shops just over the state line.

OTOH I'm looking forward to quiet battery-powered large chainsaws that don't cost twice what the same size gas saw costs and storage batteries that don't cost too much more than a generator and will run an all electric home for days. They will come some day, even if it's not the initial date in the legislation.

As for garden tractors, Cub Cadet's been making some electric models for a few years. I have no idea how good they are but they appear to be reasonably priced. I would not have a problem going with an electric, but I need to run electricity to the barn first.

 

[Moxie 15]

We are at a time when something needs to be done. Is the law perfect? No. Will it cause problems for some? Yes. Will it do what the drafters want it to? Eventually.

I think that this is much like the emission laws of the 1970's. They caused a lot of trouble for several years, but I doubt if any of you would say that it was a horrible law as cars have better emissions, fuel mileage, and overall performance today than before the law was enacted.
I like the idea, but not the law. I think it is needed to force the issue. Which is needed unfortunately

 

[LouNY]

We are at a time when something needs to be done. Is the law perfect? No. Will it cause problems for some? Yes. Will it do what the drafters want it to? Eventually.

I think that this is much like the emission laws of the 1970's. They caused a lot of trouble for several years, but I doubt if any of you would say that it was a horrible law as cars have better emissions, fuel mileage, and overall performance today than before the law was enacted.
I like the idea, but not the law. I think it is needed to force the issue. Which is needed unfortunately

What is your states motto?
How about choice

 

[JasperFrank]

Interesting that the Opost says Oregon has adopted CARB. Oregon has in no way adopted CARB regs that I'm aware of.

 

[Moxie 15]

What is your states motto?
How about choice

I am fully aware of my state's motto and how it is often misconstrued
I am also aware that crude oi production peaked around the turn of the century and demand has continued to increase
About choice
The law does not take your choice away, it simply changes the choice presented to you. I do not like the law but I understand the need to force the issue. The law says it can be delayed if the tech is not available.

The people of California have elected people that see disaster looming. It seems like they always see disaster looming, sometimes they are right sometimes they are wrong. The thing is, the law is a state law and if you are not in California you have nothing to say that matters. If it comes to your state and you think it is bad law then speak out as loudly as you can.

 

[LouNY]

That is pure dee bull, crude oil production was never been close to peaking at the turn of the century.

 

[etpm]

I was born and raised in California, lived there until 1980, then when I was 24 moved to Washington State.
My grandparents lived in Santa Monica, CA, which is close to Beverly Hills. My family would visit them on a regular basis. I can remember sitting at a stop light and not being able to see the next light that was only 1 block away. The air pollution was terrible.
I grew up in the Bay Area, in Cupertino, and in the summer it was so unusual to to be able to see the foothills that people would remark about being able to see the hills when they were visible.
Then CA started demanding that cars pollute less. American car makers were so resistant to the new pollution reducing laws that the cars they made to comply were only made for California. And the methods they used were half-assed. The Japanese car makers didn't go this route. Their methods to reduce emissions were not as nearly complex and didn't have the same negative effect on gas mileage.
All kinds of folks moaned and groaned about the new laws but after the air got clean nobody complained. Eventually the car makers wised up and stopped making cars just for California. If left up to private industry the changes would have taken at least a decade longer.
The same kind of thing happened with the gas mileage laws passed in CA. Same moaning and complaining. Now we have cars that get much better gas mileage all over the nation.
California's new law about banning small engines has such a large loophole it almost looks like it is simply ssymbolic It is of course not, but implementation will not occur for many years. What I think it will do is give extra impetus to existing companies and entrepreneurs to develop electric motors and batteries that will be the equivalent in weight, power, and "refueling" to what we are using today.
A good example of improvements in electronics and energy deliverability comes from computers.
In every computer that plugs into the wall is a power supply called an "Inverter". What an inverter does, basically, is convert DC electricity into AC electricity. AC voltages can be transformed from one voltage by using a transformer, DC cannot be changed this way. The AC frequency from the wall, the mains, is 60 hertz in North America. Transformer size is partly based on the frequency of the electricity going through it, the higher the frequency, the smaller the transformer. So the computer that is plugged into the wall uses a power supply that turns low frequency AC first into DC. Then the DC is turned into high frequency AC. This high AC voltage AC is then transformed into low voltage AC using tiny transformers, then turned into the DC that your computer runs on. The tiny transformers use much less copper so the power supply is lighter and cheaper to build. Another advantage is that the inverter is more efficient so it costs less to run and doesn't need the same cooling that older technology power supplies would need.
I know, this is getting long, but here's the point. Inverters are complex and it took a long time for the technology to mature. But now there are inverter power supplies everywhere. The best generators on the market today are the inverter ones, they have the best voltage and frequency control, the engine RPM affecting neither. Every electric car, battery operated tools. Plasma cutters, welders, etc. My old transformer type Miller welder has a 300 amp output and it weighs about 600 pounds. My new Lincoln 200 amp welder weighs about 60 pounds. And does way more. Because of the inverter power supply inside. My 300 amp Miller wire feed welder only weighs about 200 pounds, and that weight includes the wire feed motor and associated mechanisms.
Another technology developed for computers and improved upon by companies and entrepreneurs is the DC brushless motor. Though these motors and the drive electronics existed before hard and floppy drives in computers they really started to be radically improved upon once they started to become so ubiquitous since the drives were in every computer. Now these brushless motors and drives are in every drone. All sorts of power tools use them. All sorts of modern CNC machine tools use them. They are used in some electric cars. I have a tool that has a 2 horsepower brushless DC motor in it that measures only 3 1/4 inches long and 1 1/2 inches in diameter. 2 horsepower! These motors are used not just because they are so efficient and so powerful for their size. They are also very controllable. Not just the RPM, but also the rotation direction and they can be stopped where ever you want rotation wise. It is easy to have the motor shaft spin so many times, exactly, and then stop. And stop at the exact amount of rotation you want, so the shaft can be positioned rotation wise where ever desired. This can also be accomplished with other motors but with modern brushless DC motors and their drives it is much easier and cheaper. And this exact positioning is used in all sorts of stuff.
I know, this post got really long. My whole point though is I see all sorts of people having knee jerk reactions and not taking the time to really think about stuff. It looks to me like this law is really designed to give some folks a push to design better products. And a ready made market to sell them in.
Eric