Gas Power Gets Schooled: How Battery Power Led To Productivity Gains And Noise Reductions

Hands-On Testing Uncovers the Cordless Winner

When new state regulations on gas-powered outdoor power equipment (OPE) began to take shape, the landscape maintenance team at Jurupa Unified School District (JUSD) didn’t wait to react—they led the change. “Our Director is environmentally conscious and wanted to stay ahead of gas regulations,” said Jorge Munoz, Supervisor of Maintenance Operations. “We were happy with the initial switch from some gas products, and now the JUSD maintenance team prefers EGO Commercial.”

The decision wasn’t made overnight. JUSD’s crew evaluated multiple legacy commercial gas brands and attended an industry expo to get hands-on experience with the latest battery-powered technology. “I demoed all the battery equipment products that were out there. EGO Commercial just stood out,” Munoz said. Ten demos later, the choice was clear: “My crews prefer EGO Commercial products over any other battery or gas-powered manufacturer.”

“I demoed all the battery equipment products that were out there. EGO Commercial just stood out.”

Battery Power Defeats Downtime

One of the biggest selling points was the PGX™ Charging System. “The batteries are versatile and allow crews to change tasks easily. We can move from a trimmer to a blower without missing a beat,” Munoz said. With the ability to charge up to 70 batteries overnight, or even on the go, downtime has become a thing of the past. “Batteries mean no downtime,” he added. “We just pop one in and keep going.”

“The batteries are versatile and allow crews to change tasks easily. We can move from a trimmer to a blower without missing a beat.”

Surprising Gains in Power and Productivity

The transition has even surprised some seasoned operators. “As the crews use EGO Commercial, they find that EGO Commercial is stronger than gas. And they want to get rid of their gas,” Munoz said. “The blower, for example, is more powerful—and we don’t have to waste time pumping or filling up jugs of gas.”

The shift from gas has had a noticeable impact on productivity. “EGO Commercial has really made our job easier. We just put the battery in and go,” he said. “My crew’s productivity time has improved. They don’t have to wait and try to start a unit or worry about a neighbor complaining that the noise is too loud. They just get in and get the job done before students start to arrive.”

A WIN FOR THE CREWS—AND THE COMMUNITY

For JUSD, the benefits have extended far beyond the crew’s efficiency. Noise reduction has been a big win for the school community. “Everybody on the site, even the community, has noticed that the noise levels have dropped,” Munoz said. “There used to be complaints from classrooms when we were working nearby, but we don’t get those anymore.”

Munoz noted that the environmental benefits have also made an impression. “The community appreciates us switching from gas to using batteries. We aren’t polluting the world anymore,” he said.

A New Era in Grounds Maintenance

By adopting EGO Commercial, JUSD has achieved a new standard of productivity while also delivering sustainability and community benefits. The PGX™ Charging System’s scalability, combined with the power and performance of battery equipment, has proven that going cordless doesn’t mean compromising on power or efficiency.

For Munoz, the transformation has been clear: “We just pop in the battery and go. No downtime, no noise complaints, and no wasted fuel stops. EGO Commercial has really made our job easier.”