Electrification at the City of Yarra
This is a report on progress made by the City of Yarra in the electrification of hand-held, petrol- powered tools used by teams based at the Council depot.
Summary information is provided on the electrification of non-road tools and road-based equipment.
Most hand tools have been electrified
Most of the hand tools based at the City of Yarra depot have been electrified including blowers, hedge trimmers (including an extension trimmer), chain saws (including an extension saw), brush cutters, mower, post-hole auger and backpack spray units.
The changeover to electric hand tools
The investigation found that the category of hand-held tools is ‘ripe’ for electrification.
- Electrification of Council hand-tools is feasible.Today electric tools with petrol-equivalent capability are widely available from reputable manufacturers. Comprehensive and experienced after-sales service is available.
- Council hand-tools can be replaced ‘overnight’. The City of Yarra has found that a transition period between petrol and electric-powered, hand-tools is not necessary.
- The transition does not require skills training. When the power source is changed, the function and operation of the tool remains the same. Skills needed to use battery tools (recharging for example) are familiar and well understood.
- Staff are enthusiastic about electric tools. Operators who switch to electric tools report that performance is equivalent. They are enthusiastic about the ‘side benefits’ of cleaner, quieter equipment. Staff report changing over their garden tools at home based on their experience at work.
- Today Councils can choose between several reputable manufacturers that offer a range of suitable tools. This makes brand uniformity possible. However it is likely that most Councils will ‘mix and match’ brands as each manufacturer’s toolset includes superior or unique tools.
- No additional electric infrastructure is needed. It is unlikely that any substantial investment will have to be made to the power supply. Some power boards and extension cords may needed to support convenient charging.
Rationale & Benefits
- The change over to electric hand-tools was one of a continuing series of clean energy investments at the City of Yarra
- For depot staff and management the ‘better working conditions’ and the reduction in OHS risks were the most immediate, relevant and meaningful advantages of electrification.
- The operational and risk management advantages alone were sufficient reason to implement immediate electrification of hand-held tools.
- The reduction of neighbourhood noise was noted as a relevant operational benefit
- The benefits of reduced local air pollution were not mentioned
- Other benefits have flowed from electrification including reduce herbicide use, reduced vehicle inventory and (probably) reduced costs through lower ‘fuel’ prices (including from depot-based solar power) and lower maintenance costs.
Barriers to electrification
- There are no technical barriers to electrification. There may be ‘human barriers’. Based on the experience at the City of Yarra, it is likely that in other municipalities, depot and Council staff will not have been exposed to, or have direct experience of, the latest hand-held, electric-powered tools. Other factors such as resistance to change are likely to be obstacles to electrification. City of Yarra staff referred to these as ‘entrenched habits’, ‘traditional decision making’ and ‘what we are used to doing’.
- Both barriers can be addressed by electric tool demonstrations which are available from experienced retailers or representatives of the manufacturers.
Purchasing Toolsets
When purchasing toolsets, it is suggested Councils:
- Operate multi-brand systems choosing the best tools from reputable manufacturers
- Purchase the most suitable tools even if the batteries cannot be used in other similar tools
- Purchase at least 2 batteries and one charger for each tool.
Cost of electrification
The cost of hand-tool electrification is low. The total replacement cost of the 38-tool inventory used by the City of Yarra is estimated at $27,000. Most of this cost (65%) was for the batteries. The average cost per tool supported by two batteries and a charger was $1,700.
A high-value emissions reduction investment
Hand-tool electrification is a high-value emissions reduction investment – significantly cheaper and significantly more effective than purchasing electric cars. Based on data, including from the California Air Resources Board, this report estimates the replacement of 1 two-stroke blower used for 20 hours a week is equivalent to eliminating annual emissions from 150 average-use motor vehicles.
