By: Justine Bula
Dan Steinmetz owner and operator of Greenline Lawn Care, started with a single electric push mower, mowing lawns and providing lawn care part-time. As demand increased, things quickly grew into a full-time business. The growing business required additional lawn mowers and equipment. Dan decided to invest in electric mowers and demonstrate that not only could it be done but that there were also a great option that made sense financially and environmentally.
Prior to starting Greenline Lawn Care, Dan was in an apprenticeship as an electrician, where he learned more about some of the electrical concepts that helped him during the initial growth of his business and which he employs today when creating or re-designing some of the equipment. Dan quickly noted that you do not need a background in electricity to use electric tools like those you will find at Greenline. In fact, eclectic lawn tools tend to be more straightforward, with fewer parts and maintenance than their gas counterparts.
edThe first zero-turn electric lawn mower, the Ego Lawn Mower, that Dan had was limited in its battery life, only able to cover around 3-4 lawns before needing to charge. As a thoughtful problem solver, Dan saw this challenge as an opportunity to create a system that would work for his business. The first iteration created was a battery bank on the work truck followed by solar panels to charge the bank, along with a plug that could help top off a charge overnight if needed. This design worked for the first couple of years, and as business continued to grow, Dan invested in an electric Ford F-150 Lightning truck to replace the gas work truck, followed by an enclosed trailer where all the equipment could plug in and charge. The truck itself can provide enough power, but future plans for the trailer include adding solar panels to the roof.
Some benefits of electric mowers and lawn care equipment include the lack of noise. Occasionally, Dan has used gas mowers due to maintenance on his equipment or access to some lawns through gates, and the difference is noticeable. Even with ear protection, the noise from gas mowers is higher than that of electric mowers. The noise, vibrations, and emissions from gas mowers compared to electric mowers are notable. Customers, neighbors, and the team all appreciate the reduced noise and emissions.
Despite higher upfront costs for electric lawnmowers, the difference in not buying fuel over the machine's lifetime alone more than makes up for the difference in the upfront cost between gas and electric mowers. As Dan explains it, it is just a matter of numbers. This is essential to a small business owner. Dan has run the numbers and is reassured by the return on investment that electrifying his business has. The bottom line is the equipment needs to do the job, and it needs to do the job well. Dan has found that the equipment meets this standard with the added benefit of being electric. Electric lawn mowers and vehicles are eligible for EV tax credits that c
an help ease the upfront cost burden and make the return on investment even faster.
Improvements in design are being made, and Dan is helping test, troubleshoot, and provide recommendations to ensure that the technology developed is the best it can be. From working with companies to reengineering equipment to meet the needs of our climate, grass, and customers, Dan is helping refine designs and increase the efficiency and function of electric mowers. Ego is working with Dan on prototypes, getting feedback for improvements and modifications needed to ensure that machines meet customers' needs, emphasizing small to medium-sized businesses. Ego is developing a line of commercial mowers with the intention that the machines will be easy to work on and serviceable in the field, further reducing maintenance issues.
In addition to the focus on electric and renewables, Greenline Lawn Care takes being green to the next level by only planting plants that are native to Wisconsin, encouraging customers to mulch leaves and, if not, taking them to Purple Cow Organics for composting, and not spraying pesticides/herbicides on lawns. Lawns can be many things, and Greenline is happy to meet the needs of their clients where they are and help them make their vision a reality. Whether that vision is neat and tidy bluegrass or more diverse freestyle lawns with clovers, creeping charlie, or patches of native prairie plants. Dan describes the business as a "low intervention law service" that provides the help that is needed, whether it is mowing, hand weeding, or removing stray saplings. Dan has been able to highlight the value and importance of native plants and even reducing or limiting the amount of lawn through his business, noting that their own lawn has been planted primarily to native plants. Greenline is happy to help you with your yard care needs, whatever they might be.
What's Next?What's next for Dan and Greenline Lawn Care? Additional improvements to the trailer are planned, such as adding solar to the roof and setting up the trailer with its own electrical panel that can be plugged into the truck for power. On the horizon is an expansion into building and installing pollinator gardens, more native plantings, and helping people expand pollinator-friendly lawns.
Dan and Greenline Lawn Care are great examples of someone who sees potential and leads by example in the lawn care electrification world. They have demonstrated that electric lawn equipment works and comes with a wide range of benefits. Innovative people like Dan are helping to refine the designs and create better products. There are always ways to improve, but prioritizing and being thoughtful about the approach is essential. Dan and Greenline Lawn Care have demonstrated how efficiency and electrification are not only an option but a wise choice.
