Gas vs. Electric Lawn Mower: Which One Truly Lasts Longer?
My Briggs & Stratton gas mower lasted over 18 years before the body gave out, yet the engine still runs. Now I’m testing an Ego electric mower to see if battery power can beat gas strength. From noise and cost to durability and cutting power, the real challenge is which one will stand the test of time.
Fred Artisan
9/29/20254 min read
Gas vs. Electric Lawn Mower: Can an Ego Electric Mower Match My 18-Year Briggs & Stratton?
Most people replace a lawn mower every few years.
I didn't.
My Briggs & Stratton gas mower stayed in service for nearly 18 years. Through hot summers, heavy rain, thick grass, and countless weekends, it continued doing exactly what it was built to do.
The surprising part?
The engine still runs.
What finally failed was the mower body itself. The deck developed cracks, parts of the frame weakened, and after years of repairs and patchwork fixes, the mower simply reached the point where continuing to use it no longer made sense.
That experience made me ask a question many homeowners are asking today:
Can a modern electric lawn mower last as long as a traditional gas mower?
To find out, I recently purchased an Ego electric mower and began a completely different lawn care experience.
My Briggs & Stratton Story
When I bought my Briggs & Stratton mower years ago, I wasn't thinking about how long it would last.
I just wanted a dependable machine that could cut grass.
Over time, that mower became part of my routine.
Every mowing season included:
Checking the oil
Cleaning the air filter
Sharpening the blade
Adding fuel stabilizer before storage
Replacing spark plugs when necessary
Nothing complicated.
Just basic maintenance.
Those small habits helped keep the engine running year after year.
If there is one lesson I learned, it's that many gas mower engines can outlive the rest of the machine when properly maintained.
Why Gas Mowers Have Such a Strong Reputation
Gas lawn mowers have earned their reputation through decades of real-world use.
Many homeowners still rely on gas-powered equipment because it offers:
Strong cutting power
Unlimited runtime with fuel
Easy refueling
Long-term durability
Widely available replacement parts
When grass gets thick, wet, or overgrown, gas mowers rarely hesitate.
That's one reason many homeowners continue to choose them.
The downside is maintenance.
Gas mowers require attention throughout their lives.
Oil changes, filters, spark plugs, carburetor issues, fuel storage, and occasional repairs are simply part of ownership.
For some people that's no problem.
For others it's a reason to look at electric alternatives.
The First Thing I Noticed About the Ego Electric Mower
Silence.
Well, not complete silence, but close enough that it felt strange.
For nearly two decades I had become accustomed to the sound of a gas engine.
Pull the cord.
Hear the engine start.
Smell the gasoline.
Listen to the familiar roar.
The Ego mower changed all of that.
I pressed a button and started mowing.
No gas.
No oil.
No pull cord.
No warm-up period.
Just push and go.
That alone makes electric mowers appealing for many homeowners.
Where Electric Mowers Have the Advantage
Modern electric mowers offer several benefits:
Push-button starting
Lower maintenance
Reduced operating costs
Quieter operation
No gasoline storage
No oil changes
No exhaust fumes
For homeowners who simply want to cut the grass and move on with their day, electric mowers remove many of the tasks associated with gas equipment.
The convenience is hard to ignore.
The Biggest Question: Will the Battery Last?
This is where the long-term debate begins.
My Briggs & Stratton engine survived nearly 18 years.
Can an electric mower do the same?
The answer depends largely on the battery.
Most lithium-ion batteries gradually lose capacity over time.
Factors that affect battery life include:
Charging habits
Storage temperature
Frequency of use
Climate conditions
Overall maintenance
Eventually, every battery reaches the point where replacement becomes necessary.
That doesn't mean the mower itself has failed.
It simply means the battery becomes part of the ownership cost.
For me, this is the most interesting part of the experiment.
I already know what a gas mower can do over 18 years.
Now I'm curious whether modern battery technology can come close.
Which Costs More Over Time?
The answer depends on how long you keep your equipment.
Gas Mower Expenses
Gasoline
Oil
Spark plugs
Air filters
Fuel stabilizer
Carburetor maintenance
Occasional repairs
Electric Mower Expenses
Electricity
Battery replacement
Occasional blade maintenance
Gas mowers often cost less initially.
Electric mowers often cost less to maintain.
The long-term winner depends on how many years of service each machine provides.
Cutting Performance: Can Electric Keep Up?
Years ago, electric mowers struggled with thick grass.
Today's premium electric mowers are much better.
The Ego mower automatically increases power when it encounters heavier cutting conditions.
For typical residential lawns, the performance difference is much smaller than many people expect.
Gas still has an advantage in extreme conditions.
However, electric mowers have closed the gap significantly.
Which Lawn Mower Should You Buy?
Choose a gas mower if:
You have a large property
You regularly cut heavy grass
You don't mind maintenance
You want proven long-term durability
Choose an electric mower if:
You want convenience
You prefer quieter operation
You want less maintenance
You dislike dealing with gasoline and oil
Neither choice is wrong.
The best mower depends on your property, budget, and personal preferences.
My Verdict
After nearly 18 years with a Briggs & Stratton mower, I know exactly what a well-maintained gas mower is capable of.
The engine survived.
The body did not.
Now the responsibility belongs to my new Ego electric mower.
Can it deliver 18 years of reliable service?
I honestly don't know.
What I do know is that electric mowers have improved dramatically, and the convenience they offer is impressive.
This isn't just a comparison between gas and electric.
For me, it's the beginning of a real-world long-term test.
If my Ego mower is still cutting grass a decade from now, I'll consider that a success.
If it's still running after 18 years, it may earn a place beside one of the most dependable Briggs & Stratton mowers I've ever owned.
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