Mountain Brook, Alabama – The City of Mountain Brook, the American Green Zone Alliance (AGZA), and Green Landscaping are collaborating to test commercial-grade battery-electric tools from the Greenworks Commercial Optimus handheld and small mower platform. This testing will continue over an extended period.
The field study aims to assess the workload capacity and economic feasibility of electric landscaping operations in the region. It is also part of AGZA’s AFTC (Approved Field Testing and Certification) program, which independently evaluates battery-electric equipment under some of the most challenging workload conditions in the Southeast.
This phase of testing builds on the momentum of AGZA’s successful AFTC evaluation and certification of the Greenworks Optimus lineup of large riding and stand-on mowers.
AGZA conducted a classroom session on battery electric operations with Greenworks product engineer Troy Efird.The AGZA visit to Mountain Brook was impactful. During the visit, we conducted a training session with Greenworks representatives, providing education to the Department of Public Works, Parks and Recreation, and Green Landscaping on the use of Greenworks handheld tools, self-propelled mowers, and the EnergyCube charging system. The functionality of the TOWA Power Distribution Manager was also covered.
Clay Ragsdale, from the city’s sustainability group, attended the session to learn about recent advances in battery-electric technology. Mountain Brook Mayor Stewart Welch stated, “The team’s effort aims to create a potentially viable future business model for landscaping services in the Southeast and across the United States. Incorporating electric equipment for landscape maintenance operations will lower noise and operating costs over time—a win-win strategy for everyone.” Following the classroom segment of the workshop, participants examined tools and inquired with Greenworks and AGZA about runtimes, charging times, and the optimal temperature ranges for storing and charging batteries.
AGZA and Greenworks provided a tool tutorial for Optimus Commercial tools and started building out the Green Landscaping electric trailer with the EnergyCube charging system earmarked for robust testing this spring and next two seasons.The first crews to test the tools are from Green Landscaping, headquartered in Irondale, AL. The Green Landscaping team is made up of degreed and certified horticulturists with over 100 years of combined experience. They have an impeccable reputation for exemplary service in the Mountain Brook community. “Green Landscaping was one of seven companies contacted to help us with this battery equipment field study. They stepped up to the plate in a big way,” said Dan Mabe of AGZA. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to test the Greenworks Optimus platform for the city and AGZA. We’re taking this seriously and will fully accommodate the electric technology to give it a fair chance,” said Quint Henninger of Green Landscaping. About Us | Green Landscaping
Green Landscaping work crews implementing Greenworks Optimus handheld commercial equipment in the Mountain Brook community.
The testing will include an independent cost-benefit analysis and evaluate the ROI trajectory of the Greenworks tool platform and charging system, compared to a trailer of region-specific gas-powered counterparts. Updates will be provided toward the end of the year, following the fall clean-up season.
Principal CEO at Gardenland Power Equipment & Co-Founder and CEO of Towa Industries Inc.
Roger Phelps joined STIHL Inc. in 2001 and is currently the Corporate Communications Manager. In that position he is responsible for creating and telling the STIHL story through integrated event marketing, strategic partnerships, sponsorships, and digital and social media with the goal of increasing the visibility of and affinity for the STIHL brand and over 10,000 STIHL dealers. He attended the U.S. Naval Academy and served 10 years in the U.S. Navy attaining the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He has serves on the National Association of Landscape Professionals Foundation Board of Directors, the National Association of State Park Directors Leadership School Board of Regents, and the Professional Grounds Management Society Board of Directors.
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