Working smarter and safer as industry embraces technological revolution

The proliferation of battery-powered and robotic machinery and systems has transformed the way the industry works. Professional groundscare has embraced this change and is continually looking at ways of blending new technology with more traditional and established methods of creating world class surfaces.

At various industry trade shows in the last five to ten years there has been a theme running through many of the stands populated by the industry’s leading manufacturers – working smarter.

The advent of battery power, the electrification of familiar machinery and the significant progress made in robotics have undoubtedly transformed the way so many work on a day-to-day basis.

This workplace revolution is not confined to the elite of professional groundscare either, grassroots clubs and organisations have been just as enthusiastic about powering their future with investment in new technology.

This ethos of working smarter, more efficiently and more productively has been transformational for so many in professional groundscare. Not least in the way they have been able to devote more of their professional skills and knowledge on other important aspects of their role, from treating problems patches of turf to implementing new seeding programmes. Rather than being seen as a problem, this new technology has been regarded as a positive revolution by so many throughout the sector.

The start of preparations for a new season are often months in the planning and an area that is becoming increasingly important is investing in new machinery and technology.

There are still issues and challenges presented by this technology. Working smarter with new technology is almost guaranteed these days, but working safer is proving just as significant and important.

The new generation of machinery are far more sophisticated and that has knock-on effects, such as the need to ensure new maintenance regimes are up to speed and the operation of these solutions is 100% correct, 100% of the time they are use. The use of advanced battery systems has also opened up the vitally important area of safe transportation of machinery and above all safe disposal and recycling of these power generating cells.

BAGMA, the British Agricultural and Garden Machinery Association, has taken a lead in raising awareness of this need to work safer and introduced new training opportunities for those working with the new technology on a daily basis.

BAGMA’s EV Safety Training Course is proving very popular. The course is designed to help technicians, sales staff, delivery drivers, and workshop personnel gain a working knowledge of: practical skills for safely working with high-voltage systems; confidence in handling and moving EV battery packs safely; awareness of legal obligations and best practices; and a certificate of attendance recognised for internal compliance and safety audits.

Nick Darking, General Manager of BAGMA, seems only positives with the advance of new technology. But he also stresses the importance of understanding what working with the machinery and power units entails.

“Looking specifically at groundcare, one of the biggest shifts we’re seeing is the use of robotic mowing systems for the likes of fairways and roughs,” he said.

“Not only do robotic mowers bring fantastic consistency to the more monotonous of maintenance tasks, they are battery operated – improving green credentials and reducing noise pollution for players and neighbours. Their lighter footprint also brings agronomic benefit to sports pitches, which appear to be slightly behind golf courses in the adoption of robotic mowing systems. 

“With the exception of the disposal issue – which is being assessed and addressed with speed by a number of specialist recycling firms – there’s not many downsides we see to embracing the helping hand technology can provide to any modern-day land management.”

Battery-powered becomes equipment of choice

After five years of educating domestic and professional users on the environmental, health and performance benefits of battery-powered outdoor power equipment, EGO Power + has now concluded its Challenge 2025 campaign with the release of a new whitepaper.  

Summarising years of research and awareness activity from EGO, the whitepaper also includes research from industry trade body, the European Garden Machinery Federation (EGMF). The data shows that between 2019 and 2024, the percentage of petrol-powered equipment in use across Europe fell from 36% to 24%. In sharp contrast, electric cordless equipment almost doubled in use, rising from 28% to 48%. 

This is mirrored exactly in sales of new equipment, with electric cordless rising from 33% to 58%, and petrol falling from 40% to 26%.  

Drawing on five years of campaign insights, field data, and market research, the whitepaper also explores results from emissions, noise and vibration testing from independent testing specialists, and evaluates whether EGO’s vision to establish battery power as the principal power source for outdoor power equipment, was reached.  

Vince Brauns, Group Product Director, for EGO, said: “Our latest whitepaper shows clearly that our Challenge 2025 vision for battery power had a clear and significant impact on the industry. When we began the campaign, battery power was seen as a compromise. Users who had used petrol for decades; could not believe that this new technology could give them the power, performance or runtime that they were accustomed to, and all without the strong fumes, loud noise or high vibrations. With misconceptions at their highest, we decided that it was time to show users the impact that using petrol tools was having on themselves and the environment around them.” 

Challenge 2025 was launched in 2020 with one goal in mind: to educate and empower change in domestic and professional outdoor power equipment users to make battery the principal power source and leave petrol in the past. The hope was that by educating users about the advantages of using battery-powered outdoor power equipment, EGO could dispel misconceptions, reduce emissions and noise pollution, and increase user comfort and safety.  

All these things were achievable with the technology available in 2020; however, a lack of awareness about the harmful nature of petrol, combined with uninformed perceptions of battery power, meant that mindset was a barrier to change. But now, as technology continues to advance, and with calls from industry bodies such as the Climate Change Committee to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it is clear the market is shifting in favour of cleaner, quieter and safer equipment.  

Vince Brauns continues: “The campaign has enabled us to advocate for battery power in both the UK and European markets and has ultimately helped to reposition battery-powered tools from a niche alternative to a staple choice. While there is still a minority who will choose petrol-power over battery-power, due to the data-backed information we have shared over the past five years, the conversation has fundamentally changed.”  

Working with specialist partners, this powerful and thought-provoking campaign commissioned market research to understand the attitudes and perceptions of over 1,200 outdoor power equipment users, evaluated the performance of petrol and battery-powered tools against noise, vibration and emissions, made Freedom of Information requests to understand the use of petrol tools by local authorities in Clean Air Zones and generated extensive press and social media coverage to heighten awareness. 

While Challenge 2025 was successful in bringing battery power to the forefront of the industry, as the principal power source for outdoor power equipment, this is only the beginning of securing a cleaner future for generations to come.  

Smarter mowing, faster payback

For today’s grounds professionals, Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is more than a buzzword — it’s a business-critical metric.

With rising fuel prices, tightening budgets, and growing sustainability goals, Toro UK’s battery-powered Revolution Series offers a smarter way to mow. Backed by real-world data and a dedicated TCO Calculator, the range helps professionals understand when they’ll break-even — and how much they’ll save long-term.

Key benefits of battery-powered equipment:

• Fuel savings: No petrol or diesel required — just plug in and recharge from the mains
• Lower maintenance costs: Fewer moving parts and simplified servicing reduce downtime and expenses
• Longer service life: Built for professional use, with robust engineering and durable components
• Break-even in around three years – for example, for the GrandStand model that is based on 400 mowing hours/year and the Z Master it is based on 500 mowing hours/year.
• Comfort and productivity: Lightweight design, low noise, and reduced vibration help minimise operator fatigue and maximise output.

Toro’s Revolution Series is engineered for real-world performance, providing up to nine hours runtime: Depending on cut conditions, operators can work a full day on a single charge.

Compared to Toro’s petrol-powered equivalents — ideal for noise-sensitive areas and early starts. The new technology also helps to reduce environmental impact without compromising on power.

The Toro TCO Calculator helps you compare the lifetime cost of battery vs. petrol equipment — factoring in fuel, maintenance, and usage. It’s a powerful tool for procurement teams and business owners alike.

As Matthew Coleman, UK Sales & Marketing Manager at Toro U.K. Limited, explains: “Toro’s Revolution Series isn’t just about going electric — it’s about making a smarter investment. With fewer service intervals, no fuel costs, and a typical break-even point in just a few years, the numbers speak for themselves. We’re helping professionals take control of their costs while delivering the performance they expect from Toro.”

Making the right decisions is always a challenge and investing in new technology is one that is never taken lightly.

But increasingly it is apparent that professional groundscare is taking the option to work smarter, safer, more efficiently and continue to create the world-class surfaces that the UK has become renowned for, whether that be lower league clubs or an elite global arena.