Every importer asks the same question at some point: petrol or electric? The honest answer is that it depends on three local variables — average lawn size, noise regulation and the reliability of mains power. Get those right and the range almost plans itself.
Where petrol wins
Petrol mowers dominate wherever lawns are large, ground is uneven, or the property is far from a power point. The pattern is consistent across markets:
- Plots above roughly 800 square metres.
- Rough ground, orchards, verges and slopes.
- Areas where an extension cable is impractical or unsafe.
- Markets where battery runtime is still seen as a limitation for large areas.
In these segments the buying criteria are simple: does it start reliably, does it cut wet grass without bogging down, and can the dealer service it.
Where electric and battery win
Electric mowers sell where lawns are small, gardens are enclosed, and noise matters:
- Suburban plots under roughly 500 square metres.
- Neighbourhoods with weekend noise restrictions.
- Markets with high petrol prices and reliable mains power.
- Buyers who store the mower in a shed or basement and do not want to handle fuel.
Corded electric remains the price entry point. Battery has moved from a niche to a mainstream category in northern Europe and parts of North America, and it now sells on convenience rather than on green credentials.
How to split the range
| Segment | Typical specification | Share of a balanced range |
|---|---|---|
| Entry corded electric | 1200–1600 W, 32–37 cm deck | 20% |
| Petrol push | 98–139 cc, 41–46 cm deck | 35% |
| Petrol self-propelled | 139–196 cc, 46–53 cm deck | 30% |
| Battery / premium | 36–80 V, 37–46 cm deck | 15% |
Those percentages are a starting point, not a rule. A market with large gardens and no noise restrictions will skew petrol; a dense suburban market will skew electric.
Specifications that decide repeat orders
- Deck material and paint. Thin steel and weak paint fail in humid or coastal climates within a season.
- Start system. A reliable recoil start, or electric start on larger models, removes the most common first-month complaint.
- Cut height adjustment. Central lever adjustment sells better than four separate wheel levers, and it is easier to demonstrate.
- Grass bag volume and fit. A bag that is hard to refit becomes a return.
Frequently asked questions
Is battery really ready for commercial use?
For small domestic gardens, yes. For contractors running several hours a day, petrol still dominates on runtime and refuelling speed.
Which deck size sells best?
41 to 46 cm covers most domestic demand. Offer 46 to 53 cm for larger plots and contractors.
How do I test a new market cheaply?
Order a mixed container with a small quantity of each drive type, measure sell-through over one season, then commit to the mix that worked.
Our lawn mower range covers petrol push, self-propelled, reel and electric models — send us your market profile and we will suggest a mix with MOQ, lead time and FOB pricing.