The electric riding mower arena just got twice as crowded as the Ariens AMP™ Rider joins Hustler Turf’s Zeon all-electric zero-turn mower. The all-electric rear-wheel-drive and front-wheel steer AMP fills a more traditional riding-mower niche with a battery-powered machine that promises to deliver as much drive and cutting power as a conventional gas-powered riding mower without the emissions, oil, belts or noise associated with gasoline-powered mowers. The new AMP Rider will be available in May at The Home Depot and select Ariens dealers throughout the United States. Mother Earth News is hoping to test drive one soon, so stay tuned for more news on this new electric mower.
PHOTO COURTESY ARIENS
Here are excerpts from the AMP electric riding mower news release:
Ariens is the first company to offer a riding electric mower in conjunction with a mass channel retail chain and through a wide and proven dealer network across the U.S. AMP™ Rider will sell for an MSRP of $3,299, the lowest priced all-electric riding lawn mower on the market.
“We understand that our customers desire alternative energy fueled mowers, and we are methodically moving our company towards offering a line of products that run off electric and other alternative fuels,” says Dan Ariens, company president. “With AMP™ Rider, we are able to offer homeowners a way to reduce fuel expenses and produce zero emissions, without sacrificing the power, reliability and support they expect from Ariens’ products.”
The AMP™ Rider is clean, easy and powerful and offers the following features:
- No gasoline-producing emissions
- 50 percent quieter than gas-reliant engine mowers
- Fully charges in 16 hours (overnight) and runs up to 75 minutes on one charge
- Charges with smart technology, shutting down automatically once full charge is reached
- Same power as a conventional gas-powered rear engine riding mower
- Minimal maintenance: no oil, gas, belts to maintain
- Constructed with the same durable, high performance structure used on other Ariens premium riding mowers
- Strong support network, with 2,000 Ariens dealers across the country
AMP™ Rider meets ANSI safety standards and offers a range of safety features one would expect from Ariens.
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PHOTO COURTESY ARIENS |
| Batteries in the AMP Rider power the mower for up to 75 minutes on a charge. |
How much lawn will the AMP™ cut?
The AMP™ Rider electric mower will cut an acre of lawn within an hour.
How powerful is the mower?
The AMP™ Rider electric mower has a 4.0 hp traction or drive motor and two 1.7 hp cutting motors. It is just as powerful as a conventional gas-powered, rear-engine riding mower.
How long will the mower operate before it needs to be recharged?
Depending on the terrain, length of grass and moisture, the AMP™ Rider electric mower will cut continuously for up to 75 minutes.
Is it a hybrid?
No. The AMP™ Rider electric mower is 100 percent electrically powered.
How long does it take to recharge the batteries?
The AMP™ Rider electric mower can be recharged in 16 hours. With an optional 20-amp charger, the AMP™ Rider can be recharged in five hours. Technology integrated within the battery allows the unit to automatically shut off and hibernate when full recharge is reached, saving electricity costs.
Is it quieter than a gas mower?
Noise tests have consistently shown the AMP™ Rider electric mower delivers more than a 50% reduction in noise.
What maintenance is required?
The AMP™ Rider electric mower requires little to no maintenance. There are no belts to replace, no oil changes to make, and no off-season storage preparation required. The blades will need to be sharpened on average every two years depending on the volume of mowing the AMP™ conducts.
If something needs repair, can I get it serviced locally?
Yes. In every community where the AMP™ Rider electric mower is sold, there is a Certified AMP Dealer trained to service the AMP™ Rider.
What is the cost and the ROI?
AMP™ Rider is selling for $3,299 MSRP and is available at HomeDepot.com and at Certified AMP™ Rider Dealers across the country. We estimate that with a gallon of gas costing $3 per gallon and with weekly mowing, the average consumer would save $120 a year on fuel costs and avoid additional costs for oil and tune-ups.
How much does it cost to replace the battery and how often does it need to be replaced?
AMP™ batteries are designed for 200 charges — the equivalent of about three to four years of mowing. The current estimate for battery replacement based on today’s battery technology is $749.
That cost is comparable to the $600 to $800 in savings you will incur with an electric mower over a three- to four-year time — about $200 per year for gas, oil and annual maintenance tune-up, including the cost of replacement filters and spark plugs. Advancements in battery technology may also cause the price to decrease by the time AMP™ batteries will need to be replaced.
