Small Off-Road Engines in California

Published by California Air Resources Board

Small off-road engines (SORE), used primarily for lawn, garden, and other equipment, have a population in California comparable to that of passenger cars. Despite making up only 8% of SORE, commercial lawn equipment accounts for 20% of smog emissions during summer. Running a commercial mower for an hour emits pollution equal to driving a new car 300 miles, while a leaf blower equates to 1,100 miles. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has significantly reduced SORE emissions since 1990 but projects that by 2031, SORE emissions will double those of passenger cars. To address this, CARB aims for zero emissions from off-road equipment by 2035, with new standards and incentives in development. Read the full fact sheet here.