California Law
Why no more gas equipment?
Wondering why the new mowers, trimmers and blowers on our floor are battery-powered? It's California law — and that law is in the middle of a federal court fight right now. Here's the short version.
The law
In 2021, California passed AB 1346, directing the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to cut emissions from small off-road engines — the engines in lawn mowers, leaf blowers, string trimmers and chainsaws — with the standard phasing down to zero. During the phase-in, CARB let manufacturers use emission credits and modified engine designs to keep certifying certain gas models, which is why you've still been able to buy some gas equipment from us. That window closes at the end of 2026: after that, dealers like us can't purchase any new gas inventory. Shops can still sell the certified gas equipment they already have in stock — but once it's gone, it's gone. (Portable generators and large pressure washers were put on a later track, at model year 2028.)
Why California did it
Air quality. Small engines are disproportionately dirty: CARB found that running a commercial gas mower for one hour produces roughly as much smog-forming pollution as driving a new passenger car 300 miles. California has the worst air quality in the nation, and lawn and garden equipment is a significant share of it.
What could stop it
California can only enforce its own engine rules with a federal waiver under the Clean Air Act — and that waiver is under attack. In June 2026, the EPA reclassified California's waivers as "rules" and sent them to Congress, which could vote to cancel them. California sued, and on September 2, 2026, a federal judge blocked the EPA's move and ordered the status quo restored while the case plays out — so the ban stands today. The EPA has appealed, and the final court decisions are expected over the coming year. If the EPA and Congress ultimately prevail, the ban could be undone and gas equipment could return; if California wins, it stands as scheduled.
What it means for you
If you've been thinking about a gas model, don't wait — we can still sell the gas equipment we have in inventory, but we can't purchase more, so when it's gone it's gone. Nothing in the law stops you from using, repairing or servicing the gas equipment you already own — and Mac's will keep servicing it for as long as you own it. New equipment going forward is battery — and commercial crews can use Ventura County vouchers to help cover the switch.
