John Deere Promotes a More Sustainable Golf and Sports Turf Industry
In all industries it serves, John Deere has made a strategic commitment to promote and provide sustainable practices, equipment and technologies, helping to deliver better outcomes for its customers and their communities. The full portfolio of products and service solutions offered by John Deere in the golf and sports turf market is designed to help golf course managers maintain their acres with ease. For over 180 years, John Deere has been an industry leader that puts its customers’ needs first by delivering innovative products and business solutions, including battery-powered turf equipment.
In recent years, the industry has taken major strides toward the adoption of smarter, more sustainable equipment and technology, supporting a greener game of golf. With the rapid growth of the sport, John Deere is dedicated to providing solutions to help meet the demand of its customers while simultaneously reducing the carbon footprint of the industry. Not only is battery-powered turf equipment more quiet than traditional gas-powered solutions but John Deere hybrid and electric machines significantly reduce or completely eliminate hydraulic leaks and meet current EPA and CARB requirements. In addition, all electric John Deere machines require no fuel or engines, which equates to zero tailpipe emissions and reduced noise pollution. Lastly, GPS sprayer technology significantly reduces chemical, water and fuel usage on the golf course.
Battery-powered turf equipment is not new for John Deere. Around the time of the oil crisis of the 1970s, John Deere sold two different models of battery-powered residential riding mowers. In 1999, John Deere began selling the TE Gator, a popular model that is still in production today. In 2005, the E-Cut™ Hybrid system (2500E) was introduced for golf customers, now spanning riding and walk-behind greens mowers, and fairway mowers within the current portfolio. In 2009, the E-Cut Hybrid technology was introduced on the fairway mowers (8000 E-Cut), followed by the walk-behind greens mowers (220 E-Cut) in 2012 and the 180 E-Cut in 2013. The growing family of golf course maintenance equipment is directly correlated to the demand from customers for solutions that improve their businesses and the environments around them.
Most recently, John Deere introduced new battery-electric and hybrid-electric golf and sports turf machine offerings for its customers, helping to provide options to customers seeking solutions with alternative power sources. Looking toward the future, by 2026, John Deere intends to bring to market at least one battery electric option for each Turf and Compact Utility Tractor product category within North America.
With John Deere electrification products, such as the 185 and 225 E-Cut™ Electric Walk Greens Mowers, customers can expect powerful performance, quieter and more intuitive operation, easier maintenance, reduced emissions and improved cost of operation. Building upon the current portfolio of sustainability-focused machines, other equipment introduced in 2023 include the 6700A and 7700A E-Cut™ Hybrid Fairway Mowers, the Gator™ GS and Gator™ GS Electric and the TruFinishTM 1220 Utility Rake, making for a well-rounded product portfolio for those looking to make an impact on and off the green.
As a result of the recent machine introductions, the John Deere battery electric vehicle portfolio will be one of the key contributors to the 30% reduction of fleet emissions by 2030. In conclusion, John Deere remains committed to providing sustainable solutions that not only benefit its customers but also champion the golf industry's evolution towards environmentally friendly practices.
