In March 2007, Bosch launched the Rotak LI onto the market, the world’s first lawnmower powered by lithium-ion technology. The power is supplied by a 36 volt lithium-ion battery of a type that has already proved a great success in Bosch power tools. It has numerous advantages including high energy density, long service life, no memory effect, minimal self-discharge and short charging times. Even if unused for a period of six months, 80 percent of the charge would still be available. That means the new battery-powered mowers from Bosch are always ready when you are.
Gasoline and battery-powered mowers offer greater flexibility as they are not connected to the mains electricity supply. However, with gasoline mowers, this flexibility comes at a price – noise, exhaust fumes and high energy consumption. In contrast, the Rotak mowers emit no exhaust fumes and conserve energy. For a 300 m2 lawn, the volume of fuel required by a conventional gasoline mower is equivalent to approximately 2.9 kWh. The lithium-ion lawnmower from Bosch is much more efficient – for the same area of lawn, the Rotak LI needs only 0.13 kWh of electricity, less than a twentieth of the power required by the gasoline mower. In other words, the energy used by the Rotak LI is equivalent to barely a shot glass of gasoline (1.5 centiliters) while the gasoline mower would consume a 0.3 liter glass of fuel to cover the same area of grass.
This twentyfold improvement in the energy balance also has a number of benefits for the environment. A gasoline mower emits over 700 grams of CO2 while cutting a 300 m2 lawn. Based on the power generation conditions in Germany, a lithium-ion lawnmower would emit only around 70 grams CO2 while producing the electricity it needs to do the job. The Rotak LI not only offers an alternative to the stench, loud rattling, tiresome maintenance and exhausting starts demanded by gasoline mowers, it also makes real progress in helping to protect the environment.
