Looking for a snow blower? Some new electric models no longer need to be plugged in
Looking for a snow blower? Some new electric models no longer need to be plugged in
Those looking for a snow blower to clear their driveways may want to consider an electric model.
Consumer Reports has been testing battery-powered snow blowers for the past six years and found electric models are improving.
“Battery-powered snow blowers are really nipping at the heels of comparably sized gas models, and they offer advantages that gas snow blowers can’t match,” said David Trezza, who oversees Consumer Reports tests.
Ryobi Canada demonstrated a Ryobi 40V 24-inch electric battery-operated snow blower for CTV News Toronto.
Becky Yan, Director of Marketing with Ryobi Canada, said that an electric battery-powered snow blower does not require the fuel, oil and maintenance of a gas-powered snow blower.
“With any gas products similar to your car, you have to change the spark plugs, change the oil, and do all sorts of maintenance with the engine. With this battery technology, there is zero maintenance except for keeping the batteries charged," Yan said.
The model that was demonstrated had a push-button start, was self-propelled, and was able to clear about 20 centimetres of snow from a driveway without too much effort.
Since the snow blower comes with four batteries, Ryobi says this model can run for about 40 minutes, which should be enough to clear an average-sized driveway.
“You really shouldn’t have an issue, but we have two extra battery slots, so you could swap out batteries if you do run out of power,” said Yan.
The Ryobi snow blower model tested sells for $2,198 plus taxes. Replacement batteries are $264 each and come with a three-year warranty.
Battery power may not be for everyone, but it's another option to help you clear the snow. As battery technology improves, Yan said it’s likely more home improvement tools will make the switch from gas power.
"Definitely snow blowers, lawn mowers, all of your bigger equipment that you need for home maintenance, will all be battery powered," Yan said.
The parents of young Ontario hockey player Ben Teague have been searching for answers since he died while at a team retreat in 2019. The mystery about what happened and the code of silence in hockey culture is explored in CTV W5's 'What Happened to Ben,' on CTVNews.ca and W5's official YouTube channel.
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Quebec provincial police (SQ) announced Monday morning that a third person has died in connection with the tragedy in Amqui, in the Lower St. Lawrence region, where a driver drove his pickup truck into pedestrians a week ago.
Officials are still looking for victims after a fire ripped through a building in Old Montreal last week, killing at least one person. At a press conference Monday morning, spokespersons for the Montreal police and Montreal fire department said six people are still missing. They come from various locations in Quebec, Ontario and the U.S.
Quebec provincial police (SQ) announced Monday morning that a third person has died in connection with the tragedy in Amqui, in the Lower St. Lawrence region, where a driver drove his pickup truck into pedestrians a week ago.
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Bargain hunters are one step closer to seeing sales at Nordstrom's closing Canadian locations. At a hearing at Osgoode Hall in Toronto on Monday, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice gave the U.S. retailer's Canadian branch permission to start liquidating its merchandise.
Ontario employers who withhold foreign workers’ passports or work permits could face steeper penalties under new labour laws, with maximum fines setting them back up to $200,000.
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The University of Prince Edward Island Faculty Association says its staff has gone on strike after what it says are failed attempts to enter additional negotiations with the university's administration.
The student union president at Cape Breton University said food insecurity has become a concern for many students and the on-campus food bank cannot keep up with demand.
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An Ontario woman has launched a lawsuit seeking $500,000 from Tim Hortons after she suffered major burns from an alleged ‘superheated’ tea. The company has denied all allegations and said she was ‘the author of her own misfortune.'
Vancouver firefighters were called to the Downtown Eastside Sunday evening after a fire destroyed multiple tents in an encampment and spread to a building near Main and East Hastings streets.
An Ontario woman has launched a lawsuit seeking $500,000 from Tim Hortons after she suffered major burns from an alleged ‘superheated’ tea. The company has denied all allegations and said she was ‘the author of her own misfortune.'
An international student was swarmed and beaten by a group of people who ripped off his turban and dragged him across the sidewalk by his hair in Kelowna, B.C., Friday evening, according to a local politician.
Autopsies confirmed gunshot wounds as the cause of death for two constables responding to a domestic dispute Thursday, the Edmonton Police Service says.
