Can a battery-powered tool deliver the performance you need? How can you keep your team working productively throughout the day using only battery power?
These questions are becoming increasingly important as professionals face rising fuel costs, stricter noise and emissions regulations, and more work in noise-sensitive urban areas.
This guide compares STIHL battery and petrol tools to help you choose the best solution for your business and explains the key advantages of modern lithium-ion battery technology.
Battery and petrol have different strengths. Which energy source is best for you depends on the application and environment.
Battery power is often the right choice when your work can be planned in advance and you have access to charging facilities, whether at your premises, in your vehicles or on site. In return, you benefit from quieter operation, lower vibration levels, zero direct emissions at the point of use and reduced maintenance requirements. This can help reduce downtime while improving the experience for users and anyone nearby.
Petrol tools remain a strong choice when you need maximum flexibility and don't have easy access to charging facilities. They are also well suited to demanding tasks that require long periods of continuous use. In sectors such as forestry, petrol-powered tools are often relied on for extended runtimes and as a dependable backup when working in remote locations.
The STIHL ALLPRO battery system is the STIHL battery system most suited to demanding professional work. Thanks to recent advances in battery technology it can deliver power and performance that rivals petrol. developed performance characteristics. The comparison below highlights the key differences between battery and petrol power, helping you choose the right solution for your professional needs.
| Criteria | STIHL battery power tools using the ALLPRO battery system | STIHL petrol power tool |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | Up to 60% more peak power than previous STIHL AP batteries4. | Constantly high performance even under extreme continuous load. |
| Runtime | With the right number of batteries, battery capacity, and charging solutions, runtime can be planned to meet the demands of the job. | Maximum independence for very long work assignments without charging breaks. |
| Maintenance | Minimal effort - no spark plugs or fuel filters required. | Increased maintenance effort due to regular maintenance of the petrol systems. |
| Operating costs | Higher initial costs, but low running costs due to cheap electricity and less maintenance. | Lower initial costs, but increasing running costs for petrol, spare parts and servicing. |
| Emissions and impact on health | Exhaust-free, low-vibration and quiet. Ideal for working near noise-sensitive areas such as schools or hospitals. | Emissions, stronger vibration and higher operating noise. Hearing protection is usually mandatory. |
| Use in the rain | Full operational safety in rain and wet conditions thanks to IPX4 or IPX5 certification3. | Fully weatherproof and robust for outdoor use. |
| Logistics | Charging planning and infrastructure required at your premises or within your vehicle fleet. | Logistics required for mixing, transporting and storing petrol. |
| Tool weight | 2.6 kg power tool weight without battery on the example model MSA 190 T battery chainsaw. | 3.3 kg power tool weight (without fuel) on the example model MS 194 T petrol chainsaw. |
The STIHL ALLPRO Battery System simplifies battery management with a single battery platform that is compatible with more than 80 STIHL professional tools. Existing AP batteries and chargers are also fully compatible, making it easy to integrate them into your fleet, and get continued value from your past investment.
In landscaping, grounds maintenance and public sector work, teams need equipment they can rely on in all weather conditions. STIHL battery tools are designed for use in rain and wet environments while offering quieter operation and zero direct emissions during use. This makes them particularly well suited to residential areas and noise-sensitive locations such as parks, schools, cemeteries and hospitals.
Battery or petrol chainsaw? For remote locations or demanding tasks that require extended periods of continuous use, a combination of battery and petrol-powered tools can provide the flexibility and reliability needed to stay productive. The ALLPRO battery system delivers up to 60% more peak power⁴ than previous battery solutions, providing the performance required for demanding pruning and felling work on small and medium-sized trees.
Switching from petrol to battery power doesn't have to be complex. With the right planning, you can make the transition step by step. By reviewing your current tools, understanding how they're used and assessing your charging requirements, you can introduce battery-powered equipment with confidence. Follow the steps below to get started.
Need help? The STIHL Commercial Solutions team specialise in supporting large end users in making the transition. If you'd like to request a consultation or a demonstration of STIHL's professional battery offering at your place of work, click here.
Consider the petrol-powered tools you're currently using and how often they get used. This will help you identify where switching to battery power could deliver the greatest benefits, whether that's reducing noise, lowering maintenance requirements or improving day-to-day efficiency.
Review how long and how intensively your teams use their tools each day. It's also important to consider whether work takes place in noise-sensitive areas or indoors, where battery-powered tools can offer significant advantages.
Determine your battery requirements based on how your tools are used throughout the working day. Oure commercial solutions team or your local STIHL Approved Dealer can help you identify the right number of batteries and charging solutions to keep your team productive and minimise downtime.
Establish a charging setup that supports your daily operations. For teams working across multiple locations, solutions such as the CB 1 Charging Box, provide a secure, weather-resistant way to charge and store batteries on the go.
STIHL tip:
Want to learn more about how to charge up to 32 batteries simultaneously via just one standard plug socket and start every working day with ready-to-use equipment? Find out how to design your charging management safely and efficiently here.
Start by trialling battery-powered tools in your day-to-day work to see how they perform in your environment. During the transition, keeping petrol-powered tools as a backup can provide added flexibility and confidence while your team adapts to the new technology.
Selected STIHL Dealers offer a Try Before You Buy programme, giving you the opportunity to test AP/ALLPRO System battery tools before investing. Find out more here.
Investing in new equipment or changing the way your team works requires careful planning. STIHL's Commercial Solutions team and our network of STIHL Approved Dealers can provide expert advice and support to help you choose the right solution for your business, to help make the switch as smooth as possible.
Since 2019, the company has been gradually transitioning; today, 85 percent of its power tools run on battery power. The initial scepticism has given way to clear enthusiasm.
Gachina Landscaping shows that durable STIHL power tools and modern battery technology can also be scaled for larger operations or many teams.
Yes, the STIHL ALLPRO battery power system has been specifically developed to meet the most demanding professional requirements. With up to 60% more peak power compared to previous models, the performance is in no way less than that of modern petrol-powered tools. The STIHL MSA 300 is the first battery chainsaw on the market to offer comparable power to petrol for forestry work (equivalent to the MS 261). You can also benefit from high torque in clearing saws, which handle even dense shrubs effortlessly.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. The ideal number of batteries depends on the type of work being carried out and the tools being used.
Thanks to the high energy density and extremely short charge times of the ALLPRO Battery System, you don't have to keep a separate battery for each power tool. In practice, a two-person landscaping team has found that having three batteries and a high-speed charger works well. While two batteries are in use in the power tools, the third can be on charge, and with the AL 1802 MO high-speed charger it can reach 80% capacity in just 9 minutes*.
* Time to reach 80% charge at ambient/battery temperatures of 25-40°C in combination with AL 1802 MO. Valid for ALLPRO batteries AP 100.0 P, AP 200.0 P and AP 300.0 P(C).
Although the initial cost is higher for battery, the operating costs are significantly lower over the entire service life of a tool. You save on every hour of runtime, as the cost of expensive fuel is completely eliminated. Real-world examples show that companies can save around £1,200 over three years by using a STIHL HSA 130 R alone. In addition, maintenance costs are significantly reduced as there is no need to service spark plugs, carburettors or fuel filters.
STIHL batteries are designed for heavy-duty use and, as part of the ALLPRO battery system, can withstand up to 3,000 charge cycles while maintaining consistent performance. Intelligent charging management helps make sure batteries are always charged and ready for use, even during peak periods. With a long service life and dependable performance, STIHL batteries offer a durable, cost-effective solution for professional users.
Yes. A gradual transition to battery power is often the most practical approach. You can start by introducing battery tools when working in noise-sensitive areas or for specific tasks, such as hedge trimming, while continuing to use petrol-powered tools where needed. Because all AP/ALLPRO battery tools use the same battery platform, you can easily add more batteries to your fleet as needed. The gardening company Liléo Jardins, has already converted 85% of their fleet to battery power using this approach, demonstrating how effective this method can be in practice.
Battery tools can be used reliably in remote locations thanks to flexible charging solutions. Mobile outdoor charging solutions, such as the AL 1802 MO high-speed charger combined with a portable power supply like the PS 2000, help keep batteries charged when working away from fixed power sources.
You also don't need to worry about how your batteries will perform in challenging conditions; STIHL ALLPRO batteries are IPX5-rated, making them resistant to water spray and suitable for working in wet weather.
1 Charge cycles: Up to 3,000 cycles without noticeable loss of performance; can still be used afterwards. Only valid for ALLPRO batteries AP 100.0 P, AP 200.0 P and AP 300.0 P(C)
2 Charging time at ambient/battery temperatures of 25-40 °C in combination with the AL 1802 MO. Valid for ALLPRO batteries AP 100.0 P, AP 200.0 P and AP 300.0 P(C)
3 PX5 protection only applies to ALLPRO batteries AP 100.0 P, AP 200.0 P and AP 300.0 P(C). The ALLPRO AP 20.1 and AP 30.1 batteries are IPX4 certified.
4 Comparison with AP 300.0 P(C) and AP 300 S.
