WOODSTOCK — Organizers of an upcoming event are hoping to convince municipalities, school districts and contractors to give electric lawn equipment a try.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday at Woodstock Union High School and Middle School, at 100 Amsden Way, people will have a chance to try out electric equipment, including riding lawn mowers, push mower and leaf blowers from five manufacturers.

There will also be information about rebate programs for equipment. While homeowners considering making the switch are welcome, the event is directed at those with larger-scale operations.

“It’s an amazing amount of emissions through grounds maintenance equipment,” said Jeff Grout, intermunicipal regional energy coordinator at the Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission, which is hosting the event along with the high school, Sustainable Woodstock, Green Mountain Power and Vermont Clean Cities Coalition.

Fuel-powered equipment uses internal combustion engines, which create air pollution.

“Vehicles have a lot of emission controls and pollution-control devices,” Grout said. “Most lawn and garden equipment that uses fossil fuels does not.”

Electric equipment is also quieter than those that use fuel.

“The schools that do use them find they really like them, because they’re quiet enough that they can do their grounds maintenance when school is in session,” Grout said. “You just don’t get that exhaust smell from equipment. It’s not nearly as loud as gas equipment.”

One reason people have been slow to make the switch to electric equipment, Grout said, is the cost. While fuel-powered equipment remains cheaper than electric equipment, that gap has gotten smaller.

“Over time, because you’re not paying for fuel, you’re not paying for oil changes, you’re not paying for maintenance … the ‘cost of ownership,’ as they say, is actually better for electric equipment,” Grout said, adding that he’d like to see more rebates that help consumers with the start-up costs.

Electric equipment has also gotten stronger and can hold charges longer than earlier models.

“It can handle larger acreage as well,” such as smaller residential lots, Grout said.

Grout encourages those who are skeptical of electric equipment to stop by and learn more about its capabilities.

“This is a chance to come down and try it to see for yourself,” he said.

Editor’s note: For more information, visit trorc.org/calendar.

Liz Sauchelli can be reached at esauchelli@vnews.com or 603-727-3221.