There are so many issues the way the ban of gas engines in
discussion is being implemented. The OPE dealers in CA have
been left out of the process. I invite our Bay Area
Board Member to visit our store, please. All board members
please visit a store near you. We welcome you. We have
more knowledge and direct access to the affected Commercial
Landscaper whether big or small all day long. That is our customer,
we are not a Big Box Store. Staff have not given the Board
the full picture with industry knowledge. For example
the battery manufactured unit they are using for Commercial Mower
comparison for pricing is NOT the unit the end
user in California will be buying. We are now so low
on inventory going into our high season for weed abatement and wild
fire defense season which is March-July. All dealers in CA
have a wait list for equipment, we received a call from So Cal
looking for a specific model just yesterday. This leaves CA
in a dire situation whether we are experiencing a drought or
raining season. Supply will not be there with battery units
when this time comes in 2024, I am very confident in that.
Please start with residential rated units. This user can go
to the Big Box Store and purchase an inexpensive throw away battery
unit that will last a few years. Ease us into this
regulation, give us a chance to change our business plan. Then
implement one type of unit at a time for the commercial
industry. It involves more than you realize. This
gives us a chance to give feedback to manufactures on performance
and changes needed per unit on this new product. We've had
engineers from Japan out regarding gas units so they can see why
the unit is not holding up under use and to make changes
needed. We will need this process for the Commercial
Industry. There is also a Tech. Service Department at each
store that will be effected. Thank you for your
consideration.
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