MILWAUKEE® reveals the true cost of petrol on urban construction sites

MILWAUKEE® Tools new ‘Room to Breathe’ whitepaper for MX FUEL™ sets out the environmental, health and financial case for replacing petrol-powered light equipment with MX FUEL™ battery-powered alternatives across EMEA:

• A single MX FUEL™ Tower Light prevents more than 4,061 kg CO₂ per year, the equivalent of four work vans’ annual emissions.
• One in three construction workers is exposed to harmful fumes between three and five days per week.
• 93% of construction professionals now use battery-powered tools, yet progress towards fully cordless fleets remains slow.

Petrol-powered equipment is a significant and overlooked source of air pollution, health risk and compliance liability on construction sites. New MILWAUKEE® research across more than 2,000 professional users in EMEA makes the case for accelerating the transition to battery power.

The hidden cost of petrol on the construction site

Petrol-powered equipment contributes to more than 108 million tonnes of CO₂ annually, with air pollution costing the EU around €600 billion a year, equivalent to 4% of GDP. WHO Europe and the European Respiratory Society report that respiratory diseases account for more than €17 billion in annual productivity losses.

The human cost

One in three construction workers is exposed to harmful fumes three to five days per week. On urban sites, petrol-powered tools also release harmful PM2.5 particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂). Prolonged exposure to harmful fumes is linked to asthma, COPD, lung cancer and cardiovascular disease.

The shift to battery

Three in four respondents to MILWAUKEE®’s survey rate their cordless experience as good or excellent. Four in five believe battery systems can serve as true petrol replacements, with noise reduction (31.8%), environmental benefits (21%) and health improvements (16%) cited as the primary motivations.

As the ‘Room to Breathe’ whitepaper reveals, on total cost of ownership, the numbers make a strong case for battery power adoption. The MX FUEL™ Cut-Off Saw delivers more than €240 in annual savings over its petrol equivalent; the Breaker saves around €1,700 per year; the Tower Light saves approximately €1,800 per year. Battery equipment also eliminates recurring costs for spark plugs, filters, carburettors, air filters, drive belts and starter cords.

Real-world proof

Skanska Rental in Sweden ran a two-year trial before committing to full MX FUEL™ adoption. Mirza Palislamovic, Product Manager at Skanska Rental, Sweden, said safety was central to the decision. “For Skanska, safety is number one and always has been. So, if we have a product with better safety features like MX FUEL™’s AUTOSTOP™ feature, then of course it’s a big plus.”

The direction of travel is clear. Palislamovic added, “By 2027, we will have all battery machines instead of petrol. So, I don’t see any problems in going from petrol to battery power.”

The path forward

California has banned new petrol-powered tools in built-up areas. More than 100 US municipalities have enacted restrictions, and Stockholm and Oslo have established no-emission zones. European regulators are watching closely.

The ‘Room to Breathe’ whitepaper outlines the priorities the industry should champion: supporting the expansion of civic no-emission zones, educating end users on the full benefits of battery power, investing in charging infrastructure and demonstrating battery performance in real working conditions.

MILWAUKEE® Jobsite Solutions (JSS) team are available to work directly with end-users, providing hands-on demonstrations across the MX FUEL™ range to help teams understand performance, runtime and total cost of ownership in the context of their own operations.

To download the Room to Breathe (MX FUEL™ edition) whitepaper, click here.

To find out more about MILWAUKEE®, click here.