I recently purchased an 18 volt rechargable battery powered weed trimmer as I continue my efforts to reduce my personal polluting. It is a Black and Decker. $79.00 from Walmart. Black and Decker makes a better model that is 20 volts with better batteries for $129.00, but I wanted to see how well the 18 volt would perform. Much to my suprise the 18 volt performs at an adequate level. I live in the Southeast of the US with thick grasses, weeds, and the dreaded Kudzoo vines. I have alot of trimming to do with all my beds and walks. The 2 batteries get me thru the job. I will buy the better model and rate it against the less expensive 18 volt. The 20 volt model model also has a matching blower. I will rate that as well. I have been reading about battery operated push and riding mowers online and in Mother Earth News. They are intriguing. I have an electric push mower from Black and Decker and it performs fantastic! Cuts and mulches well. Black and Decker makes a 24 volt and 36 volt battery operated push mowers that both review well. I plan on buying the 36 volt model next. Of course if you don't recycle the batteries and they go to the landfill it's all for naught.