Chainsaws are one of the last outdoor tool categories where gas has traditionally been the "serious" choice and electric was seen as a compromise. For decades, if you cut real firewood or dropped real trees, you owned a gas saw. Electric chainsaws were for pruning small branches around suburban yards.
That changed in the last few years. Modern high-voltage (60V, 80V) cordless chainsaws deliver cutting speed and power comparable to typical residential gas saws — genuinely comparable, not marketing-comparable. But the answer still isn't "electric wins" in every situation. This guide walks through the honest tradeoffs between gas and electric chainsaws in 2026, when each still makes sense, and the Greenworks 80V 18" chainsaw built for serious homeowner cutting work.
Cutting Performance — The Old Gap Has Closed
| Typical Residential Gas Chainsaw | Greenworks 80V 18" | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine/motor | 35–45cc gas | 80V brushless, 1.8 kW |
| Bar length | 16"–18" | 18" |
| Chain speed | ~10–12 m/s | 10.5 m/s |
| Cut through 8" hardwood log | ~15 seconds | ~15 seconds |
| Sustained cutting | Unlimited (with fuel) | Limited by battery |
| Cold-weather starting | Can be problematic | Immediate |
For residential cutting — firewood processing, storm cleanup, occasional felling of small-to-medium trees — 80V cordless matches typical 40cc gas chainsaws in real-world cutting speed. The old "electric can't handle real work" complaint applied to 20V and 40V cordless saws. 80V changed the equation.
Where gas still has an edge: continuous multi-hour cutting sessions where battery swaps become impractical, and extreme cutting demands where 50cc+ pro saws are appropriate.
Runtime — The Remaining Structural Difference
Here's where gas still has a genuine advantage. A gas saw runs as long as you have fuel. An electric saw is limited by battery capacity.
| Cutting Volume | Gas Chainsaw | 80V Single 2.5Ah Battery | 80V Multiple Batteries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Occasional pruning | Fine | Fine | Overkill |
| Storm cleanup (few trees) | Fine | Fine (may swap once) | Fine |
| 1–2 cords firewood | Fine | Multiple charges needed | Fine with 3+ batteries |
| 3–5 cords firewood | Preferred | Impractical | Manageable with 3+ batteries |
| 5+ cords firewood annually | Preferred | Impractical | Gas preferred |
| Commercial tree work | Only option | Not applicable | Not applicable |
For most homeowners — occasional pruning, storm cleanup, and 1–2 cords of firewood per year — 80V cordless handles the workload with 2–3 batteries cycling through a rapid charger.
Cost of Ownership
| Cost Category | Gas Chainsaw (16"–18" residential) | 80V Electric Chainsaw |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase (tool + first battery for electric) | $300–$500 | $400–$700 (kit) |
| Fuel (10 years, moderate use) | ~$200 | ~$25 electricity |
| Bar and chain oil | ~$100 | ~$100 (same) |
| 2-cycle oil for fuel mix | ~$60 | N/A |
| Spark plugs / air filters | ~$60 | $0 |
| Chain replacements | ~$120 | ~$120 (same) |
| Battery replacement (year 6-8) | N/A | ~$250 |
| 10-year total | $840–$1,040 | $895–$1,195 |
Over a decade, total costs are roughly comparable. Gas is cheaper upfront and has slightly lower total cost of ownership for pure chainsaw use. Where electric wins on cost: if you already own 80V batteries from other Greenworks tools (mower, blower, trimmer), you can buy the chainsaw tool-only — dropping the entry price by $200+ and making electric substantially cheaper over the lifecycle.
Maintenance — Where Electric Wins Meaningfully
Chainsaws are notorious for maintenance complexity, and gas is where it all shows up:
- Gas chainsaw annual maintenance: Fuel mixing (2-cycle oil ratio), fuel stabilizer for winter storage, spark plug replacement, air filter cleaning, carburetor cleaning if it sat with untreated fuel, chain tension checks, bar cleaning. Serious annual commitment.
- Electric chainsaw annual maintenance: Chain tension checks. Chain sharpening or replacement. Bar cleaning. That's essentially it.
The big one specifically for Canadian buyers: Canadian winter storage is a killer for gas chainsaws. Fuel sitting through -20°C to -30°C temperatures with ethanol-blended gas is the primary reason gas chainsaws fail to start each spring. Electric chainsaws don't care about winter storage — remove the battery, put it on a shelf indoors, done.
Noise, Emissions, and Vibration
Real quality-of-life differences:
| Gas Chainsaw | 80V Electric Chainsaw | |
|---|---|---|
| Sound level | 100–115 dB | 85–95 dB |
| Hearing protection required | Absolutely | Recommended for extended use |
| Emissions | 2-cycle exhaust (unpleasant, harmful) | None |
| Vibration | Significant | Notably less |
| Suitable for enclosed spaces | Never (CO poisoning risk) | Yes (garage, shop) |
For anyone cutting firewood in a garage or shed, or doing any indoor cutting work, gas is a non-starter — carbon monoxide poisoning is a real risk. Electric works safely in enclosed spaces.
Vibration is the underrated factor. Gas chainsaws vibrate significantly, causing hand fatigue and long-term risk of "white finger" (vibration-induced Raynaud's syndrome). Electric chainsaws vibrate substantially less, making extended cutting sessions less fatiguing.
Cold-Weather Starting — A Canadian Reality
This deserves its own section for Canadian buyers.
Gas chainsaws are notoriously difficult to start in cold weather. Below freezing, expect multiple pull-cord attempts and possible choke adjustments. Below -10°C, some gas saws simply won't start until warmed up. Storm cleanup after a Canadian ice storm — exactly when you need the saw most — is often when gas saws fail.
Electric chainsaws start immediately regardless of temperature. Insert battery, pull trigger, cut. This alone is enough to convince many Canadian homeowners to switch.
Battery caveat: cold reduces battery capacity temporarily. A battery kept in an unheated garage overnight will show reduced runtime the first few minutes of use. Solution: keep the battery inside overnight, or in an insulated case in the vehicle.
Safety Comparison
Both categories have serious safety requirements, but there are meaningful differences:
- Kickback: Both types have chain brakes. Modern electric chainsaws typically use electronic chain brakes that react faster than mechanical brakes.
- Fuel handling: Only gas involves flammable liquid, spilled fuel on hot engines, and fume inhalation risk.
- Fatigue: Gas vibration and noise cause faster fatigue — fatigued operators make mistakes.
- Unexpected starts: Electric saws with proper trigger locks are less likely to start accidentally than a gas saw with a stuck throttle.
Neither is "safer" in absolute terms — both are dangerous tools that require training and PPE. But the practical safety advantages tilt toward electric for residential use.
The Best 80V Electric Chainsaw for the Switch
For Canadian homeowners making the switch from gas — occasional to moderate cutting needs, storm cleanup capability, ready for lower maintenance and instant cold-weather starting — the Greenworks 80V 18" Brushless Chainsaw (Tool Only) is built for this transition:
| Spec | Greenworks 80V 18" Brushless Chainsaw |
|---|---|
| Voltage | 80V brushless |
| Rated motor power | 1.8 kW (40cc gas-equivalent) |
| Bar length | 18" |
| Chain speed | 10.5 m/s (gas-equivalent) |
| Chain | 3/8" pitch, .050" gauge (residential standard) |
| Chain brake | Electronic |
| Kickback reduction | Yes |
| Oiler | Automatic, 200 mL translucent tank |
| Bucking spikes | Steel |
| Weight (tool only) | 11 lbs |
| Battery/charger | Not included (tool only) |
| Warranty | 4-year tool |
| Compatible tools on platform | 75+ |
Real-world switching advantages:
Starts every time. No cold-weather pull-cord frustration. Insert battery, pull trigger.
18" bar handles residential firewood. Cuts through logs up to 16" diameter in a single pass. Covers 95% of residential firewood diameter.
Steel bucking spikes. Critical for firewood work. Cheap chainsaws use plastic; the Greenworks uses steel that grips logs for cleaner cuts.
Electronic chain brake. Faster response than mechanical brakes on many gas equivalents.
Tool-only pricing. If you already own 80V batteries from other Greenworks tools, this saves $200+ vs. buying a full kit.
4-year warranty. Longer than most gas chainsaws.
Making the Switch — What to Expect
Practical adjustments if you're moving from gas to electric:
- Buy 2–3 batteries for real firewood work. Single-battery ownership works for occasional cutting; serious firewood processing needs battery cycling.
- Store batteries indoors during winter. Canadian cold reduces battery life if stored in unheated spaces.
- Sharpen the chain every 2 hours of cutting. Same maintenance as gas.
- Sell your gas saw. Working gas chainsaws hold reasonable used value.
FAQ
Does an 80V electric chainsaw really cut as well as a gas saw?
For residential use, yes. 80V brushless motors deliver chain speed and torque comparable to typical 40cc gas chainsaws. Real-world cutting through hardwood, firewood, and storm debris is comparable. Pro-grade 50cc+ gas saws still have an edge for extreme work.
How many logs can I cut on one battery?
On a 2.5Ah battery: roughly 15–25 cuts through 8" hardwood logs. On a 4.0Ah battery: roughly double. For a full firewood session, plan on 2–3 batteries cycling through a rapid charger.
Can I use this for storm cleanup?
Yes — this is one of the best use cases for cordless. Instant starting in cold weather, no fuel to worry about, and typical storm cleanup (a few downed branches to full-tree cleanup) fits within 1–2 battery charges.
What about cold-weather battery performance?
Batteries lose some capacity when very cold. Keep the battery indoors overnight and it'll perform normally when you go out to cut. An insulated tool case helps if you're transporting in extreme cold.
Is the tool-only version enough for a first-time buyer?
Only if you already own an 80V battery. If this is your first Greenworks 80V purchase, buy a kit or add a battery+charger separately. The tool-only price advantage matters when batteries transfer from other tools.
What if I need to cut trees larger than 16" diameter?
You can make multiple cuts from opposite sides for logs up to about 20" diameter with an 18" bar. Beyond that, you're into pro-grade territory where 50cc+ gas saws are appropriate.
The Right Electric Chainsaw for Canadian Homeowners
If you cut occasional firewood, handle storm cleanup, prune large branches, or take on any residential cutting work — and you're tired of gas maintenance and cold-weather starting problems — the Greenworks 80V 18" Brushless Chainsaw is built for this exact use. 18" bar, 1.8 kW brushless motor, 10.5 m/s chain speed, steel bucking spikes, electronic chain brake, and 4-year warranty coverage.
Keep reading:
- One Battery System Saves You Money — The Greenworks Ecosystem — Why staying inside one battery platform saves Canadian homeowners hundreds.
- Greenworks 80V vs EGO 56V — The Battery Showdown — How Greenworks 80V compares to the leading dedicated outdoor competitor.
- Greenworks vs Ryobi — A Canadian Buyer's Comparison — Power, price, battery tech, and Canadian availability compared.
- Greenworks Lawn Mower Review — Every Model for 2026 — Pair your chainsaw with the right mower in the 80V lineup.