Husqvarna plug-in electric mower

Swedish chainsaw and garden equipment manufacturer Husqvarna has developed what could be the world's first electric plug-in ride-on mower. Meet the Panthera Leo.

This environmentally aware ride-on lawn mower has a distinctively futuristic design that incorporates three separate cutting 'pods' that have been styled in a way to maximise aesthetic impact.

Grounds keepers and lawn aficionados will appreciate the sound-absorption materials layered throughout the cutting deck (goodbye earmuffs) and the trio of razor-sharp blade-encrusted cutting nodules can easily adapted to suit unorthodox lawn layouts via changes in width.

Most of the Panthera Leo's functions can be articulated via steering wheel controls, and an LCD screen conveys all the important telemetry such as cutting height and width, vehicle speed, battery charge and even servicing intervals.

Constructed from recycled materials, the Panthera Leo is a green machine in almost every sense, and is equipped with a large lithium-phosphate battery system.

Husqvarna claims that a full charge gives the electric mower a two-hour operating period, which should be enough for most serious mower racers.

The driver's seat is contoured to keep the body from slewing around during high-G cornering, which is made possible thanks to a quintet of electric motors.

Though the U.S. Lawn Mower Racing Association regulations stipulate that no mower modifications are allowed for competition, this new all-electric model could change the field of play forever. Assuming you have an extension cable...

While the motorcycle arm of Husqvarna was sold to BMW in mid 2007, this hasn't stopped the chainsaw maker from creating innovative, eye-catching products such as the Panthera Leo.

The future of eco-sensitive plant eradication is here today.