Stihl, best known for their gas engine chainsaws, also has a small selection of cordless outdoor tools and equipment.
From their website, Stihl actually has 4 different lines of homeowner and professional battery systems.
But what they don’t have is a line of cordless power tools – drills, drivers, and the like.
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A reader recently emailed in, asking if I heard anything about “a new Stihl power tool platform.” They pointed to an article that made bold claims about a range of “groundbreaking battery-powered tools,” but with few details or specifics.
The article included an image with 14 drills and impact drivers, plus a couple of tool-shaped objects. But, it all seemed like AI generated nonsense.
The “article” references the 135 series at one point, but Stihl announced that cordless interchangeable tool system in late 2020.
I couldn’t find details or even any hints of a new Stihl cordless battery-powered tool platform. There’s nothing in Stihl’s press releases, social media postings, global postings, or elsewhere.
I’m sure that Stihl, like other gas engine outdoor tool brands, will be investing more heavily in battery-powered tools and systems in the future, and you can bet they’ll be very vocal about it.
But I don’t see them entering the cordless power tool space with drills, drivers, or other such construction-focused tools.
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Maybe Stihl is working on a “groundbreaking new cordless power tools system,” but until I find or see any evidence of this, I’m considering it an AI-generated hoax.
Curtis Cressman
My neighbour owns a STIHL dealership and he was recently telling me that STIHL has big plans in the near future to get into more power hand tools, like drills.
So I’d just wait…. it could be that they’re just better than other brands at keeping leaks from coming out.
Dennis Diez
I am a Stihl Dealer in California. Due to the State’s mandate to reduce emissions and the funding available, we are one of the early adopters of the battery technology, along the same programs with other brands like Makita, Echo and Greenworks. As far as I know, Stihl does not have any plans relayed to us regarding additional line of hand tools beyond landscaping.
Stihl acquired existent products and platforms from a company named Viking on some of their earlier battery products like lawnmowers and blowers. Some of their electrical components are, like their gas powered counterparts, still provided by 3rd party suppliers like Neutrik.
On the other hand, Stihl never told us they’d carry pressure washers and wet/dry vacuum cleaners. It just appeared on the catalog even before we were told it was available.
DustyImp
I have seen the article in question. The site it was posted on had nothing to do with tools or news, the information was all repetitive non-specitfics, and the photo attached upon inspection was dreamlike nonsense where none of the tools made sense – all the hallmarks of an AI generated content. Why it was being posted is the biggest question, guessing ad clicks.
Fowler
This was a big problem in the Honda Element groups for a while, almost once a week someone would post a garbage article about the fabled “2023 Honda Element” with some slightly photoshopped pictures and lazy speculation about what specifications it might have. I’m sure there’s similar stuff out there for any car model, and I guess it makes sense that someone out there is doing the same thing for power tools
Koko The Talking Ape
Worrisome, but especially because this garbage seems designed to deceive people for its own sake. That email might generate some interest in Stihl the brand, but once people check it out, they will discover it’s fake, and will feel cheated or lied to. To what purpose? Maybe it’s to make people distrust everything.
DustyImp
I think the likely reason is to increase traffic on the site hosting that content, for ad revenue
Koko The Talking Ape
Ah, that makes sense, thanks.
But even so, I think the effect is still to create universal distrust.
MM
I haven’t seen the article in question but it doesn’t make any sense to me. There’s no doubt Stihl is working on battery technology for their core product line: OPE. I could believe a new platform for chainsaws or trimmers, maybe even mowers. But generic tools like drills, circ saws, sanders, impact drivers? No, that’s way outside their wheelhouse.
Arthur
I am a STIHL Sales representative in Canada. STIHL has had battery lines for OPE for about 14 years on the retail market. Before that many years of R&D before bringing to the market. In any case, they have kept the two core battery interfaces, AK (Homeowner) and AP (Profesional) the same the entire time. Major differences/advancements have been kept to increasing internal capacity of the batteries, releasing new batteries to take over for lower capacity units and releasing newer more efficient units to take advantage of the batteries of then, now and in the future. They have no plans to change the battery interfaces any time soon and plan to keep them for the foreseeable future which for them is a long time.
MM
I’m sure Stihl has some kind of new tech in the wings. I’m aware of the current platforms but those are not really up to the task of electrifying something like an 880. And with the way the laws are going it’s only a matter of time before things like that will be required to be electric. Just has how the cordless contractor tools have specialized platforms for the big-boy tools I assume Sthil will be working on something similar, it’s simply not practical to electrify tools like that without higher capacity batteries, a higher current capable connnection between the battery and the tool, and some kind of fast-charging technology. I don’t think they will replace what they have, but they will need to add to it, and I’m sure they’re already working on that and have been for years.
But that’s really besides the point. It’s background. My point was that I don’t see them getting into contractor tools any time soon. OPE? Yeah, they will keep R&Ding that just as they have been.
Jim Felt
Maybe somewhere in one of Amazon’s corporate reshuffles they’ve lost a guy (or group) who once would have vetted dangerous tool sellers?
Curtis Cressman
My neighbour owns & operates a STIHL dealership and he was telling me recently that STIHL is looking to branch out more into battery tools, including drills & impacts. I understood him to mean this could happen in the next few years.
So I wouldn’t say it won’t happen… it could be that STIHL is just better at keeping leaks from happening than other major brands. 🙂
fred
From what I know – the Stihl company is still owned by members of the Stihl family who occupy many of the key positions in the company. They may not feel too compelled to share their strategies for the future with the public this side of the Atlantic or even at home in Germany.
Fermunda
I know the article. Google heavily pushes that website in recommended articles. They churn out AI generated photos and videos.
Nathan
So the story I’ve heard is they are recognizing that bans on gas ope are more and more prevalent. They are going to be totally petrol free by 2026 or plan to be. Just like their coconspirator Husqvarna
Perry
Thanks Stuart, I couldn’t find any source from where that would have come from so I thought I’d ask you.
It would be interesting if it were true, since they have a distinct dealer network already in place but it had no point of origin for the information and it would be a huge undertaking for the brand to compete in an already cutthroat market
Stuart
The problem with AI-generated content is that it’s designed to be convincing. A lot of these generators can take a couple of words and create an entire article of hollow meaningless filler. It’s all about the “prompt.”
In this case, the image was suspect, and while the “prompt” behind the article could be true, there’s no public evidence to give it credibility.
I doubt you’re the only one tricked by the “article” – it’s convincing at the surface.
TDome
STIHL USA surveyed their dealers a few years ago about the viability of offering a full line of battery powered construction tools. I would guess the STIHL company in Germany are still exploring options, not necessarily to compete with Milwaukee (TTI) and DeWalt but to better understand the needs of the market segments (arborists, landscapers, grass cutters) that already use their gas powered OPE. STIHL has a line of hand tools made by others…some of their battery line OPE is made by others as mentioned… I suspect the STIHL family moves slowly and deliberately when deciding to expand offerings or vertically integrate.
MFC
I legitimately thought that GTA 26 was AI generated. It is funky looking.
Big Richard
It’s kinda awesome though. Doesn’t have the torque of something like the Milwaukee M12/M18 Hatchets, but it is much more compact and uses a smaller 1/4″ PICCO chain at a higher chain speed, so it cuts smoother especially on smaller branches where the Hatchets chatter too much. But with a 4″ bar, it really is only meant for small branches.
Rich
I had some tree work done recently by real tree guys. They had an arsenal of Stihl (plus one Husq saw). When they were cleaing up this guy brings out the $500 backpack gas blower and cleans an area of my lawn in about 10 seconds. My jaw dropped as the same area would take me “4 hours”. My Worx battery blower is a good one but nothing compared to a real one and I’d ot consdier it anyway. The 4 hours woud be raking and loading and taking breaks.
The Stihl gas blower – they have so many models – “sings”, of course. Not sure if 2cyl or 4cyl but a real desirable tool.
I wonder if I should buy the $500 Stihl or just an Ego blower. (the Stihl would def inflate the ego, haha)
MM
A good blower requires a serious amount of power. The larger Stihl backpack blowers have more powerful engines than their largest chainsaw. There really isn’t a cordless answer to that kind of power yet, though the cordless models do compete with the lower-end blowers.
Rich
Stihl backpack BR 600 $550+. 2cyl. 238mph. 75 db(A), Dealer recommends ethanol=zero. Dealer doubles warranty if I buy the Stihl 2cyl oil, or the premix fuel (2year shelf). Dealer said BR 600 is the power to weight sweet spot so they don’t stock the others. Chuckled at mention of ego battery blower. (they sell to contractor crews)
OT the Stihl battery 4″ prunning saw kit is on sale until Saturday 30th.
MM
They have had the deal where you buy the oil or premix and get double warranty for several years now. I’ve taken advantage of it for several pieces of OPE. The fuel is expensive but it is awesome, I like it for the machines I don’t use very often, I never have to worry about draining the carb for the winter or anything like that, I can leave the tool sit for months and it starts right up.
Rich
MM, cool! Good to know. If I get the BR 600 (will report back) I’ll buy the premix fuel. I appreciate advanced fluids (ie. treatment for the auto, performance fluids) some really work! Oil furnace tank was filled today and I added some hot-shot type stuff. Trying to keep the nozzle and lines clean and optimum. /later
Chris
I saw this article a few weeks ago through Google News and now I can’t find it. I know it was fake because the tools in the photo looked generic, repetitive, and outdated. They were a dark blue and didn’t even have any stihl colors or branding. Complete ai nonsense for clickbait. Page must have been taken down by stihl or by creator