Small Gas Engines Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2021-2031

The Global Small Gas Engines Market is projected to expand from USD 4.28 Billion in 2025 to USD 5.41 Billion by 2031, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 3.98%. This market encompasses the manufacturing and distribution of low-displacement internal combustion engines, generally under 25 horsepower, which serve as the power source for outdoor machinery like lawn mowers, trimmers, and portable generators. Growth is primarily propelled by persistent demand from residential and commercial landscaping sectors that rely on the high torque and mobility of these engines for grounds maintenance. Furthermore, rising instability in electrical grids has spurred the purchase of backup power generation units, cementing the necessity of these traditional fuel-based engines for dependable off-grid energy solutions.

Conversely, the market faces significant headwinds from an increasingly strict regulatory landscape focusing on noise pollution and exhaust emissions, which is hastening the shift toward battery-electric substitutes. These regulatory pressures pose a threat to the long-standing prevalence of gasoline-powered units as government policies increasingly favor cleaner technologies. Reflecting the market's current status, Comagarden reported that in 2025, the gardening and green maintenance machinery sector in Italy sustained a steady performance, with sales reaching approximately 1.36 million units during the 2024 fiscal year.

Market Drivers

The escalating need for outdoor power equipment and landscaping machinery acts as a primary catalyst for the small gas engines market, especially within the commercial domain where high-torque, durable machines are critical for maintenance. Municipalities and professional contractors continue to depend on gasoline-powered trimmers, turf equipment, and mowers because of their superior power density and the convenience of established refueling infrastructure compared to newer alternatives. The magnitude of this sector is highlighted by the financial results of key industry leaders; for instance, The Toro Company reported in December 2024 that their professional segment generated net sales of $3.56 billion for the fiscal year. This performance illustrates the persistent reliance on combustion-engine equipment for demanding landscape operations despite ongoing market variances.

Concurrently, market momentum is being heavily influenced by the rising demand for portable generators, driven by aging infrastructure and severe weather events that compromise grid reliability. To guarantee operational continuity during extended power outages, both businesses and consumers are rapidly purchasing small gas engine-powered generators, leading to a spike in shipments. This trend is evident in Generac Holdings Inc.'s October 2024 report, which showed third-quarter net sales rising to $1.17 billion, largely due to robust shipments of portable and home standby generators amid increased power outage activity. Furthermore, the immense scale of global usage remains significant, as demonstrated by Honda Motor Co., Ltd., which recorded total global sales of 3.81 million units in its Power Products business for the 2024 fiscal year.

Market Challenges

A substantial barrier to the growth of the Global Small Gas Engines Market is the tightening regulatory framework governing noise pollution and exhaust emissions. Governments are increasingly enforcing rigorous environmental standards that require expensive engine modifications to reduce decibel levels and carbon output, increasing manufacturing costs. Additionally, local ordinances that prohibit the use of loud, gas-combusting equipment in certain areas limit market access and discourage adoption among residential and commercial users. This regulatory environment not only raises production expenses but also actively directs demand toward compliant battery-electric alternatives, thereby diminishing reliance on traditional internal combustion engines.

This reduction in the gas-powered sector is confirmed by recent market data indicating a clear contraction. According to FederUnacoma, in 2025, the market experienced a notable decline in internal combustion machinery, with sales of gas-powered brush cutters and lawnmowers dropping by 5.7% and 6.4%, respectively, compared to the prior period. Furthermore, gas-powered chainsaws saw a sharp decrease in volume of 18.2% during the same timeframe. These statistics indicate that the regulatory drive for sustainability is directly causing a reduction in sales volumes for small gas engines, significantly hindering the overall expansion of the market.

Market Trends

The market is being reshaped by the proliferation of propane-powered and dual-fuel engine options, as consumers increasingly value energy resilience. There is a rapid shift toward engines that can operate on natural gas or liquid propane, offering prolonged fuel stability and cleaner combustion compared to standard gasoline models. This trend is particularly prevalent in the home standby generator sector, where fuel flexibility allows for uninterrupted operation during lengthy power failures without the hassle of frequent refueling. This surge in demand is reflected in Generac Holdings Inc.'s February 2025 report, which noted a 28% increase in residential product sales to $743 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, driven chiefly by high shipments of standby generators amidst elevated outage activity.

Parallel to this, there is a growing emphasis on rental-optimized engine durability features designed to meet the demanding standards of commercial fleet operators. Manufacturers are developing engines with extended maintenance intervals and reinforced components to endure the high-frequency usage common in light industrial and rental settings. This approach prioritizes total cost of ownership over upfront costs, maintaining demand for high-quality internal combustion units in niche sectors like golf cars and utility vehicles. This segment's strength is evidenced by Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.'s February 2025 financial results, where revenue for the Other Products segment rose by 4.1% to 97.6 billion yen for the full fiscal year 2024, supported by strong demand in North America.

Key Players Profiled in the Small Gas Engines Market

• Briggs & Stratton Corporation
• Kohler Co.
• Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
• Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
• Fuji Heavy Industries
• Kubota corporation
• Generac Power Systems
• Yamaha Motor Corp.
• Kawasaki Heavy Industries
• Kubota Corporation

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Small Gas Engines Market has been segmented into the following categories:

Small Gas Engines Market, by Engine Displacement:

• 20-100cc
• 101-450cc
• 451-650cc

Small Gas Engines Market, by Application:

• Gardening
• Industrial
• Construction
• Others

Small Gas Engines Market, by Equipment:

• Lawnmower
• Chainsaw
• Portable Generator
• Pressure Washer
• Others

Small Gas Engines Market, by Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle East & Africa

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Small Gas Engines Market.

Available Customization

The analyst offers customization according to your specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

This product will be delivered within 1-3 business days.