Tuesday, January 20, 2026

MAKITA UNVEILS THE NEXT EVOLUTION IN GAS ENGINE REPLACEMENT WITH NEW 40V max XGT® MOTOR UNIT

New 40V max XGT® Motor delivers up to 50cc gas engine performance, allowing contractors to replace more gas equipment with battery-powered

January 20, 2026, Las Vegas, NV – Makita® U.S.A., Inc., the innovation leader in cordless tools and power equipment, announced today the launch of the 40V max XGT® Motor Unit – a fully electric, drop-in solution engineered to deliver the performance of 25cc to 50cc gas engines. Designed with seamless OEM integration in mind, the XGT Motor Unit provides original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with a faster path to electrification across a wide range of commercial applications.

The new 40V max XGT® Motor allows OEMs to electrify products such as power screeds, backpack vibrators, power trowels, winches, water pumps, and more. It’s built on a straightforward concept: Remove the gas engine, bolt on a Makita-powered motor, and instantly gain access to the same battery platform that powers over 170 XGT® tools and equipment.

Supporting the Industry’s Shift to Electrification

“When we launched XGT, our vision was clear — give our customers a higher-powered platform that supports both tools and equipment, all on one slide-style battery,” said Mario Lopez, director of product, Makita U.S.A., Inc. “Over the years, we’ve delivered solutions that replaced cords, gas, and air on the jobsite. But we saw an opportunity to expand even further into gas engine replacement.”

“Rather than build equipment from scratch like some of our competitors, we’re offering a smarter path: Replace the engine. Give OEMs a seamless, ready-to-integrate electrification solution.”

Built for OEM Integration

Makita’s focus is on partnering with leading OEMs who want to electrify quickly — without compromising design or performance.

“We believe in letting OEMs do what they do best: build great equipment,” said Lopez. “Our role is to provide the motor, battery, and charging innovation to help them get to market faster.”

The XGT® Motor Unit is engineered for drop-in compatibility, with a universal mounting pattern and flexible configuration options for RPM, throttle response, and power switch location. It supports three industry-standard drive types — clutch shaft, straight shaft, and threaded spindle — and carries an IPX5 rating, making it suitable for tough jobsite conditions.

Part of the Expanding XGT Ecosystem

Unlike standalone motor systems, the XGT® Motor Unit is powered by the same 40V max XGT® platform that now includes over 170 Makita tools and equipment. This gives OEMs a proven, widely adopted battery system — and gives contractors a simpler, cleaner, and more compatible jobsite solution.

With reduced noise, lower maintenance and zero emissions, the XGT® Motor Unit is a step forward in performance and sustainability.

North America First – Global Expansion to Follow

The XGT® Motor Unit will launch in Summer 2026 in North America as part of a broader global electrification initiative led by Makita. Additional regions will follow based on OEM integration timelines and market demand.

About Makita

Makita is a worldwide manufacturer of industrial power tools, outdoor power equipment and cleaning solutions, and offers a wide range of industrial accessories. Makita U.S.A., Inc. is located in La Mirada, California, and operates an extensive distribution network throughout the U.S.A. With over 50 years in the United States and over 100 years worldwide, Makita utilizes experience and expertise to manufacture best-in-class solutions. For more information about Makita U.S.A. call (800)4-MAKITA or visit makitatools.com. Find Makita on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and X @makitatools.

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Wayne Hart
Sr. Communications Manager
Makita U.S.A., Inc.
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