United States Portable Generator Market Size Analysis - Market Share, Forecast Trends and Outlook Report (2025-2034)

United States Portable Generator Market Growth

The growth of the United States portable generator market is driven by high demand of uninterrupted electricity supply for powering HVAC systems in households, computer and electronic equipment in offices, and heavy machinery in industries. According to the US Energy Information Administration, heating and cooling systems accounted for 50% of electricity consumption in the residential sector. Similarly, the share of five segments, namely, computers, office equipment, refrigeration, space cooling, lighting, and ventilation exceeded 50% of the total electricity consumption in the commercial sector. These segments require uninterrupted power supply for convenient and efficient operations, and hence are driving the demand growth for portable generators as an alternative power source.

Key Trends and Recent Developments

Rising electricity consumption, frequent power outages, growing interest in outdoor camping and adoption of dual fuel options are accelerating the United States portable generator market value.

January 2024

US-based off-grid portable generator supplier Ecoflow unveiled its new product Delta Pro Ultra, a residential plug-and-play generator system designed for regular use as well as for serving the purpose of alternative power backup. The system, with wattage starting from 6 kWh and extendable to 90 kWh, provided enough electricity to power an entire household for two whole days to up to a month. Additionally, it used 5.6 kW to 16.8 kW of solar input, allowing up to 42,400 Watts of solar panel connetions.

May 2023

Generac Power Systems, Inc., a leading manufacturer of power products in the US announced two new additions to its GP line of portable generators – the GP15500EFI and GP18000EFI. These were considered the highest-wattage portable generators in the series so far. Despite being compact and portable, they were large enough to potentially provide power backup to the whole household when paired with a Generac HomeLink manual transfer switch. This made them ideal for home renters who cannot install permanent standby generator systems due to restrictions from owners and landlords.

October 2022

US-based power and technology leader, Cummins Inc. announced the launch of lightweight and portable Onan Power Stations, providing clean, off-grid power suitable for a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities including camping, tailgating and RVing. They comprised lithium-ion batteries that could be charged by Onan solar panels. Besides, the models were silent, fume-free, and low maintenance which reduced their overall cost of operations.

January 2021

Atlas Copco launched two new lightweight, compact, and efficient inverter power generators, the P 2000i, and P 3500i, which offered a reliable source of power to contractors at construction sites. These were the latest additions to the company’s entire portfolio of portable generator products. Moreover, the generators used advanced electronics and magnets to ensure higher efficiency. Their inverter parts produced high-voltage multi-phase AC power which was converted to DC. Finally, the DC power was inverted back to clean AC predictable power at the required voltage and frequency. The cycle ensured that the final electrical output was suitable and harmonious as per the usage requirements.

Rising Electricity Consumption is Fuelling the Growth of United States Portable Generator Market

Electricity consumption in the United States is rising continuously owing to industrialisation, technological advancements, and residential use. According to the US Energy Information Administration, the total electricity end-use consumption in the country grew by 3.2% between 2021 and 2022, of which the residential, commercial, and industrial sectors accounted for 2.6%, 4.7%, and 2.0% respectively. These values are expected to increase in the coming years owing to the growing use of electronic devices, heating and cooling systems, as well as smart home appliances in households, computers and office equipment in commercial settings, and electric vehicles in the transportation segment.

Frequent Power Outages is Propelling the Portable Generator Demand Growth

Extreme weather conditions are leading to frequent power outages and blackout events. These events usually last for long hours, increasing the requirement for a reliable alternative power source. For instance, a winter storm in December 2022 lasted for almost 4 days and affected nearly 33.33 million people and over 6 million retail customers across the United States. Similarly, a power outage caused by hurricane Ian in September 2022 lasted for 9 days and affected over 9 million people in the country. Portable generators are ideal power alternatives in such emergencies and are hence in high demand in states which experience harsh winters and are prone to natural calamities, thus supporting the United States portable generator market.

Growing Outdoor and Recreational Activities Creating New Portable Generator Demand

The growing interest in outdoor activities such as camping, RVing, and tailgating, coupled with a flexible work-from-home culture is creating new market opportunities for portable generators in the United States. People are increasingly looking for off-grid power solutions to support their outdoor living and recreational needs, such as powering small household appliances, charging electronic devices and gadgets, as well as meeting heating and cooling needs. For instance, Geneforce portable generators, manufactured in New York have garnered a huge market in the US, especially for outdoor shows and events. Its noise reduction, automated start, and solar powered features make it a popular choice among campers and event organisers.

Adoption of Dual Fuel Portable Generators is Becoming a Prevalent Trend of United States Portable Generator Market

Dual-fuel portable generators are in high demand in United States portable generator market owing to the flexibility they allow for fuel use. Customers can easily switch between gas and liquid fuels as per their suitability and convenience. This comfort makes portable generators ideal for multiple applications which require an uninterrupted power supply, especially in remote locations where access to fuel is limited. Realising their growing demand, key market players are increasingly investing in the development of dual fuel generators with advanced features eyeing future growth prospects in the United States power generation market. For instance, in May 2023, Generac Power Systems Inc., a major supplier of power products in the United States launched its new Generac GP7500E dual-fuel portable generator with easy fuel switching between gasoline and liquid propane fuel with just the turn of a dial.

United States Portable Generator Market Trends

Use of Solar Power Contributing to Long-Term Growth of United States Portable Generator Market Revenue

Solar power is increasingly being opted as a power generation source for portable generators due to multiple benefits. These include zero carbon emissions, negligible fuel costs, less noise pollution, easy maintenance, and advancements in battery storage technology. These generators capitalise on the ample amount of daylight received across regions in the United States and the excess energy storage option available to provide a continuous power supply when sunlight is limited, impacting the United States portable generator market.

Moreover, they contribute to meeting the carbon emission reduction targets at the national and corporate levels.  Realising their several advantages and increasing demand from eco-conscious consumers, key market players are venturing into their research and development with significant investments. Ecoflow, for instance, a well-known American brand specialising in the development of renewable-energy-based portable generators, launched DELTA 2 portable generators in 2023, an upgradation of its previous DELTA Max generators whose charging capability can be extended to off-grid sources such as Ecoflow's range of portable solar panels. Such efforts are expected to enhance the long-term growth and expansion of the portable generator market in United States.

United States Portable Generator Industry Segmentation

“United States Portable Generator Market Report and Forecast 2024-2032” offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:

Market Breakup by Fuel Type

• Gas
• Diesel
• Others

Market Breakup by Power Rating

• Below 5 kW
• 5-10 kW
• Above 10 kW

Market Breakup by Application

• Residential
• Commercial
• Industrial
• Infrastructure

Market Breakup by Region

• New England
• Mideast
• Great Lakes
• Plains
• Southeast
• Southwest
• Rocky Mountain
• Far West

United States Portable Generator Market Share

Gas-based Portable Generators Dominate the Market Owing to Increasing Production of Dry Natural Gas

As per the United States portable generator market analysis, gas-based portable generators are dominating the market owing to the high production of natural gas in the country. According to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), the country produced approximately 3.8 million cubic feet of natural gas in July 2024, a 0.1 million rise from the previous month, leading to an increased supply of gas-based portable generators. Additionally, new developments in the public and private sectors are encouraging a rapid shift to cleaner gas fuels such as hydrogen, aiming at market expansion and long-term sustainability. For instance, Hitachi Energy, a major supplier of portable generators in the US market launched its new HyFlexTM hydrogen power generator in April 2024, enclosed in an easily transportable container and creates minimal noise during operations.

Besides, the increasing production of biodiesel and renewable diesel is driving the market for diesel-based portable generators. Government estimates suggest that the combined production of both these fuels reached an all-time high to 3.1 billion gallons in the marketing year 2022-23, with renewable diesel surpassing the production of biodiesel for the first time at 2.3 billion gallons. Growing environmental concerns are boosting their production further, creating new opportunities for the diesel portable generator market.

Growing Tourism Sector is Driving the Demand for Below 5 kW Portable Generators in the United States

The growing tourism sector in the country is driving demand for below 5kW portable generators, particularly for outdoor recreational activities thereby aiding the United States portable generator market growth. According to the US Travel Association, short-term rental demand in the country grew by 1% in 2024 whereas group room demand grew by 9% in the top 25 tourism markets during the same period. Since portable generators have a light and compact design, they can suitably be carried to, installed, and used in these rooms as their optimum output could power lights, operate small household appliances such as mini refrigerators and HVAC systems, and can be utilised for charging portable electronic devices.

High Electricity Consumption in Residential and Commercial Sectors Leading to United States Portable Generator Market Expansion

High consumption of electricity and the requirement of uninterrupted power supply in the residential and commercial sectors are raising the demand for portable generators in the United States. According to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), in 2023, the combined end-use energy consumption by the residential and commercial sectors accounted for about 27.6% of total U.S. end-use energy consumption. On considering the electrical system energy losses as well, this value grew to 36.9% during the same period. With increasing residential construction and growing urbanisation in the United States, the demand for uninterrupted power supply is expected to rise, further propelling the growth of the United States portable generator market.

Additionally, the growing construction sector of the US is increasing the electricity demand for infrastructure, propelling the need for portable generators as a reliable power backup solution. According to the Association of General Contractors, USA, the country had more than 9,19,000 construction establishments in the 1st quarter of 2023 and was estimated to construct nearly USD 2.1 trillion worth of infrastructures each year. Besides, the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) stated that the construction segment accounted for 8% of total US electricity consumption in the industrial sector in 2022. As the electricity demand grows further at construction sites, the United States portable generator market is expected to witness a sharp surge driven particularly in the construction segment.

United States Portable Generator Market Regional Analysis

New England’s Harsh Winters and Growing Electricity Consumption Leading to Increased Portable Generator Consumption in United States

New England leads the portable generator market share in the United States owing to rising demand from households and businesses as well as the growing preference for the use of sustainable and renewable power sources. According to ISO New England, an independent non-profit organisation that manages high-voltage electricity for six New England states, the overall count of retail electricity customers in the region is almost 7.5 million, i.e., 50% of the region's total population. Further, the annual energy served by the organisation in 2023 was 114,726 gigawatts-hours, indicating the growing demand for generators in the region.

Furthermore, New England’s harsh winters are frequently causing power outages due to snowstorms and ice accumulation. As per ISO’s forecast, winter’s peak electricity demand in New England is expected to increase from 20,308 MW in 2024-2025 to 26,768 MW in 2033-2034. A major share will be held by heating electrification systems which will contribute to 3,604 MW electricity consumption in 2033-2034.

Competitive Landscape

United States portable generator market key players are consistently acquiring new brands, especially those established in the power generation domain, to expand their product portfolio and business operations across the region. Additionally, a shift to renewable energy-based solutions such as solar, renewable diesel, biofuel, and natural gas for powering portable generators, is ensuring their long-term growth.

Atlas Copco AB

Based in Sweden, Atlas Copco AB was founded in 1873. Atlas Copco AB is a leading global supplier of industrial and power equipment which majorly includes air compressors, vacuum solutions, air treatment systems, power tools such as generators, construction and mining equipment.

Caterpillar Inc.

Caterpillar, founded in 1925 and headquartered in Texas, United States is the world's top producer of industrial gas turbines, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, diesel-electric locomotives, and mining and construction equipment. Currently, the prominent brands of the company dedicated to the generators segment include Cat, FG Wilson, Solar Turbines, and Perkins.

Siemens AG

Siemens AG is a multinational conglomerate with established businesses in several industries including healthcare, finance, construction, industrial automation, electrical and electronics, sustainable energy and automobiles. Founded in 1847, the company operates through 5 principal divisions out of which Siemens Smart Infrastructure provides sustainable and renewable energy solutions through off-grid electrical equipment such as solar-powered air conditioners, solar-powered generators, smart safety monitoring devices and controls.

Cummins Inc.

US-based Cummins Inc. is a pioneer in developing engines and power-generating systems across the world. The company's five business segments—Components, Engine, Distribution, Power Systems, and Accelera by Cummins—are backed by a vast service and support network in addition to global manufacturing. Its portfolio of products includes generators, alternators, transfer switches, battery energy storage systems, and browse generators.

Other key players considered in the United States portable generator market report are Honeywell, International Inc., Yanmar Holdings Co., Ltd. (Himoinsa S.L.), Generac Holdings Inc., Briggs & Stratton, LLC, Honda Motor Co. Ltd., DuroMax Power Equipment, Wacker Neuson SE, among others.