Electric chainsaws are a much newer tool than their predecessor, the gasoline powered variety which have been used in the logging industry since the 1920's. Chainsaws that are powered by electric motors are favored by many for a variety of reasons. Compared to the gasoline chainsaws, they are much lighter, smaller, and easier to manage which make the electric model much easier to use for the average person using them for yard work then the gas powered saw. Another great advantage to the electric chainsaw over the gas powered saws is that they are much more environmentally friendly as they do not put out the same emissions. The main disadvantage is power, gas powered chainsaws can be much more powerful than the electric model.
An electric chainsaw is much safer than the gasoline powered saw. They have a much lower risk for the possibly life and limb threatening kickback which occurs when the saw's bar jerks back towards the user after the end hits an obstruction. The electric saw also uses much less power than the gasoline chainsaw and this is a big part of why the kick back is at a lower risk. A disadvantage of the gas chainsaw is that you have to let the engine cool before refueling it. With the electric saw, you never have to refuel it which can save time. Electric chainsaws are much less noisy than gas powered saws. This makes them great for neighborhood use. Finally, the electric chainsaw is much easier to store as there is not the same gas and oil which would need to be drained before storing in a vertical position.
Cordless Dewalt
There are some downsides of the electric chainsaw compared to its gas powered option. Then biggest limitation to using electric saws is their lack of juice. A two cycle gasoline powered engine puts out much more power which comes in handy when it is time to fell some heavy loads. Gasoline powered chainsaws give more options in where you can use them as the electric saw is limited in where it can go because of its power cord. An electric chainsaw is limited in where it can be used by the length of its cord. Lastly, the special safety designs of the electric chainsaw make it more difficult to adjust, clean, or oil the parts of the chainsaw.
So before you choose which chainsaw is best for you, be sure to consider how you plan on using it. For light to medium use, especially in neighborhoods, the electric model might be right for you. If you plan on using your chainsaw for potentially larger trees and need to be able to use it in areas where there is no plug nearby, then you may want to choose a gas powered chainsaw.