Most electric snow shovels can only handle snow depths up to 6 inches—8 inches if you’re lucky—and lack the power to handle heavier slushy snows. Cordless electric snow shovels, like all cordless outdoor appliances, run on a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. Clearing Widths and DepthsMuch like a snowblower, electric snow shovels are rated by how much snow they can move. Most electric snow shovels move a 10- to 16-inch-wide path of snow. Electric snow shovels can handle snow banks around 4 to 8 inches high, depending on their clearing depth.