FEATURE FOCUS: OIL & GAS
BUSTING THE MOST POPULAR FORKLIFT TRUCK FUEL MYTHS
reductions could be integral to organisations under pressure to focus on more sustainable business practices. As such, diesel is no longer seen as the
‘go-to’ fuel and is quickly falling out of fashion due to its impact on air quality. This is especially true for fleet managers that are investing in new FLTs or those with a lease renewal coming up.
by Andy Kellett, FLT specialist at Calor H
ere, Kellett discusses some of the most popular myths surrounding
fuels for forklift trucks (FLTs).
MYTH #1: ELECTRIC IS THE MOST ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY FUEL As the take-up of BioLPG – a renewable fuel – continues, the assumption that electric is the greenest fuel available for FLTs is being challenged more and more. BioLPG is created from ethically sourced feedstocks, and organisations even receive a certificate from the Green Gas Certification Scheme to demonstrate how clean the fuel is, which can then be used as part of a business’ sustainability credentials. The fact that BioLPG is chemically
identical to LPG is another big draw for fleet managers, as there is no requirement to invest in new equipment or infrastructure. BioLPG is simply a drop-in fuel for those already using LPG. For fleet managers with sustainability goals – which is becoming an increasingly key concern, as big brands across the supply chain choose and champion other businesses that are as equally eco-conscious as them – BioLPG is a quick and hassle-free way to help meet these green ambitions. The exact reduction in CO2 emissions
from BioLPG depends on the blend of the fuel with LPG. It offers minimum carbon savings of at least 20 per cent, and potentially up to 32 per cent. This is
6 JUNE/JULY 2019 | IRISH MANUFACTURING
based on a blend of 40 per cent BioLPG and 60 per cent conventional LPG. The potential carbon savings are even greater if a higher BioLPG blend is used.
MYTH #2: DIESEL IS THE TRIED-AND- TESTED ‘SAFE CHOICE’ Diesel has long been the ‘go-to’ fuel for FLTs. Historically, a diesel engine truck has been superior to electric models, owing to its lifting capabilities. They were also perceived historically as able to operate well on gradients, and generally offer reasonable maintenance and servicing costs. However, emissions and air quality are
big areas where diesel struggles, and this is fast becoming the main reason why fleet managers are deciding to source alternative fuels. While exhaust fumes and diesel particulates may be able to easily escape to the atmosphere when used outside, the pressure for greener, more environmentally-friendly FLT fuels is accelerating. Let’s use an example to demonstrate
just how dramatic a difference the switch from diesel to LPG can make to a fleet’s emission levels. For a fleet of 20 diesel FLTs in operation for 14 hours a day, six days a week, these would produce annual CO2 emissions totalling 524 tonnes. Should they switch to BioLPG, however, these emissions fall to just under 300 tonnes, representing a reduction of over 200 tonnes, or 43 per cent. These
Below: Andy Kellett debunks the myths surrounding fuels for fork lift trucks
MYTH #3: ELECTRIC FLTS ARE MORE COST-EFFECTIVE THAN OTHER MODELS Many believe that electric is the most cost-effective fuel for an FLT fleet. For example, electric models have the option of recharging a battery overnight on a low rate tariff, and because there are fewer moving parts than with engine-powered alternatives, maintenance costs are lower too. However, there are many hidden outlays that operators do not account for, resulting in higher than expected costs. For starters, electric FLTs have a much
higher initial purchase price, because of the battery and charger required, so immediately there is a greater capital cost when choosing electric. Then, electric-powered FLTs are unavailable to use while the battery is being recharged, which fleet managers can overcome by purchasing additional batteries, but this adds even further costs. Space must also be found for the battery charging station, which can add increased build costs too. As electric FLTs cannot be used while they are recharging, this can impact on productivity levels and potential profits. In contrast, LPG FLTs are affordable to
buy, downtime is reduced because there is no need to recharge a battery as with electric models, and they only take a few minutes to refuel. Steeper gradients are also not a problem, and the performance characteristics – such as travel speeds, rate of acceleration and lift speeds – of LPG-fuelled trucks are usually superior to electric models, due to a better power- to-weight ratio and more responsive engines. These improved efficiencies lead to greater productivity, demonstrating how LPG can be a more cost-effective solution than electric for FLTs overall. Calor is now offering BioLPG to FLT customers, providing all the benefits of LPG with a green and renewable fuel that is in line with sustainability targets.
Calor
www.calor.co.uk/flt
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