 A Toyota 8FG25 forklift powered by compressed natural gas (CNG). |
Tasmanian natural gas distributor Tas Gas Networks has joined with Tasmanian forklift dealer FRM Toyota to offer compressed natural gas (CNG) for forklifts.
According to FRM Toyota sales executive David Oudman, a company that uses more than 20 forklifts could save more than $100,000 a year by switching to CNG.
CNG not only offers significant cost savings compared with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), but also is a cleaner fuel, with lower emissions of particulate matter and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) than other fossil fuels.
CNG also has the safety advantage of being lighter than air, compared with heavier-than-air LPG, where any leaked gas concentrates at floor level.
Tasmania's Minister for Sustainable Transport and Alternative Energy, Nick McKim, launched the scheme, which includes development of a fast-fill CNG facility.
"CNG may already be supplied to many sites through the natural gas distribution network, so vehicles can be filled from an on-site compressor unit connected directly to that supply.
"This alleviates the handling of LPG bottles, along with the OH&S issues and potential supply issues," says Oudman, adding that the use of CNG as a complete vehicle fuel is rapidly increasing.
"More than 12 million vehicles worldwide already operate on CNG, including more than 2,500 buses in Australia's metropolitan area."