The online emissions calculator

A simple automatic calculator has been posted on the Internet to allow fleet managers to test their compliance with the 2009 California Air Resource Board (CARB) requirements.

The self-assessment tool is the brainchild of Simon Walker, regional sales manager with electric forklift manufacturer, Raymond Corporation.

"I created an Excel version of the calculator a few weeks ago but have only just recently been able to get the format into a webpage to share over the web," he says after launching the tool on forkliftaction.com earlier this week.

Walker explains that all the calculations are completely automated so that users entering their data get an instant indication of their fleet's environmental emissions compliance.

Although the site hasn't yet had many takers, Walker says the calculator was recently used to determine the compliance readiness of a large coffee roaster in California.

The company has a fleet of 50 old propane trucks and, using Raymond's assessment, found that "their fleet, if they do nothing, will be five times over the 2009 CARB emissions limit", Walker notes.

"However, if they simply retire 10 of their oldest units and replace them with zero-emissions (electric forklifts) and retrofit 33 of their remaining 'uncontrolled' trucks with catalytic converters, it is estimated they will be in compliance.

"The best news," he adds, "is they have 18 months to incorporate the changes".

Walker hopes the calculator "will take some of the complexity out of the CARB regulations and will lead to greater interest in our zero-emissions Raymond forklifts".

While the online compliance measure is automated and anonymous, respondents who supply their contact details will get a thorough report with "some interpretation and advice on how to become compliant".

Don't be surprised if that advice includes purchasing new equipment from Raymond. As Walker explains, "many people do not know that by simply adding a couple of inexpensive electric pallet trucks, a company's average emissions can be greatly reduced".

"This simple, inexpensive purchase in some cases might bring a fleet into 2009 compliance." Of course, he'll be even happier if they're sourced from his inventory!

The compliance assessment can be found online at www.raymond-forklifts.com/Emissions_calculator.html.