Low cost low pollution

When it comes to powering forklift truck (FLT) fleets, logistics professionals have three options: liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), diesel and electricity. Traditionally, diesel has been the most popular – partly because diesel-powered FLT engines have a reputation for durability. However, as a fuel, diesel is known for being costly, polluting and unsuitable for indoor use, which are key considerations for any commercial or industrial operation. As such, the market has seen a noticeable shift away from diesel in recent years, with many in the industry now favouring LPG or electricity for their fleet.  

In fact, today the FLT market is one of the largest and fastest-growing segments of our LPG offering at Flogas – accounting for a significant proportion of our commercial cylinder sales volumes. So what are the benefits of LPG over its diesel and electric counterparts? First and foremost, financial savings. The upfront costs associated with LPG-powered trucks are much lower than with electric ones. With LPG, there’s no need to purchase costly batteries and recharging equipment, construct recharging bays (which can be expensive and take up valuable space), or pay for battery disposal. In comparison to diesel, an LPG-powered FLT typically costs far less to run, delivering ongoing savings for your business.  

Financials aside, LPG is a much cleaner-burning fuel than diesel, meaning engines will generally last longer. LPG-powered engines are also significantly quieter than diesel engines, minimising noise pollution. And unlike electricity (which can be unreliable and susceptible to power cuts), LPG offers a consistent supply all year round. This means you don’t have to worry about extreme weather conditions interrupting your operations. While electric FLTs require recharging (which can result in unproductive downtime), refuelling LPG-powered FLTs is quick and hassle-free. This is especially true of some of the latest specialist products coming to market. Our new Gaslight cylinders, for example, are almost half the weight of traditional LPG cylinders, making handling and transportation easy – yet their toughened plastic and fibreglass composition means they’re also extremely robust.

Last but not least, LPG-powered FLTs offer a level of versatility that neither diesel nor electric models can truly rival. This is because they typically have a better power-to-weight ratio and more responsive engines, meaning they can adapt to tackle a variety of difficult tasks. What’s more, unlike diesel FLTs (which can’t be used inside) and electric FLTs (which aren’t suitable for prolonged periods of outdoor use), LPG-powered FLTs are ideal for both indoor and outdoor jobs. Importantly, this means your staff only need to be trained to operate one type of FLT, not two.

Cylinder launch

Flogas Britain launched ‘Gaslight’, an innovative composite LPG cylinder, which comes with manual handling advantages.

Developed initially for use in forklifts, and made from toughened plastic and fibre glass, the Gaslight cylinders are almost half the weight of traditional LPG cylinders yet are said to be more robust and capable of sustaining greater pressures.

Ergonomically designed, and with a combined gas and cylinder weight of 20kg, the Hexagon Ragasco manufactured cylinders fall within the European Manual Handling Operations Regulations, which prohibit operators lifting anything over 25kg above elbow height.

In addition, their translucent appearance allows far superior fuel visibility, so operators know exactly when to refill them.

Head of cylinder sales at Flogas, Mark Whittaker said: “This is the first time in decades the commercial cylinder market has seen innovation and new technology, so we’re very proud to be at the heart of it.

“We have already seen huge successes with the Gaslight cylinders in the domestic market, and so it was a natural step to roll the cylinders out to the commercial market – particularly within the logistics industry, where manual handling is such a hot topic.

“The expansion of our range to include the commercial Gaslight cylinders fits our strategy of being an innovative energy provider at the forefront of new technology, and cements our position as LPG market leaders.

He concluded: “As experts in energy, we’re committed to providing our customers with bespoke, turnkey fuel solutions that really make sense for their businesses, and we’re looking forward to seeing how these cylinders revolutionise the FLT sector.”