Professionals throughout the supply chain industry are working to decrease emissions and achieve more sustainable operations—and Earth Day brings a heightened awareness to these efforts. For material handling professionals, taking a closer look at the equipment and energy sources used to move products day in and day out is an important first step. Propane-powered forklifts offer users a cleaner and reliable option for their material handling needs.

Low-emissions Energy

The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) contracted the Gas Technology Institute (GTI) and the Nexight Group to analyze the comparative emissions of propane in key markets, including forklifts. The study examined greenhouse gas emissions, hydrocarbons, and criteria pollutant emissions including nitrogen oxide (NOx) and sulfur oxide (SOx). It revealed the emissions advantages of propane forklifts compared with other energy sources. Modern propane-powered forklifts notably:

• Reduce SOx emissions by up to 76 percent compared with electric forklifts powered by the electric grid.
• Result in 97 percent fewer NOx emissions compared with diesel forklifts.
• Produce 97 percent fewer hydrocarbon emissions compared with diesel forklifts.

Versatile Operation

No matter the job or location, propane forklifts provide powerful, reliable performance. Electric forklifts can’t carry the weight of large jobs, and diesel forklifts aren’t the best fit for smaller tasks.

Because of propane’s clean, low-emissions profile, 68 percent of propane forklifts are safe to operate both outdoors and in properly ventilated indoor environments, significantly boost productivity.

Increased Efficiency

Material handling equipment, and the energy sources used to power it, can have a significant impact on a company’s overall sustainability plan. Facility managers who manage forklift fleets list capital costs as one of the most important factors when purchasing forklifts, according to a PERC survey. Capital costs of propane forklifts can be 30 percent lower than those of electric. And propane forklifts consistently have a lower total cost of ownership than those powered by electricity or diesel. 

A single electric battery can take a few hours to recharge, which creates downtime and less productivity. Fleets with propane forklifts can drastically reduce downtime for refueling. With propane you can simply remove the empty cylinder, securely attach the full one, and get back to work. 

Propane is the best choice for businesses interested in reducing their carbon footprint and increasing their productivity. Propane forklifts’ ability to work around the clock and reduce emissions while keeping costs in check are just a few reasons why business owners count on them to get the job done, not only on Earth Day, but all year long.