Repsol YPF

Logismarket: Gas forklifts

1.- What is Autogas?

Autogas is a LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) mix, used as an engine fuel, and is the most widely used alternative fuel in the world.

It is a clean and inexpensive fuel which improves air quality quickly and efficiently, as it emits lower amounts of nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons.

2.- How is Autogas used?

There are now two ways in which it can be used in forklifts:

• By Autogas 12 kg net canisters to be set on the forklift. The Autogas is sold in canisters by Repsol Butano through its extensive Distribution Agency Network.
• By exclusive supply installations (direct supply of Augogas by the litre) from a pump to a fixed tank installed on the forklift. The Autogas sold by the litre needs an Autogas supply point on the client's premises, consisting basically of a storage tank, a pump and a supply post for fueling the forklifts.         

The storage tank is a steel container designed to contain Autogas in a low pressure liquid state. These deposits can be either suspended or burried, depending on the area available and the client's needs, setting out the regulation safety measures.

3.- Reasons for choosing Autogas:

• The cost of each forklift is slightly lower than the diesel equivalents.
• It is cheaper to maintain.
• A longer engine life due to less engine wear in combustion.
• Short time for refueling.
• Similar autonomy to that of diesel products and much better compared to electric products.
• Greater respect for the environment. Low pollutant emissions, as regards both regulated and non-regulated pollutants.
• Smooth, silent driving with no vibrations.
• Almost instantaneous response to the demand for effort. More power and a greater moment of force at partial charge, which is its normal operating phase.
  

4.- Advantages compared to other products:

Compared to Diesel forklifts:

• Emissions less polluting.
• Lower forklift cost.
• Lower fuel costs.
• Smoother to drive.
• Longer engine duration.
• Lower maintenance costs.
• Quieter to operate.
• Potential for use in restricted areas on particular fuels.       

Compared to CNG (compressed natural gas):

• Costly refueling infrastructure for CNG.
• Lower installation costs (public works, planning and authorisations).
• Lower forklift cost.
• Lower maintenance costs.
• Greater energy efficiency.
• Difficult CNG quality control.
• Long time for refueling.
• Only available for use in areas with a natural gas grid.      

Compared to electric forklifts:

• Lower investment in installation.
• Lower forklift cost.
• Lower fuel-derived costs.
• Longer forklift duration.
• Greater load capacity.
• Lower maintenance costs.
• Greater energy efficiency.
• Shorter time for refueling (loading). 
• Greater autonomy.      

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