The market for natural gas as fuel for vehicles has grown significantly in recent years in Europe. Especially from the industrial sector there is an increasing demand to use this alternative fuel. Nissan Forklift now offers the possibility to equip the DX ECO-X series with technology that have the truck run on natural gas as fuel.

ADVANTAGES OF NATURAL GAS
The advantages of using natural gas as fuel for forklift trucks:

- Low fuel costs
- Cleanest exhaust emissions for an internal combustion truck.
- Truck can be used inside buildings.
- No expensive LPG bottle exchange.
- The driver does not need to change LPG bottles.
- Quick and easy filling. (depending on the type of filling station)
- The Nissan can be converted back to run on LPG for a good residual value.

NATURAL GAS SUPPLY

In most European countries the supply of natural gas is well organized, the gas offered by the utilities can be used as fuel for the Nissan forklift truck. Costs per operating hour will have to be calculated to see if it is profitable to use natural gas. The calculation should take into account the cost of modifying the trucks, the filling station and the cost of the gas itself. For companies that already use gas in their primary business process, the cost advantage can be substantial.

ENGINE TECHNOLOGY

Nissan Forklift has developed together with IMPCO Technologies a modification to the Nissan K21 and K25 LPG engines to use natural gas as fuel. The current Nissan fuel injection system remains will be used and a special gas tank (CNG module) is installed. The CNG module is a patented and CE-PED certified gas tank. All high pressure components are mounted on the module - making it easy accessible for inspection and service. Also no high-pressure components are fitted under the engine hood.

THE NATURAL GAS FILLING STATION

Contrary to LPG, natural gas is always supplied and stored in its gas form. To be able to drive long enough on one full gas tank, the natural gas will be stored under very high pressure on the forklift truck. The operator will be able to fill the tank, and depending on the type of filling station this can be done in a matter of minutes. Filling stations can be categorized in two types: slow-fill and quick-fill. The truck fleet size and the amount of operating hours decide what type of station is best.

THE PRICE ADVANTAGE

Companies that already own a natural gas filling station or use the gas in their core business can easily achieve a reduction in operating costs for their forklift trucks by using it as fuel for their forklift trucks. The truck itself will be more expensive because of the CNG module, but the low fuel price will make the operating costs per hour lower over time.

Companies without any experience with natural gas can also gain an advantage as long as the different factors are taken into account that will decide if a cost reduction is possible: truck fleet size, fuel costs, operating hours and filling station investments. Interested companies can contact Nissan Forklift for a detailed advice.