The 2014 Ford F-150 will offer a gaseous-fuel prep option on the 3.7-liter V6 engine, allowing it to run on compressed natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas.
Ford says the F-150 will be the only CNG/LPG-capable half-ton pickup truck in the market and the eighth vehicle in its range available to run on CNG/LPG. The Blue Oval stated that it expects to sell more than 15,000 CNG/LPG-prepped vehicles this year.
Available this fall, the factory-installed gaseous-fuel prep package includes hardened valves, valve seats, pistons and rings in order to operate on either natural gas or gasoline through separate fuel systems. The CNG/LPG engine package allows the 3.7-liter V6 F-150 to cover 750 miles (1,207 kilometers) on one tank of gas, depending on the selected tank size. Fuel economy for the F-150 with the CNG/LPG option is rated at 23 mpg highway (10.2 l/100 km).
The CNG/LPG engine prep from the factory costs approximately $315 (€237) but the customer also has to pay between $7,500 (€5,645) and $9,500 (€7,170) for the fuel tanks, fuel lines and unique fuel injectors. Costs vary depending on fuel tank capacity and the parts can be installed at a Ford Qualified Vehicle Modifier.
CNG sells for an average of $2.11 (€1.59) per gallon of gasoline equivalent, and is as low as $1 (€0.75) in some parts of the Unites States. Therefore, savings over unleaded regular fuel, which averages $3.66 (€2.75) per gallon across the U.S., can be significant.
However, the truck’s purchase price is also significantly bigger compared to the standard gasoline model. Jon Coleman, Ford fleet sustainability and technology manager is optimistic that with the money saved using CNG, “customers could start to see payback on their investment in as little as 24 to 36 months.” Obviously, that depends on mileage.
The engine and powertrain have the same Ford limited warranty of five years or 60,000 miles (96,560km), while the modifier is responsible for the system component warranty.
By Dan Mihalascu
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