Ford began rolling CNG/LPG-capable pickup trucks this month, becoming the first manufacturer to offer a natural gas half-ton pickup truck in North America. The 2014 Ford F-150 3.7-liter V6 can be purchased with a factory-installed, gaseous-fuel prep package that includes hardened valves, valve seats, and pistons and rings so that the engine can operate on either natural gas or gasoline through separate fuel systems.
Bi-fuel engine packages in CNG or LPG are available for the F-150 in this package, allowing for over 750 miles of combined range (CNG-gasoline) with maximum tank sizes selected. The 2014 F-150 gets an EPA rating of 23 mpg on the highway and the equivalent of that with natural gas. The upgrade package runs $6,000 to $9,500, depending on tank capacities and type.
By this time next year, Ford will have eight commercial vehicles with a gaseous-prep option:
- Transit Connect van and wagon
- Transit van, wagon, cutaway and chassis cab
- E-Series van, wagon, cutaway and stripped chassis
- F-Series Super Duty pickup and F-350 chassis cab
- F-Series Super Duty chassis cab (F-450, F-550)
- F-650 medium-duty truck
- F53 and F59 stripped chassis
- 2014 F-150 light-duty pickup
Ford will sell 15,000 CNG/LPG prepared vehicles this year, up 25 percent from last, and will sell many more than that next year.
