Ford’s Kansas City Assembly Plant is celebrating the production of the first mass-produced bi-fuel F-150 pickup truck as the first units roll off the production line. 2014 Ford F-150 with 3.7-liter V6 engine is available with a factory-installed, gaseous-fuel prep package that allows it to run on CNG/LPG and petrol.
The package installed on the engine to make it liquid gas ready includes hardened valves, valve seats, and pistons and ring, as well as the tank and the necessary pipe work. The CNG-Powered Ford F-150 with 3.7-liter V6 has an EPA-estimated rating of 23 mpg on the highway and 19 mpg combined, which means it has a range of more than 750 miles on combined tanks of gasoline and CNG.
The CNG/LPG engine prep kit itself is quite cheap at just $315. It’s the fuel tanks, fuel lines and unique fuel injectors, and of course the fitment, that is pricey. They have to be supplied by a Ford Qualified Vehicle Modifier, and depending on the fuel tank capacity, cost between $6,000 to $9,500.
It should pay dividends at the fuel pumps though. CNG sells for an average of $2.10 per gallon of gasoline equivalent, and is as low as $1 in some states. What’s more, because CNG produces less carbon dioxide, these vehicles enjoy substantial tax incentives. Nearly 20 states – including Oklahoma, Texas, Pennsylvania and Florida – offer or soon will provide tax incentives or rebates for CNG-converted vehicles. Fleet users, especially, will benefit from these incentives big time.