2016 F-150 with Class-Exclusive Compressed Natural Gas, Propane Capability Grows Ford’s Alternative Fuel Leadership

• Responding to customer requests, 2016 Ford F-150 with the 5.0-liter V8 engine will offer a gaseous-fuel prep option, making it the only light-duty pickup capable of running on compressed natural gas or propane
  
  
• Ford has sold more than 57,000 vehicles prepped to run on clean, low-cost compressed natural gas and propane – seven times more than all other major U.S. automakers combined – since 2009
  

• Ford has the broadest portfolio of natural gas and propane offerings, including 2016 F-150 and Super Duty trucks, and Transit and Transit Connect vans and wagons
  

• Ford Qualified Vehicle Modifiers offer a wide variety of CNG options to help customers find the best, most cost-effective solution to their diverse operating needs
  

Ford, America’s truck leader, will offer the 2016 F-150 with an available gaseous-fuel prep package that enables 5.0-liter V8-powered models to run on clean, low-cost compressed natural gas or propane, making Ford the only manufacturer of a CNG/propane-capable half-ton pickup.

The 2016 Ford F-150 – the toughest, smartest, most capable F-150 ever – with 5.0-liter V8 engine will be available to order this summer with a factory-installed, gaseous-fuel prep package that includes upgraded intake and exhaust valves and valve seats to ensure the engine performs to Built Ford Tough standards customers expect.

“We surveyed customers likely to use natural gas or propane, and 72 percent told us they want to have these alternative-fuel capabilities available on F-150 with the 5.0-liter V8 engine,” said Jon Coleman, Ford fleet sustainability and technology manager. “We expect the gaseous-fuel prep package will be even more popular than it was on the 2014 F-150 with the 3.7-liter V6 engine, given the capability of the 2016 F-150 5.0-liter V8.”

2016 F-150 trucks running on CNG or propane will be able to tow the same amount as if they were running on gasoline. Payload capability is the same as well – minus the weight of the installed CNG or propane system. Thanks to the use of advanced light-weighting materials, the 2016 F-150 with an installed CNG or propane system can haul hundreds of pounds more than a similarly equipped 2014 F-150.

Converting to CNG/propane

CNG/propane engine prep from the factory costs $315 before the customer chooses a Ford Qualified Vehicle Modifier to supply fuel tanks, fuel lines and unique fuel injectors. Upfits run approximately $7,500 to $9,500 depending on fuel tank capacity.

CNG conversions can provide stability against fluctuating fuel prices as well as lower vehicle operating costs for fleet administrators. CNG sells for an average of $2.11 per gallon of gasoline equivalent, as of April 30, 2015, and is as low as $1 in some parts of the country, representing a significant savings compared with unleaded regular fuel, and an even greater savings compared with diesel. The national average for unleaded regular fuel is $2.58 per gallon, while diesel sells for an average $2.81 per gallon, as of April 30.

Growing Demand for Ford CNG/propane-prepped vehicles

Ford has sold more than 57,000 CNG/propane-prepped vehicles – seven times more than all other major U.S. automakers combined – since 2009. Sales have grown each of the last five years, reflecting Ford’s commitment to sustainability and offering customers true power of choice in alternative fuels.

Ford sold a record 16,821 commercial vehicles with CNG/propane gaseous engine-prep packages in 2014, and 2015 is shaping up to be an even stronger year.

“The growth in interest for CNG/propane-prepped vehicles shows a shift in fleet customers’ mindsets,” says Dick Cupka, Ford ‎commercial vehicle sustainability leader. “They are becoming more forward-thinking about alternative fuels, taking into account their total cost of ownership and looking for ways to reduce their vehicle emissions.”

The most popular vehicles for CNG/propane prep packages are F-Series Super Duty trucks, while prep kits for the 2014 F-150 exceeded expectations by more than 40 percent. Ford sold more than 2,000 units in less than a year – and announced today it expects to sell even more gaseous fuel prep packages on the 2016 F-150 with 5.0-liter V8 engine.

The new 2015 Ford Transit has sold an impressive 836 CNG/propane-prepped vans and wagons since it became available in the United States in June 2014. Transit is America’s best-selling commercial van, based on total U.S. reported sales in the first quarter of 2015, contributing to Ford’s best first-quarter overall commercial van sales performance since 1995.

Ford Transit Connect is the only compact van sold in the United States with a CNG/propane-prepped engine option. Sales of CNG/propane-prepped 2015 Transit Connect vans and wagons have hit 838, already surpassing the 762 vehicles sold in the 2014 model year.

Ford offers broadest portfolio of CNG/propane-capable vehicles

Ford sells an available CNG/propane prep option for eight of its commercial vehicle lines, ranging from Transit Connect to F-750, making it the broadest CNG/propane-capable portfolio of any North American auto manufacturer. This selection has grown since 2010, when Ford offered CNG/propane prep on E-Series vans and wagons only.

With the addition of the 2016 F-150, Ford Motor Company will offer eight Ford commercial vehicles available from the factory with a gaseous-fuel prep option – more than any other North American auto manufacturer. These include:

• 2016 F-150 with 5.0-liter Ti-VCT V8
  
• F-250 and F-350 Super Duty pickup with 6.2-liter V8
  
• F-350 to F-550 Super Duty chassis cab with 6.2-liter V8 or 6.8-liter V10
  
• F-650 and F-750 chassis cab with 6.8-liter V10
  
• F-53 and F-59 stripped chassis with 6.8-liter V10
  
• Transit Connect van and wagon with 2.5-liter I-4
  
• Transit van, wagon, cutaway and chassis cab with 3.7-liter Ti-VCT V6
  
• E-Series cutaway and stripped chassis with 5.4-liter V8 or 6.8-liter V10
  

Available CNG/propane engine prep from the factory costs approximately $315 before the customer chooses a Ford Qualified Vehicle Modifier to supply fuel tanks, fuel lines and unique fuel injectors. Upfits cost approximately $7,500 to $13,000 depending on fuel tank capacity.

Ford estimates as many as 70 percent of its vehicles purchased with CNG/propane packages are upfit before customers take delivery and another 20 percent are upfit within a year of purchase.

Ford F-150 Qualified Vehicle Modifiers

Ford has established a rigorous qualification program for alternative-fuel vehicle modifiers. Four of these modifiers are committed to offering CNG or propane bi-fuel and dedicated kits for the 2016 F-150 – providing true power of choice to Ford commercial customers who have unique vehicle requirements in different vocations:

• Altech-Eco, based in Asheville, North Carolina – CNG
  
• IMPCO Automotive, based in Sterling Heights, Michigan – CNG and propane
  
• Westport, based in Dallas – CNG
  
• Venchurs Vehicle Systems, based in Adrian, Michigan – CNG
  

Ford Qualified Vehicle Modifiers offer a wide variety of CNG and propane options to help customers find the best, most cost-effective solution to their diverse operating needs. Ford maintains the engine and powertrain limited warranty (five years or 60,000 miles) for the vehicle. The modifier is responsible for the system component warranty and can provide additional details.

Ford maintains the engine and powertrain limited warranty (five years or 60,000 miles) for the vehicle. The modifier is responsible for the system component warranty and can provide additional details.

Ford Commercial Vehicle Qualified Vehicle Modifiers

A total of six Qualified Vehicle Modifiers are able to convert the full range of Ford CNG/propane-prepped engines to run on natural gas or propane at 36 locations across the United States:

• Altech-Eco, based in Asheville, North Carolina
  
• IMPCO Automotive, based in Sterling Heights, Michigan
  
• Landi Renzo USA, based in Torrance, California
  
• ROUSH CleanTech, based in Livonia, Michigan
  
• Venchurs Vehicle Systems, based in Adrian, Michigan
  
• Westport, based in Dallas
  

Compressed natural gas and propane

Compressed natural gas is mainly composed of methane. It is stored and distributed in hard containers at a pressure of approximately 3,600 psi. Approximately 85 percent of the CNG used in the United States is produced domestically.

Another benefit of this alternative fuel is cleaner emissions. Vehicles operating on CNG can reduce tailpipe CO₂ emissions by approximately 20 percent when compared with the same vehicle operating on gasoline.