Oklahoma, Dallas Order 300-Plus CNG-Capable Ford F-150 Pickups As Demand Grows for Alternative Fuel Option
07 Maggio 2014 - 3:28PM
Business Wire
- The state of Oklahoma and its agencies
to buy 256 Ford F-150 trucks prepped to run on compressed natural
gas; Dallas orders 65 for its fleet
- 2014 F-150 available with gaseous-fuel
prep option on 3.7-liter V6 engine; can run on CNG or liquefied
petroleum gas (also called propane autogas)
- By summer, Ford will offer eight
vehicles that can run on clean-burning, affordable CNG; the company
is on track to sell more than 15,000 such vehicles in 2014
The state of Oklahoma, its agencies and the city of Dallas have
ordered a total of 321 Ford F-150 pickups that can run on
compressed natural gas.
Since 2010, Ford CNG-prepped truck sales have increased more
than 250 percent, said Jon Coleman, Ford fleet sales manager.
Cumulative sales are expected to exceed 50,000 trucks by the end of
the year, and Ford expects demand for CNG-prepped vehicles to
continue growing as more fleet customers recognize the economic and
environmental benefits of this clean-burning fuel.
CNG-powered trucks lower costs and offer emissions benefits, and
the alternative fuel is domestically produced, Coleman explained.
Operating costs can be as low as one third that of conventional
vehicles. Typically, the fuel savings cover the cost of conversion
within three years.
“For fleet customers in Oklahoma, Texas and other states, a CNG
F-150 really makes sense,” Coleman said. “The fuel is more
affordable and widely available, and it reduces greenhouse gases
and pollutants that cause smog.”
The 2014 F-150 is available with a gaseous-fuel prep option for
the 3.7-liter V6 that can run on CNG or liquefied petroleum gas.
CNG/LPG engine prep from the factory costs $315. The customer then
chooses a Ford Qualified Vehicle Modifier to supply fuel tanks,
fuel lines and unique fuel injectors. Upfits run approximately
$6,000 to $9,500, depending on tank capacity.
For fleet managers, CNG conversions can provide stability
against fluctuating fuel prices, lower vehicle operating costs and
reduce pollutants. CNG sells for a national average $2.11 per
gallon of gasoline equivalent, and is as low as $1 in parts of the
country. By comparison, the national average for unleaded regular
gas is $3.67 per gallon.
Customers can also accelerate the payback period by taking
advantage of a growing number of incentives issued by states such
as Oklahoma.
CNG expansion
Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin is leading a coalition of 22 states
seeking to use more CNG vehicles in their fleets. CNG is abundant
in this country and reduces America’s dependence on foreign oil.
CNG also lessens the environmental impact of greenhouse gas by 20
percent and reduces smog-producing pollutants up to 90 percent.
Fallin announced the CNG project at her inaugural Governor’s
Energy Conference in 2011. Since then, she has worked with other
Oklahoma officials and governors from other states, met with Ford
and other automobile manufacturers, and received bids to add more
CNG vehicles to the state’s fleets.
“I am excited about Oklahoma’s partnership with Ford Motor
Company as we work to support energy efficiency, cost savings and
the use of clean-burning American-made energy,” Fallin said.
“Ultimately, converting our state fleets to CNG will save millions
in taxpayer dollars.”
CNG prices in Oklahoma vary from $1.07 to $2.49 per gallon of
gasoline equivalent. The average statewide price for a gallon of
regular gas is $3.43. Fuel bills could be reduced as much as 67
percent with CNG vehicles, Coleman said.
Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas have
expressed interest in Ford CNG-capable vehicles, Coleman said.
The specially equipped bi-fuel F-150 model purchased by Oklahoma
features two storage tanks – the regular factory gasoline reservoir
and a supplementary CNG tank. Combined, this gives the light-duty
truck a range of up to 750 miles, depending on the size of the
tanks. The most common configuration allows fleet operators to go
450 miles on CNG alone and another 300 miles on regular gas.
Most CNG options
By this summer, Ford will offer eight commercial vehicles with a
gaseous-prep option, more than any other full-line
manufacturer:
- 2015 Transit Connect van and wagon
- 2015 Transit van, wagon, cutaway and
chassis cab
- 2014 E-Series van, wagon, cutaway and
stripped chassis
- 2015 F-Series Super Duty pickup
- 2015 F-Series Super Duty chassis
cab
- 2015 F-650 medium-duty truck
- 2015 F53 and F59 stripped chassis
- 2014 F-150 light-duty pickup
Power of Choice
CNG/LPG prepped vehicles are part of Ford’s commitment to
offering a wide range of alternative fuel options to customers to
help meet their mileage and driving needs, including EcoBoost,
hybrid, plug-in hybrid, battery electric, Flex Fuel and B20
biodiesel.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in
Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six
continents. With about 183,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide,
the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The
company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit
Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products
worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.
For news releases, related materials and high-resolution photos
and video, visit www.media.ford.com.
Ford Motor CompanyMike Levine, 313.323.6854mlevine5@ford.com
Scott Fosgard, 313.323.7189sfosgard@ford.com
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