Gearheads can look forward to the sun, surf and the first natural-gas-powered Ford F-150 in Santa Monica, CA, this weekend. The AltCar Expo takes place today and tomorrow and will most notably include the debuts of compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) versions of the best-selling pickup. The new model will bring the number of Ford models offering CNG power to eight. Ford expects to sell as many as 15,000 CNG and LPG vehicles for the 2014 model year, not bad for an option that will bump the new-vehicle price by as much as $8,000.
There's a reason that that $8,000 isn't that big of a number. Ford says buyers will not only get a vehicle that can run 750 miles on a single tank but also one that fill up for as little as $2 and change per gallon. Because of that, Ford says the payback for the CNG/LPG version of the F-150 may be as little as two years. Ford said in July that it would offer CNG and LPG options for its F-150 with the 3.7-liter V6 engine and can now lay claim to the only half-ton pickup in the US that can run on regular gasoline as well as the two natural gases.
Sadly, AutoblogGreen is taking a rare hiatus from AltCar this year but will do its best to track any news coming out of there. In the meantime, you can check out the Blue Oval's press release below.
· With the addition of the 2014 F-150, Ford will have eight vehicles available to run on clean-burning, inexpensive compressed natural gas
· Ford is only manufacturer with an available CNG-capable half-ton pickup
· Dedicated CNG-equipped 2014 Ford F-150 expected to achieve California's certified pure zero-emissions standard, making it eligible for the state's high-occupancy vehicle carpool lanes
SANTA MONICA, Calif., Sept. 19, 2013 – The 2014 Ford F-150 with compressed natural gas capability will go on public display for the first time this weekend, Sept. 20-21, at AltCar Expo in Santa Monica, Calif.
This 2014 F-150 is part of Ford's extensive lineup of vehicles with available CNG-prepped engines. Ford expects to sell more than 15,000 gaseous fuel-prepped vehicles this year.
The CNG F-150 would join Ford's Focus electric vehicle as being eligible for a "white sticker," which allows high-occupancy vehicle lane access in California. Ford C-MAX Energi and Fusion Energi are both eligible for a "green sticker," also allowing high-occupancy vehicle lane access. The California Legislature has just passed legislation that will extend the sticker programs from their current expiration date of Jan. 1, 2015 to Jan. 1, 2019. The legislation awaits Gov. Jerry Brown's signature.
The 2014 Ford F-150 with 3.7-liter V6 engine will be available this fall with a factory-installed gaseous-fuel prep package that includes hardened valves, valve seats, pistons and rings. CNG engine prep from the factory is approximately $315 before the customer chooses a Ford Qualified Vehicle Modifier to supply fuel tanks, fuel lines and unique fuel injectors.
CNG conversions traditionally start just under $6,000 and go up to $8,000, depending on fuel tank capacity. With the money saved using CNG, customers could start to see payback on their investment in as little as 24 to 36 months.
CNG sells for an average of $2.07 per gallon of gasoline equivalent, and is as low as $1 in some parts of the country, representing a significant savings over unleaded regular fuel.
"The response to our CNG F-150 announcement is exciting," said Jon Coleman, Ford fleet sustainability and technology manager. "Businesses and fleet customers have been asking Ford to make F-150 available with CNG capability, and I'm glad we'll be able to show a completed upfit this weekend.
"When you add in the likelihood our Qualified Vehicle Modifiers will secure California HOV lane certification for the CNG-only version of F-150," Coleman added, "we're providing our commercial customers with a cost savings and a significant time savings as well."
Qualified Vehicle Modifiers
Ford has established a rigorous qualification program for alternative-fuel vehicle modifiers. The QVM program is intended to help modifiers achieve greater levels of customer satisfaction and product acceptance through the manufacture of high-quality vehicles.
QVMs offer a wide variety of CNG 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); the modifier is responsible for the system component warranty.
Compressed natural gas
Compressed natural gas is mainly composed of methane. It is stored and distributed in hard containers at a pressure of approximately 3,600 psi. About 85 percent of the CNG used in the United States is produced domestically.
Another benefit of this alternative fuel: cleaner emissions. The GREET model from Argonne National Laboratory indicates CNG use can result in up to a 25 percent reduction in CO2.
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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 177,000 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.
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