Ford's Propane Powered F-150

Written by Marketing

Have you seen Ford’s 2016 F-150 that has the option of a factory-installed gaseous-prep package? It was featured recently at the Government Fleet Expo & Conference in Denver where there was a panel session called “Is Propane Right for Your Fleet?” This panel was headed by three fleet managers who spoke about how they added AutoGas vehicles into their existing fleets and what it’s done for their company.

The factory gaseous-prep package allows a 5.0-liter V8-powered model to run on propane or compressed natural gas. This option was originally offered with the 2014 F-150, but not the 2015 model. Ford ran a survey that showed that 72 percent of their customers wanted the gaseous-prep package as an option to the V-8 engine. The package costs around $315. Then, depending on whether the customer wants the engine to run on propane or compressed natural gas, they choose a Qualified Vehicle Modifier (QVM) so the correct fuel tanks, fuel lines, and fuel injectors are added. QVM cost can run anywhere from $7,500 to $13,000 depending on the truck’s fuel tank capacity.

Westport Innovations, a Canadian based company that develops technologies that allow engines to run on clean-burning fuels, is offering its WiNG Power System for the 2016 F-150.  This system allows the truck to run on propane or compressed natural gas first, and then when that tank is empty, it runs on gasoline. This gives the alternative fuel portion of the fleet the ability to travel further without the concern of running out of alternative fuel and no place to fill up.

The fuel pump for the propane system lasts up to 150,000 miles and works with a 16 or 24-gallon fuel tank. The LPG tank is installed under the truck’s body so it won’t take up bed space like was the case in the past. The service of the vehicle is the same as with a gasoline-powered engine with no extra scanning tools needed to test the diagnostic system.

Ford has been offering an alternative fuel option since at least 2009, and with the 30 percent savings in fuel cost over gasoline and various tax credits that come with running an alternative fuel vehicle, it seems to be a no-brainer for companies looking to cut costs. The next time you see a Ford F-150 on the road know that it could be powered by propane.