Ford Trucks Guinea Pigs For Propane

And Until Now It Has Been Intertwined with the Term “Charbroiled”
by Jason Giacchino

When we hear about alternative fuels for our trucks, there are a few options that usually spring to mind: Ethanol, biodiesel, electricity perhaps. But one firm says that Ford trucks, exclusively, are about to benefit from a fuel source typically associated with grilling up a hamburger.

Based in Michigan, ROUSH CleanTech offers dedicated liquid propane auto fuel systems for a variety of light- and medium-duty Ford vehicles, including the F-150, F-250 and F-350 pickup truck series; the F-450 and F-550 chassis cab truck series; the E-150, E-250 and E-350 van and wagon series; and the E-350 and E-450 cutaway van series.

Automotive Resources International (ARI), a leading global fleet solutions provider specializing in complex car and truck fleets, recently unveiled its ROUSH CleanTech propane autogas demo vehicle. ARI, in partnership with ROUSH CleanTech, will provide in-house demonstrations of this groundbreaking technology to its clients.

"We’re excited and eager to share this green fleet option with our customers," said Carl Ortell, ARI President. "It’s important for our clients to fully understand any technology before they implement it, and this propane demonstration vehicle will give them hands-on experience with how the vehicle functions and performs."

ROUSH CleanTech propane autogas technology burns cleaner in engines, resulting in reduced operating costs and the potential for longer engine life, with 60 percent less carbon monoxide, up to 24 percent less greenhouse gas emissions, and fewer particulate emissions when compared to gasoline. Additionally, propane autogas is a proven cost-effective, safe and highly reliable alternative fuel, with 90 percent of U.S. propane supplies produced domestically.

At present, the firms involved envision big things by running liquid propane in company fleets using Ford trucks, but there is little doubt the application could spill over into the private sector if it proves as successful as anticipated.

In fact certain ROUSH CleanTech models are already available through authorized Ford dealerships around the country. The propane autogas fuel system delivers the same factory Ford performance characteristics and serviceability with a 5-year/60,000-mile limited warranty.

Does propane just make sense? Or is propane just another wanna be fuel source? Voice your opinion here!