Lonesome Ribbon of Highway is No Long Stretch for New Ford Propane Truck
9 June 1998
Lonesome Ribbon of Highway is No Long Stretch for New Ford Propane Truck KANSAS CITY, Mo., June 9 -- States in the South and Midwest
may be known for long stretches of highway and open spaces, but that won't be
any problem for a new Ford pickup truck that can travel up to 700 miles
between fill-ups.
Ford Motor Company , a leader in propane vehicle technology for
more than three decades, is now delivering its new 1998 bi-fuel, propane F-
Series. Ford is the only automaker offering a factory-built propane vehicle.
These trucks can travel 400 miles on a single tank of propane and up to
700 miles when using both propane and unleaded gasoline. "That means our
customers may run out of fuel before their vehicle does," said John Wallace,
Ford's director of Alternative Fuel Vehicles.
The bi-fuel vehicles operate on either cleaner-burning liquefied petroleum
gas (LPG), more commonly known as propane, or unleaded gasoline. According to
Wallace, "These vehicles are as good for the environment as they are for our
customers' bottom line."
The pickups are certified to California's strict Low Emission Vehicle
standards when operated on propane. In addition, propane emits less carbon
dioxide, a greenhouse gas, than unleaded gasoline. Propane costs
approximately 15 percent less than gasoline in most areas and, with more than
10,000 refueling stations across the country, propane has the most developed
infrastructure of any alternative fuel.
The 1998 LPG F-Series features several improvements over earlier models,
including a larger, more powerful engine. Other improvements include the
multi-port injection system, additional tank packages, and more models
including both F-150 and F-250, regular cabs and super cabs, and 4x2 or 4x4.
According to Wallace, Ford customers appreciate having more models to choose
from.
"Ford's F-Series trucks are the first and only factory-built, bi-fuel
propane trucks in the marketplace," said Dave Tarrant, Ford's propane vehicle
marketing specialist. "Aftermarket conversions of gasoline vehicles to
propane have existed for more than 60 years, but these trucks have been
engineered specifically for a bi-fuel application. They benefit tremendously
from Ford's expertise in the areas of engine and emissions controls, and they
come with Ford's warranty behind them."
The LPG F-Series, which is built at the Ford Kansas City Assembly Plant in
Missouri, features a gaseous fuel prep 5.4L V8 engine with upgraded intake
valve seat inserts and hard-faced exhaust valves for increased engine
durability. Additional LPG F-Series features include: LPG fuel tanks,
vaporizer, fuel meter and multi-port injection system; a second filler door
with LPG receptacle and fuel lines; and bi-fuel control switch.
Additionally, Ford will introduce a bi-fuel propane option on Econoline
and Club Wagon vans later this year.
Ford has the industry's most extensive experience in building propane-
powered vehicles. The company first offered propane trucks in 1964 and was
the first automaker to offer its propane trucks with the same full warranty as
the gasoline-powered version.
"Propane vehicle owners can expect the same quality, durability and
service that made the F-Series the best-selling truck in America," said
Wallace. "These vehicles stand up to the 'Built Ford Tough' reputation every
bit as much as the gasoline-powered trucks."
Ford continues to build cleaner, more advanced vehicles using a variety of
technologies and alternative fuels, including ethanol, propane, natural gas or
electricity. Ford's 1999 environmental initiatives include developing
technologies to continuously lower emissions and improve fuel economy.
