2000 Ford Excursion: Dedicated Propane Demonstration Program
17 March 1999
2000 Ford Excursion: Dedicated Propane Demonstration Program DALLAS, March 16 -- Ford Motor Company , already a
leader in both sport utility and alternative fuel vehicle development and
sales, will offer a dedicated propane version of its new Excursion sport
utility vehicle.
By applying patented Ford technology to Excursion, company engineers were
able to do what no one has done before -- deliver a cleaner truck that runs
solely on propane. The propane Excursion will put out at least 62 percent
less smog-forming tailpipe emissions than the government allows. In other
words, it would take four propane Excursion vehicles to put out the same
amount of smog-forming emissions as a typical new vehicle (Tier I certified).
Tailpipe emissions include both hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides.
This Excursion pairs the clean-burning characteristics of propane with a
Ford-patented advanced catalyst system and innovative engine control strategy.
The propane Excursion will be produced as a test fleet and placed with key
customers around the country. The program will test the technology and help
determine if there is market demand for increased production of the vehicle.
The propane version of Excursion will be equipped with a 6.8-liter V-10
engine and will have the same performance characteristics of the comparable
gasoline model.
The vehicle also has been modified to fit its unique exhaust system and
tank package. The propane Excursion will have two fuel tanks that hold a
total of just under 40 gallons, giving the vehicle a range of about 250 miles
between fills.
Propane is also known as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Besides having
low emissions characteristics, propane has a slight greenhouse gas advantage
over gasoline. It also is the most widely available alternative fuel, with
more than 10,000 private or public refueling stations across the United
States.
Ford first began offering propane-powered trucks in 1964 on a very limited
basis and was the first automaker to offer its propane trucks with the same
limited warranty as gasoline-powered versions. During the 1999 model year,
Ford plans to sell bifuel LPG/gasoline models of the F-150 and F-250 that will
be certified to California's (ultra low-emission vehicle) ULEV standard.
* The Excursion program will include a test fleet of dedicated propane
models delivering a worldwide first for propane by exceeding California's
SULEV (super ultra low-emission vehicle) standards.
* With emissions levels below SULEV, the propane Excursion sport utility
vehicle will produce at least 62 percent less smog-forming tailpipe exhaust
emissions than allowed.
* Ford-patented emission control technology helps decrease pollutants to
levels never before attained with a propane vehicle.
