Ford’s First 2016 Gaseous Prep F-150 Rolls off Line in Kansas City

The first 2016 Ford F-150 with the ability to run on clean-burning propane or CNG has rolled off the assembly line in Kansas City, Mo., making Ford the only manufacturer to offer a propane/CNG-capable half-ton pickup. The 2016 Ford F-150 with a 5.0-liter Ti-VCT V-8 engine is available with a factory-installed gaseous-fuel prep package that includes hardened valves, valve seats, pistons, and piston rings so it can operate on propane, natural gas, or gasoline through separate fuel systems.

“It’s exciting to see the first F-150s with the CNG/propane-prepped 5.0-liter V-8 headed to customers,” said Jon Coleman, Ford fleet sustainability and technology manager. “Whether running on gasoline, gaseous fuel, or both, thee 5.0-liter V-8 F-150 offers hardworking customers terrific towing and payload, and how the ability to operate on alternative fuel.”

When equipped with a bi-fuel propane/CNG engine package, the truck is capable of achieving more than 750 miles on combined tanks, depending on tank size. The Ford F-150 5.0-liter has an Environmental Protection Agency estimated rating of 22 mpg highway and 18 mpg combined. Green Car Journal recently named the truck its 206 Green Truck of the Year, in part due to the availability of the gaseous-prep option. Propane/CNG engine prep from the factory costs $315 before the customer chooses a Ford Qualified Vehicle Modifier to supply fuel tanks, fuel lines, and unique fuel injectors. Upfits run about $6000 to $9500, depending on fuel tank capacity.

With production of the 2016 F-150 now under way, Ford Motor Co. offers eight factory-available vehicles with the gaseous-prep option, more than any other North American automaker. In addition to the F-150 with 5.0-liter Ti-VCT they include the F-250 and F-350 Super Duty pickup with 6.2-liter V-8, F-350 to F-550 Super Duty chassis cab with 6.2-liter V-8 or 6.8-liter V-10, and F-650 and F-750 chassis cab with 6.8-liter V-10. Others are the F-53 and F-59 stripped chassis with 6.8-liter V-10; Transit Connect van and wagon with 2.5-liter I-4; Transit van, wagon, cutaway, and chassis cab with 3.7-liter Ti-VCT V-6; and E-Series cutaway and stripped chassis with 6.8-liter V-10.