Work Truck Show 2012 Raises a Chorus on Fuel Cost

Westport bi-fuel system for Ford F-250/350

Westport Light Duty Inc. launched the Ford F-250/350 Super Duty Truck powered by the integrated CNG bi-fuel system called Westport WiNG Power System.

Westport-authorized Ford dealers will offer the Ford SD pickups with delivery beginning in the second quarter of 2012. The truck features a Ford 6.2-liter factory-ready gaseous engine with hardened valves and seats. The Ford warranty remains in tact and all service/warranty work will be performed at Ford dealer locations.

CNG is carried in a Type 4 composite fuel tank in the bed. The trucks will run 200 to 300 miles on CNG, stretching to more than 600 miles when combined with their range running on gasoline. Primary operation is on CNG, and the system automatically transitions to gasoline as needed. 

Ram Trucks offers factory CNG pickup

"Our commerical customers have been asking us to build a CNG (compressed natural gas) powered Ram," says Peter Grady, vice president, network development and fleet at the Chrysler Group LLC. "These fleets have already developed their own fleet fueling infrastructure for CNG, and are strong proponents of the technology."

At the NTEA Work Truck Show, the company responded by unveiling a 2500 HD Heavy Duty CNG pickup. It is powered by a 5.7-liter V8 and features both compressed gas storage tanks and an 8-gal. gasoline fuel tank (Canadian customers can opt for a 35-gal. tank).

The pickup's 4.6-cu.-ft. (130-liter) CNG tanks are located in the forward portion of the 8-ft. bed. Both tanks are mounted to the frame and covered by a painted 50 ksi high-strength steel cover. The CNG filler connection is located next to the gasoline fuel neck, accessed through the fuel filler door. Range on compressed natural gas alone is estimated to be 255 miles, while the backup supply of gasoline extends the range to 367 total miles.

The 5.7-liter HEMI bi-fuel engine has been modified to run on compressed natural gas as well as gasoline. Redesigned cylinder heads with specifically designed CNG compatible valves and valve-seat materials allow the engine to burn both fuels. It also gets a second, CNG-specific fuel rail and a set of injectors. New spark plugs improve combustion and durability, and a new powertrain control module allows the HEMI to seamlessly operate on either of the two fuel sources.

Fuel system operation is automatic. It transitions from CNG to gasoline with little discernible difference in operation or capability. Although a small amount of gasoline is used during engine startup, the pickup runs exclusively on compressed natural gas. If the CNG tanks are emptied, the vehicle will automatically switch to gasoline.

The Ram 2500 is delivered ready-to-tow and standard equipment includes the integrated 4- and 7-pin connectors along with a Class IV hitch receiver. The truck can carry 1,580 lbs. of payload and tow 7,650 lbs.

At the NTEA Work Truck Show, Chrysler's Ram Truck brand announced it would expand Ram 1500 Tradesman availability to include Crew Cab and Quad Cab models. It was previously only available in a regular cab. Tradesman is a value-priced package designed to meet the needs of small businessmen, construction jobsites and commercial fleets at an affordable price.

"From the moment we launched it, the Ram 1500 Tradesman was a hit," says Fred Diaz, President and CEO, Ram Truck Brand and Chrysler de Mexico. The new models add room for six adults.

The 4.7-liter V8 engine that powers the truck is rated at 310 hp and 330 lb.-ft. of torque. It also provides up to 20 mpg. An optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8 provides 390 hp and 407 lb.-ft. of torque.

Features include link-coil rear suspension, heavy-duty cooling, Class IV receiver hitch, 4- and 7-pin trailer connectors, in-floor storage on crew cab models, forward-opening doors on Quad Cab, power windows and a six-speaker stero with CD player and audio input jack. In addition, Ram Tradesman 4.7-liter models now come with a no-cost RamBox cargo management system that includes lighted, lockable storage for tools and adjustable tie-downs.