Ford Motor Co. says it will soon begin offering its Transit full-size vans, wagons, cutaways and chassis-cab models powered by a 3.7-liter V6 equipped with a compressed natural gas (CNG) and propane autogas prep kit.
The alt-fuel Transit joins a number of other Ford models that are available with CNG or autogas equipment, such as the Ford Super Duty pickups, Transit Connect, E-Series vans and F-450, F-550 and F-650. Moreover, later this year, Ford will introduce a CNG-ready 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine for the Transit Connect.
‘Since 2009, we've seen the number of Built Ford Tough commercial vehicles sold with factory-prepped engines for CNG/LPG upfit increase by more than 350 percent,’ says Jon Coleman, Ford's fleet sustainability and technology manager. ‘To expand power of choice for our commercial customers, we are offering CNG/LPG prepped engines in additional vehicle nameplates.’
Ford engines that are factory-prepped for gaseous conversion come equipped with hardened valves and valve seats. CNG/LPG engine prep from the factory costs approximately $325, and then the customer chooses a Qualified Vehicle Modifier program partner to supply fuel tanks, fuel lines and unique fuel injectors. The upfits cost approximately $9,500 to $12,500, depending on fuel tank capacity.
