The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) has approved $600,000 in funding to support emissions certification for applying Icom North America's propane autogas technology to the Ford 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine.
Icom says it is integrating its patented JTGhp direct-injection system into the EcoBoost engine for the Ford F-150, Explorer and Taurus vehicle platforms.
According to PERC, the council made the investment to help Icom receive both U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board certifications for the 3.5-liter EcoBoost platform. Icom notes that its JTGhp system has already achieved EPA certifications for a range of other engine and vehicle platforms.
‘Direct-injection engines fueled by propane autogas offer all of those benefits for performance and emissions, while providing the operator with a lower operating cost,” comments Tucker Perkins, PERC's chief business development officer.
“Engine designers will find that propane autogas enhances the benefits of direct-injection technology; users will see the financial benefits; and the technology will eventually migrate to a host of applications, both on road and off road,” Perkins continues. “This is one more step forward in technology being applied to showcase the benefits of using a clean American energy like propane.’
