2016 Ford F-150 to Offer CNG / Propane Upfitting Options
Gasoline is pretty cheap these days, considering not too long ago we were at $4 per gallon across the country. But there’s a type of automotive fuel that’s even less expensive, and that’s compressed natural gas (CNG). Ford is the long-standing leader of CNG and propane powered vehicles in the United States, and they’re continuing that leadership with the 2016 Ford F-150.
While the everyday consumer might not need or want a CNG-powered truck, fleet buyers are definitely interested in the option. So municipalities require independent contractors to offer CNG-powered fleets when they bid on contracts. Other fleet managers just want to save on long-term, overall fuel costs. With CNG as cheap as $1 per gallon in parts of the country, it’s an appealing alternative.
For just $315, a 2016 F-150 with the 5.0L V8 can have the CNG prep kit installed. That allows the truck buyer to then head to a licensed upfitter for the conversion. Depending on the equipment used and the size of the tank, Ford says the actual upfitting can cost between $7,000 and $9,500 on the F-150.
I’ve personally driven a CNG-equipped Ford F-150 before (it was a 2014 model), and while running on CNG it felt just like driving any other Ford pickup truck. I would expect similar driving dynamics and capabilities from the 2016 model.
As for capability, the tow rating remains the same on CNG-equipped trucks, and the payload capacity is the same (minus the weight of the CNG equipment). Since the 2016 F-150 is lighter than the 2014 model, the weight penalty there isn’t as harsh.
The 2016 Ford CNG-powered F-150 is just another example of catering to the needs of their customers.
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