The math is simple—according to the U.S. Energy Information Agency, on an energy equivalent basis, natural gas costs one-third less than conventional gasoline and 42% less than diesel fuel, on average. With gasoline and diesel fuel prices high and unpredictable, it was hardly a surprise to see new light- and medium-duty trucks powered by natural gas engines taking center stage at the 2012 Work Truck Show, the annual gathering held in conjunction with the NTEA Convention. Among the announcements were the following:
Ram Truck will be offering a factory-built compressed natural gas (CNG) pickup. The Ram 2500 Heavy Duty CNG model is powered by the manufacturer’s 5.7-liter Hemi V8, which has been modified to run on CNG, as well as gasoline. Modifications include redesigned cylinder heads with CNG-compatible valves and valve-seat materials that allow it to burn both fuels. There also is a second, CNG-specific fuel rail and set of injectors, and a new powertrain control module.
The Ram system is automatic. A small amount of gasoline is used during engine startup before the truck runs exclusively on CNG. Once the CNG tanks are empty, the vehicle switches to gasoline power. CNG-only range is estimated at 255 miles, while the backup supply of gasoline extends the range to 367 miles.
The Ram 2500 CNG system includes two 4.6-cu.-ft. (130-liter) CNG tanks mounted to the frame under the forward portion of the pickup bed and covered by a steel panel. U.S. models are equipped with an 8-gal. gasoline tank and Canadian customers can opt for a 35-gal. gasoline tank.
General Motors provided details on its 2013 bi-fuel Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 2500 HD extended cab pickup trucks. GM builds the vehicles, while a Tier One supplier handles installation of the CNG bi-fuel delivery and storage systems, according to the truck maker.
GM bi-fuel pickups are equipped with a Vortec 6.0L V8 engine that transitions between CNG and gasoline fuel systems. Combined, the systems offer a range of more than 650 miles. The Silverado and Sierra will be available in standard and long box models, with either two- or four-wheel drive systems.
Westport Innovations announced its Westport LD division’s WiNG Power System, which is based on Ford’s new 6.2-liter hardened engine platform. Ford F-250 and F-350 pickups with the bi-fuel system run on natural gas or gasoline. The WiNG Power Systems will be installed at Westport’s facility adjacent to the Ford Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville.
On the medium-duty front, Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp. (FCCC) used the Work Truck Show to roll out its S2G chassis with a factory-installed liquid propane gas (LPG) engine. The S2G’s 8-liter, 325 HP engine supplied by Powertrain Integration uses a General Motors long block and other engine components. FCCC partnered with Powertrain Integration and CleanFuel USA to develop the S2G LPG engine.
The S2G is designed for pickup and delivery, student transportation and municipal applications. The front engine chassis utilizes a Freightliner M2 cab and has a GVWR of 33,000 lbs. Standard specs include an Allison 2300 automatic transmission with a PTO provision. A limited preproduction run of the S2G chassis is expected in the fourth quarter of 2012 and full production is slated for the first quarter of 2013.
The emphasis on natural gas engines during The Work Truck Show was also apparent at the show’s Green Truck Summit where recent developments in sustainable technologies and new commercial truck applications were showcased. Included at the event was the Green Truck Ride-and-Drive, featuring 21 commercial vehicles that incorporate advances in hybrid technology and alternative fuel applications on trucks, including CNG, propane, battery-electric, extended range electric, ultra-clean biodiesel, bi-fuel CNG, electric hybrids (series and parallel), and hydraulic hybrids.
Adding it all up, fleets operating light- and medium-duty trucks have a variety of choices for alternative fuel-powered vehicles that promise to pay long-term dividends.
