Ford reveals 2014 F-150 with CNG kit

Having a vehicle with a separate CNG kit installed isn’t new. But apparently the good news is that Ford is setting heavy-duty engine components into select 3.7-litre V6s to allow them to run on compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquid petroleum gas (LPG) in addition to petrol!

This announcement puts the brands total number of CNG/LPG-friendly vehicles at eight. Moreover, the F-150 will be the only half-ton pickup on the market that can run on these gas combinations.

The word is that Ford will charge US$315 (Dhs 1,150) per vehicle to equip the optional engine, but the trucks still won’t be ready to run on the other fuels straight away, as it must be fitted with additional equipment. And for that, a Ford Qualified Vehicle Modifier will install a separate fuel system for the compressed gases. Of-course not for free! You’ll have to pay US$7,500 (Dhs 27,500) to US$9,500 (Dhs 34,900), depending on the size of the fuel tank.

Still, the F-150 equipped with the CNG/LPG engine can go 1200 km on one tank of gas. Certainly, a viable option to save fuel costs over a few months. But whether this specific kit will be available here in the oil-rich Middle-East where petrol comes cheaper than many commodities is a serious doubt.