Ford Offering CNG Version Of F-150

Ford Motor Co. will launch a new compressed natural gas version of its F-150 pickup, the first light-duty full-size truck to offer a CNG option.

The alternative fuel has become increasingly abundant thanks to the growth of fracking in the U.S. For cars and trucks, it typically offers lower operating costs – though there is a significant up-front investment, as much as $10,000 on the Ford truck. CNG also allows a buyer to maintain the towing and payload capacity of the F-150, unlike some other options.

The new CNG package is designed for the 5.0-liter V-8 version of the all-new aluminum-intensive F-150. The maker previously offered a natural gas package for the less capable V-6 on the old F-Series truck. The maker claims the new version can haul "hundreds of pounds more" cargo, while also boosting towing capacity.

Running on CNG or propane is cleaner and cheaper than running on gasoline, but there's an upfront conversion cost.

While it is considered a fossil fuel, its chemical structure contains less carbon than petroleum or coal and that means that in a motor vehicle it produces 60 to 90 percent fewer smog-causing pollutants and 30 to 40 percent less greenhouse gas emissions than gasoline, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

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