Chrysler, Ford, GM Introduce Natural-Gas Pickup Trucks
The so-called green truck segment is growing fast. By the end of this year, the number of alternative-fuel commercial vehicles on the road in the U.S. is expected to rise to more than 150,000, a 16% annual increase, estimates the National Truck Equipment Association. Although this represents a fraction of the millions of vehicles on the road today, the new breed of trucks is attracting the interest of cost-conscious fleet managers.
Responding to demands for cheaper, cleaner fuels than gasoline or diesel, Ford, General Motors and Ram have introduced new pickups that are designed to run on compressed natural gas (CNG) and gasoline. The "bifuel" trucks debuted at the Work Truck Show, which NTEA hosted on March 6-8 in Indianapolis. Helping to spur adoption and lessen fears, the truck makers are offering standard warranty packages. The models promise a two- to three-year payback, they said.
CNG currently represents the largest volume within the green truck segment, with an estimated 74,000 vehicles on the road this year, says NTEA. Speaking at the Work Truck Show's Green Truck Summit, U.S. Dept. of Energy Secretary Steven Chu called natural gas a "no-brainer" but warned that fuel storage and infrastructure are the limiting factors to widespread adoption.
"The most expensive part is the additional tank," said Chu. "That's the issue."
As for fueling infrastructure, industry experts say CNG works well for short-distance hauls when drivers return each day to a central refueling yard. Many long-haul fleets are considering liquified natural gas, which is denser than CNG and provides more range. The problem? Few truck stops offer LNG pumps.
"CNG trucks are well suited to the severe service market as the payback period can be a little longer," said Ann Duignan, an analyst for J.P. Morgan, in a recent investor note, adding that "some conversions cost up to $18,000, and fleets are balking at this incremental cost."
In the light-duty commercial segment, manufacturers are trying to bring down the added cost, and one strategy is to build the systems in-house. Chrysler's Ram division unveiled what it is calling the first factory-built CNG pickup, which has a range of 255 miles on natural gas and an additional 112 miles on gasoline. Built in Saltillo, Mexico, the 2012 Ram 2500 Heavy Duty CNG—priced at $47,500, or roughly 30% more than a comparably equipped three-quarter-ton Ram—is offered only in a crew-cab, long-box configuration with four-wheel drive. However, it can be had with either standard or medium-level trim packages.
"We have an abundant supply of compressed natural gas here in the U.S., and we intend to use it with this truck," said Fred Diaz, Ram's president and CEO, at the truck show. "It's also a near-term viable option for lessening this country's dependence on crude oil."
The Ram starts on gasoline, then switches automatically to CNG shortly after start-up or when the truck's computer senses a light load on the engine. During a brief test drive, we found the switch to be almost imperceptible. The only indication was an LCD display that changed to "CNG" from "GAS." When the CNG tank is empty, the Ram will automatically switch back to gasoline.
A 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine, fitted with hardened valves and seats, supplies power. The bifuel truck comes with a five-year, 100,000-mile warranty, and its two CNG tanks, which rest in a steel box mounted flush with the top of the bed, are covered under a three-year, 36,000-mile warranty. Ram is taking fleet orders now for summer delivery.
Ram estimates the truck will deliver 15% less power and torque in CNG mode. But it expects some fleets will accept less capability so that they can save at the pump. During the show, an area public pump offered CNG for the gasoline-gallon equivalent of $2.15, according to CNGprices.com. Gasoline in the city averaged $3.77, said IndyGasPrices.com.
While relying on aftermarket suppliers, other truck makers are offering CNG as an available dealer option. GM took the wraps off two such trucks: the bifuel 2013 Chevrolet and the GMC Sierra 2500 HD pickup. They have a range of 650 miles on CNG and gasoline combined. GM builds the trucks in Ft. Wayne, Ind., then ships them to a nearby IMPCO Technologies Inc. plant for the CNG upfit. Prices were not disclosed.
Powered by a hardened, 6.0-liter Vortec V-8, GM's bifuel trucks are available in short and long boxes as well as two- and four-wheel drive. CNG does not start easily in a cold engine, so, like the Ram, GM's trucks ignite on gasoline and then switch to CNG automatically. However, if the GM trucks have no gasoline in the tank, they will not start. The Ram will start on CNG if the gas tank is empty.
GM estimates its bifuel trucks will deliver about 12% less power in CNG mode. Its trucks use a composite tank mounted inside a steel enclosure in the bed. The extra weight reduces payload capacity by 450 lb. Powertrain components are covered under a five-year, 100,000-mile warranty. Other parts are covered under a three-year, 36,000-mile warranty. Next month, GM is taking orders for year-end delivery.
Ford showcased a new bifuel system, produced by Westport LD, which can be had on three-quarter and one-ton trucks. The company displayed an F-250 Super Duty pickup with a Westport WiNG power system that uses a tank enclosure in the bed and offers a 600-mile, combined-fuel range. Costing $9,750 more than a conventional F-250 or F-350, the bifuel truck always starts up on CNG, then switches to gasoline for extended range. The truck can operate on CNG in -20° F temperatures, and Westport estimates that power is cut by 5% in CNG mode. The tank adds about 400 lb.
Available for summer delivery, Ford's truck is built in Lousiville, Ky., then a nearby Westport factory provides the CNG upfit. Powered by a hardened, 6.2-liter V-8 that accepts propane, the truck can be ordered in a short- or long-bed configuration in any cab style. The CNG tank has a three-year, 36,000-mile warranty, and other parts are covered under a five-year, 50,000-mile warranty.
The trucks use different methods to tell the driver when the fuels switch. Ram offers twin analog fuel gauges and an LCD display in the main instrument cluster, while Westport has a CNG fuel gauge on Ford's center stack. Westport's blue back-lit display goes dark in gasoline mode. GM has a four-light LED readout on the center stack; each light indicates a quarter tank of CNG. Here, a button allows users to switch between fuels. Ram and Ford do not offer manual overrides.
Despite the challenges, the competition is heating up for CNG, and we expect to see even more options coming down the road soon.
