A CNG-fueled Ford F-650 the automaker brought to the ATD show in Las Vegas.

A CNG-fueled Ford F-650 the automaker brought to the ATD show in Las Vegas.

Ford Motor Co. brought a dump truck version of F-650 medium-duty truck to the 2013 ATD show in Orlando. This vehicle came equipped with a dedicated compressed natural gas (CNG) system, and Ford’s Todd Kaufman, marketing manager for the company, explained what makes both the gasoline and CNG variants of this vehicle stand out in the medium-duty segment and how this particular project came to be. The F-650 gasoline chassis cab can be configured in GVWRs that range from 20,500 all the way up to 30,000 lbs. – with a GCWR up to 33,000 lbs.

Kaufman explained that Ford partnered with DTE Energy, an electric and natural gas utility company, on this project. He said DTE has ordered a number of these vehicles and will likely order more.

The F-650 at ATD was equipped with a dump body provided by Truck Tech Engineers Inc. and a dedicated CNG fuel system. National Fleet Services handled the CNG conversion process. The CNG upfit cost between $16,000 and $17,000, according to Kaufman. The gasoline engine for the F-650 comes with a gaseous prep package that has hardened valves and valve seats, making the vehicle compatible with compressed natural gas or propane fueling system. The prep package made the F-650 at the show a fit for the dedicated CNG system and for DTE Energy. The vehicle is equipped with 3 15-gallon tanks, providing a total of 45 gasoline gallon equivalents.

Although CNG is a great option, Kaufman noted the gasoline engine-equipped F-650 offers a number of benefits to fleets. He explained Ford has been offering a gasoline engine option for its F-650 since the 2012 model-year and that this engine is a segment exclusive. The engine is a gasoline 6.8L V-10 that provides 362 hp and 457 lb. ft. of torque. One of the benefits of this engine in this vehicle is due to the overall drivetrain configuration.

Truck Tech Engineers Inc. provided the dump body and National Fleet Services provided the dedicated CNG fuel system.

Truck Tech Engineers Inc. provided the dump body and National Fleet Services provided the dedicated CNG fuel system.

By Greg Basich and Greg Arroyo

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