Roush Clean Tech has added a propane injection system for the V-10 engine used in Ford's F-450 and F-550 cab-chassis. It joins five other propane products for Ford F- and E-series trucks that come standard with V-8 and V-10 gasoline engines.

The system cuts fuel costs by 40 percent and reduces pollutants by 20 to 60 percent while delivering performance as good as with gasoline, said Roush's president, Joe Thompson, who announced the product Tuesday during NTEA's Work Truck Show in Indianapolis.

Propane costs 30 percent less than gasoline, and typically sells for $1 to $1.50 per gallon less; some states exempt if from motor-fuel taxes, he said. If the owner installs his own fueling station - a comparatively simple facility - he's eligible for a 50-cent-a-gallon federal tax credit. Although federal taxes of 18.5 cents a gallon still apply, the owner of a propane-fired truck then realizes savings of over $22,000 over its lifetime after the propane conversion is factored in.

Propane's price is far more stable than that of gasoline, and has risen only 20 cents per gallon in recent months. About 90 percent of propane - more properly called liquefied petroleum gas - is produced in the U.S. and 55 percent of that comes from natural gas, which is also largely produced here, said Brian Feehan, vice president of the Propane Education & Research
Council.

Like other Roush systems, the newest one for the 6.8-liter V-10 is certified by Ford through its QVM program, and is warranted by Ford through 500 of its dealers.

The F-450 and 550 cab-chassis models are rated at up to 19,500 GVW and come with Regular, Super and Crew Cabs and with eight wheelbases. The Roush system uses a 41-usable-gallon propane tank.

More information: www.roushcleantech.com