'Man Caves' Vehicle Fueled by Propane Autogas Showcased at International Builder's Show
PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP, MI - ROUSHCleanTech's liquid propane-autogas-powered Ford E-350 cutaway van, featured on the DIY Network television show "Man Caves," will be showcased as Ford's presentation vehicle at the National Association of Home Builder's International Builders Show.
PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP, MI - ROUSHCleanTech's liquid propane-autogas-powered Ford E-350 cutaway van, featured on the DIY Network television show "Man Caves," is being showcased as Ford's presentation vehicle at the National Association of Home Builder's International Builders Show, January 12-15, in Orlando, Fla. The "Man Caves" utility van will be used in at least three upcoming episodes of the television program.
"We're thrilled that 'Man Caves' has added a ROUSH CleanTech propane-autogas van with a Knapheide Utility Vehicle (KUV) body organized with Sortimo solutions," said Chris Weiss, vice president of engineering at Knapheide. "This van, a virtual workshop on wheels, shows that 'green' can be sustainable and productive."
A professional speaker will provide narration to the attendees in the booth each hour about the latest features and benefits of this Ford presentation vehicle, focusing on 2011 enhanced equipment changes, such as the Ford Work Solution's in-dash computer and the ROUSH CleanTech liquid propane autogas fuel system. The van will be displayed in Ford's booth #W2229.
"This van promises to boost any builder's bottom line with lower fuel costs and reduced maintenance costs," said ROUSH CleanTech President Joe Thompson, who will be on hand in the Ford booth to answer questions about the alternative fuel van. "Propane autogas is not only environmentally friendly, but it has a tough side that lives and breathes durability, dependability, and economic feasibility."
Propane autogas is already the most widely used alternative fuel on roads today in the United States, powering over 270,000 vehicles. Worldwide, more than 13 million vehicles run on propane autogas. Up to 56,000 miles of pipeline, more than 6,000 retail dealer locations, and thousands of propane autogas fueling stations across the United States make the fuel readily available. It burns cleaner than gasoline or diesel, with up to 20 percent less nitrogen oxide, up to 60 percent less carbon monoxide, 24 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions, and fewer particulate emissions when compared to gasoline.
"Propane autogas powered vehicles are the smart choice for businesses aiming to meet air quality standards without taking a hit in the pocket," said Thompson. "Beyond proven 'green' benefits, this fuel makes sense for business by reducing our country's dependence on foreign oil and boosting profits. And historically, propane autogas costs 30 to 40 percent less than gasoline."
The "Man Caves" utility van features Knapheide's KUV service body, Sortimo boxes, cases and accessories, adjustable shelves and dividers for easy reconfiguration depending on the project requirements, a cargo compartment with retention poles to hold sheet material and other over-sized parts and pieces, and a bed slide to help load and unload heavy equipment. The in-dash computer system features a computer screen and wireless keyboard, allowing the driver to function as though from an office.
For more details about the ROUSH CleanTech liquid propane-autogas-powered Ford E-350, visit www.switchtopropane.com/propane_e350.html. For more information about Knapheide's product offerings, visit www.knapheide.com. For more information about Ford's enhanced vehicle features, including the in-dash computer, visit www.fordworksolutions.com. For more information about the show, visit www.buildersshow.com.
More Sustainability

What Republic Services Learned Moving Electric Trucks Beyond the Pilot
With 250 electric refuse trucks now in service, Republic Services is learning that scaling a new powertrain depends as much on routes, drivers, technicians, and daily operations as it does on the truck itself.
Read More →
City Harvest Begins Using Volvo VNR Electric Trucks to Rescue Food Across New York City
Volvo Trucks North America and the Bronx Is Breathing project team handed over three new Volvo VNR Electric trucks to City Harvest, which will use the trucks to rescue and deliver food throughout the Bronx and across all five boroughs of New York.
Read More →
Volvo Trucks Wins International Truck of the Year 2027 for its Global Electric Range
Volvo Trucks' global heavy-duty electric range has been named International Truck of the Year 2027. Since 2019, more than 7,000 electric Volvo trucks have driven more than 310 million miles worldwide.
Read More →
Fleet Forward Conference Introduces One-Day Passes for 2026
New one-day registration gives fleet professionals the flexibility to attend Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, with passes available for $199 through Sept. 18.
Read More →
CALSTART Rebrands as Catalyst Mobility, Will Combine with Forth in 2027
CALSTART has rebranded as Catalyst Mobility and will combine with Forth at the start of 2027. The new organization said it is poised to become one of the world's largest, strongest, and most impactful clean transportation nonprofits.
Read More →
Electric Truck and Charging Programs to Boost Sustainability at NY & NJ Ports
Together, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and CALSTART will electrify drayage and terminal operations serving the East Coast’s busiest container port. A pair of incentive programs totaling $45 million has launched to accelerate adoption of zero-emission drayage trucks and terminal tractors.
Read More →
The Smart Way to Build a Mixed-Energy Fleet Isn’t About Picking a Side
Mixed-energy fleets aren’t about picking a winning fuel. Sarah Booth of WEX explains how vehicle data, duty cycles, charging strategy, and real-world costs can help fleets choose the right energy source for each job.
Read More →
Xos Hub Surpasses One Gigawatt-Hour of Energy Delivered in the Field
A single Xos Hub has surpassed one gigawatt-hour of energy across more than 33,600 charging sessions in the field, demonstrating performance that supports Xos' expansion across new products and markets.
Read More →
Carrier Transicold Launches All-Electric Vector 8200 TRU for Diesel-Free On-Site Cold Storage
Carrier Transicold’s first engineless multi-temperature TRU helps fresh- and frozen-food fleets add supplemental cold storage capacity during seasonal peaks.
Read More →
Narro Trucks Introduces Electric Utility Vehicle
Narro Trucks officially launched its operations on Aug. 20 and hosted a ride and drive to showcase its electric truck, which will be produced in Virginia.
Read More →


