WASHINGTON, D.C. – PERC has approved a propane engine fuel project that will ultimately lead to the commercialization of a dedicated propane-powered Ford F-150 pickup truck. The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) researches and develops new and more efficient propane equipment, and expands public awareness of propane and its many uses and environmental advantages.

PERC selected Roush Industries to design, engineer, and build the vehicle. The dedicated, propane-only vehicle will be a fully warranted product. The product will be ready in the third quarter of 2007.

Using liquid injection provides increased air charge and a cold dense mixture into the combustion chamber, resulting in no loss in horsepower or torque compared to the gasoline 5.4L. A new design billet fuel rail with industry standard DEKA II combines the high strength of billet aluminum with the precise control of liquid injection. Based on customer surveys and discussions, the Roush Dedicated Liquid Propane Injection F-150 will be equipped with either the standard underbody toroidal fuel tank or an extended-range in-bed tank.

The Roush Propane F-150 is a dedicated propane fuel vehicle. All of the gasoline components are replaced with propane-specific parts, including adding a propane fuel tank, special fuel lines, a new fuel rail assembly, and new propane-specific fuel injectors. The vehicle computer is re-calibrated to provide the optimum performance and fuel economy available from propane. The Roush propane-fuelled F-150 will have a maintenance schedule very similar to the gasoline engine schedule, with no special oils or change intervals.