11/28/08 A new pickup truck fuel?

We continue to see a drop in fuel prices again this month. But they could go back up and those high pump prices are part of the reason Roush engineers designed a pickup truck that will run on propane. LEITMAN "Propane hasn't gone up as much as some of the motor fuels so there's a great opportunity here to reap some environmental benefits and save some fuels costs." Mark Leitman is with the Propane Education and Research Council or PERC. Leitman says the propane fuel is cheaper and the truck leaves a smaller carbon footprint than gasoline powered trucks, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 19 percent according to PERC's study. And there's also a tax credit benefit. LEITMAN "The Roush F-150 is eligible for a 25 hundred dollar tax credit on the incremental cost of the vehicle versus the gasoline equivalent so there's an advantage that farmers can put to work for them right away." The engine used on the propane truck was a 5.6 liter V-8. The liquid propane injection system includes dedicated propane fuel lines, fuel rail assembly and fuel tank and re-calibrating the vehicle's computer. LEITMAN "We're continuing to look at options to put this engine and this technology in other vehicles, heavier duty trucks." For more information on the Roush propane-fueled truck visit www dot propanetruck dot us. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott