Roush CleanTech in Livonia has begun production of its Gen 5 propane autogas fuel system, which offers a more environmentally friendly option and integrates Ford’s new 7.3L V-8 engine in Class 3-7 chassis.
“Roush CleanTech continues a 10-year journey of investing in new technology development with our Gen 5 propane fuel system,” says Todd Mouw, president of the company. “Our engineers have been working extensively to ensure that our propane fuel system marries seamlessly with the new Ford engine to give our fleet customers the best product on the market.”
Ford’s new engine is narrower than the previous 6.8L, allowing it to fit into multiple vehicle chassis and be serviced with similar automotive parts across each chassis. Innovations for the Gen 5 propane fuel system include stronger and lighter forged fuel rails and a support bracket that keeps the engine fuel distribution organized.
The engine is designed to meet current and future emissions requirements. Roush’s Gen 5 is certified to the California Air Resources Board’s optional low nitrogen oxide emissions standard of 0.05 grams per brake horsepower-hour. The system reduces greenhouse gas emissions, which helps optimize fuel efficiency, and can operate on renewable propane, which further reduces emissions and carbon intensity values.
Propane is a popular alternative fuel for commercial fleets due to the domestic fuel’s reduced costs and emissions.
“The new propane fuel system from Roush CleanTech is a prime example of the growing success of the propane autogas vehicle market,” says Tucker Perkins, president and CEO of the Propane Education & Research Council. “With propane autogas, fleets can lower their operating costs by 40 to 50 percent while helping their communities cut harmful emissions.”
The company has designed, engineered, manufactured, and installed advanced clean fuel systems since 2010, selling more than 37,000 vehicles across the United States and Canada. As a Tier 1 supplier and Ford Qualified Vehicle Modified manufacturer, Roush’s propane autogas vehicles retain all quality Ford performance characteristics such as horsepower, torque, and towing while maintaining the OEM factory warranty.
“We have a decade of customers operating over 20,000 propane vehicles, and we won’t leave them behind,” Mouw says. “We will continue to support our propane vehicles with 6.8L engines through our in-house customer service and hundreds of service centers across the nation.”
The system is now available. Roush develops propane autogas and electric propulsion technology for medium-duty Ford commercial vehicles and school buses.
