Roush is offering its propane autogas system on model year 2013 or newer Ford chassis with 6.8-liter, V10 engines. A 2011 Ford F-59 strip chassis shown here.

Roush CleanTech is now offering its propane autogas fuel system on Ford F-59, F-53 and E-450 stripped chassis. “With excellent vehicle range and affordable price points, these platforms are a home run for hub and spoke model fleets,” says sales and marketing Todd Mouw.

Roush is taking orders now for production and delivery commencing in May. Indiana’s Green Alternative Systems (Booth 4593), a Ford QVM – for Qualified Vehicle Modifier – is the lead installer.

“We’ve experienced high demand for alternative fuel options,” says GAS general manager Sean Connolly.

The Ford F-59 commercial step van chassis and the Ford E-450 stripped chassis adapt to numerous fleet delivery applications, Roush says, including bakery, textile, multi-stop package delivery service, linen and medical services. The F-53 offers a flexible commercial platform for trolleys and lunch trucks.

All three strip chassis models “fulfill certification requirements in all 50 states by the California Air Resources Board and Environmental Protection Agency and achieve the same torque, towing and horsepower as conventionally fueled models,” Roush says.

The Roush-modified Ford F-53 and F-59 feature Ford’s 6.8-liter, V10 engine and come with a 67-gallon propane fuel tank. The Ford E-450 stripped chassis comes with a 41-gallon propane tank.

“The size and cargo capabilities of all three platforms are customizable for specific business vehicle applications,” Roush says. An early adopter of the F-59 stripped chassis includes the City of Laguna Beach, Calif., for propane-powered city trolleys.

The stripped chassis in propane “can help companies save $35,000 or more in fuel and operating expenses over the vehicle’s lifetime,” says Mouw. “And whether fleets use public fueling stations or install onsite private refueling, they’ll find refueling is inexpensive and easy.”

Trucks based on the strip chassis and equipped with dedicated propane autogas fuel systems offer 40 to 50% lower operating costs, Roush says.

Propane autogas has historically priced 30 to 40% less than gasoline and 50% less than diesel, and is “readily available through the largest nationwide network of refueling infrastructure of any alternative fuel option.” A newly reinstated federal tax credit provides an additional 50¢-per-gallon savings on fuel.