The latest approval in this field was handed by the EPA to the Liquid Injection Propane bi-fuel systems developed by Icom North America for the Ford Econoline vans and the 6.8l gasoline engines which go into them.
This means that the E-250, E-350 and E-450 platforms from both 2010 and 2011 models years can now be converted to run on this bi-fuel. As a side note, the Icom system is the first bi-fuel engine system using liquid propane injection approved by the environmental watchdog.
“We believe propane is the most energy-efficient and practical alternative fuel currently available,” said Ralph Perpetuini, Icom CEO.
"Coupled with gasoline in a bi-fuel engine, propane gives fleet owners the option of refueling with either fuel, providing extended range. This is ideal for the fleet user who has numerous delivery vehicles, including those with small fleets at many locations.”
According to Icom, their system has been used for the past few years in buses, trucks and other commercial vehicles. 120,000 of them have been using the bi-fuel system since 2004, says Icom.
“When utilizing the Icom JTG system, drivability, performance and torque are equal to or better than gasoline,” added Albert Venezio, Icom chairman.
The push for the use of bi-fuel systems in the US is increasing, as the country seeks to reduce its dependence on foreign oil, so its likely more and more similar announcements will be made in the near future.
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