Chrysler Builds CNG RAM Pickup for 2012
Tim Esterdahl | Feb 07, 2012 | Comments 6
Chrysler plans to introduce a compressed natural gas (CNG) RAM pickup for sale in 2012. This pickup will compete with other manufactures and be another way for the U.S. energy needs to be less dependent on fossil fuels.
Chrysler has announced plans to introduce a CNG powered Ram Pickup in 2012.
This isn’t the first time that car manufacturers have produced alternative fueled vehicles to consumers. Several years ago, Chrysler, GM and Ford each built CNG editions of their large work vehicles. Currently, GM sells CNG-fueled vans, Ford offers alternative fuel in its biggest trucks and Chrysler has been contemplating the move for about a year.
Technology has changed a lot over the last 10 years with the estimated cost of the new fuel system for a CNG truck assessed around $3,000 while figures are calculated at $3,300 for diesel and more than $8,000 for hybrid models. However, vehicles fueled with diesel do achieve better gas mileage than regular gas engines whereas CNG fueled engines do not produce results as high.
Consumers would be able to save financially from CNG’s reduced cost, which is about $2.60 a gallon compared to Diesel’s average of 50 cents more a gallon than regular gasoline. Therefore, owners of large vehicle fleets could wind up saving about a dollar for each gallon of fuel and savings that great could really add up.
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Filed Under: Auto News
great idea – if you can save a buck for every gallon of gas, I’m in.
Does anyone make a retrofit kit for the Tundra? At 2.60 a gallon that could pay for itself if gas prices continue to rise.
mk – I agree – why aren’t more automakers pursuing this instead of hybird cars? Seems like with our nearly unlimited supply of natural gas in North America, this is a great way to gain energy independence.
Brian J – Not sure, but it warrants investigation. We’ll see what we can find.
If I am not mistaken, doesn’t CNG have less energy per unit than gasoline? If so, a gallon will cost less, but also give you less mileage. I thought the big benefit to CNG was cleaner burning and less dependance on foreign oil… not better mileage or cheaper fuel source.
Either way, I am sure that larger fleets will look into this. I work for the county government and I know I have seen retrofitted pickups (possibly Ford?) with CNG and know that we have county fuel pumps that can handle it. Seems logical that my gov’t might buy a couple of these… price permitting.
Mike – Excellent point. I believe that CNG has about 25% less energy density, but that still works out to a “push” if gas is $3.50 or more.
I agree with you that larger fleets will adopt CNG, especially if the government offers some sort of incentive.
Mike,
CNG is measured in GGE (gallon of gas equivalent) so the price comparison is real. NG out of your home pipe cost about $.60 per therm. 1.25 therms is the same energy as 1 gallon of gas (or GGE) so you would pay even less if you could use it from home. But alas it must be compressed and that cost money too. To get it from a dispenser will cost about $2.00 per GGE around here and really honestly save me about 1/2 of the cost of gas.