ROUSH CleanTech developed an extended range fuel tank for the Ford E-450 chassis, which allows transit agencies to make fewer trips to the pump. With 64 usable gallons of propane autogas, the new tank holds 56% more fuel than the standard 41-usable gallon tank option.

“We listened to our paratransit customers who wanted the Ford E-450 chassis, yet also needed more autogas fuel capacity,” said Todd Mouw, VP, sales and marketing. “With this extended range fuel tank, we offer the longest driving range for this model — plus an extended warranty for those customers.”

Built on Ford’s 6.8-liter V10 engine, the Ford E-450 with extended range fuel system comes with an extended five-year, 100,000-mile warranty exclusively for the transit industry.

Mich.’s Flint Mass Transportation Authority has incorporated 101 standard range tank E-450s since 2011. The transit agency, which pays 75 cents per gallon for propane, saves about $70,000 per vehicle in fuel and maintenance during their normal lifecycle of 10 years and 350,000 miles, compared to conventionally fueled counterparts.

Cleveland Regional Transit Authority recouped its investment of 20 Ford E-450 propane autogas-fueled shuttles and is now saving $21,000 in total operating costs. ROUSH CleanTech expects most customers will purchase the new larger-sized tank since it provides more range in addition to higher fuel cost savings.

Historically, propane autogas costs up to 40% less than gasoline and 50% less than diesel.

Each of the extended range shuttles will emit about 91,000 fewer pounds of carbon dioxide over its lifetime compared to conventionally fueled counterparts.

ROUSH CleanTech Ford E-450s are California Air Resources Board and Environmental Protection Agency compliant and have completed Federal Transit Administration’s New Model Bus Testing Program (Altoona Testing). Altoona-tested vehicles can be purchased using a transit agency’s FTA funds.

“With a strong backlog of more than 200 orders, we will begin shipping the Ford E-450 with the extended range fuel tank option in October 2015,” said Mouw.