Read it here: The 2012 Ram 2500 Heavy Duty CNG

Dodge is now the only manufacturer offering a compressed natural gas truck from the factory with their announcement of the 2500 Heavy Duty CNG. The truck can actually switch between CNG and gasoline while retaining most of its usefulness. They won't be available for consumers though, making these trucks a commercial and fleet only affair.

 

The Ram 2500 bi-fuel pickup will be powered by a 5.7-liter Hemi engine that can run on both compressed natural gas and regular gas, said a person familiar with the plan but who was not authorized to speak publicly about the truck. It will be built at Chrysler's plant in Saltillo, Mexico.

Ram is to hold a news conference today in Indianapolis at the 2012 Work Truck Show.

General Motors said Monday it plans to begin offering later this year Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra heavy-duty pickups that run on either gasoline or compressed natural gas (CNG). Using both fuels, the GM trucks will offer a range of more than 650 miles.

 

Pretty sure that Chevy just announced that they will be selling factory cng Silverados - to the public. Chevy also already offers CNG fleet vans from the factory.

http://www.clickondetroit.com/money/...5/-/index.html
http://www.gmfleet.com/compressed-na...|_CNG_HV_|_cng

 

If a private party could get one,they could run on CNG til they ran out then switch to gas til they found a CNG station alonc the way.Wonder what the range is on CNG vs. gas per fill-up?

 

There is a thread on this forum by a guy who had a dual fuel cng system added to his 1500. I think he has that sort of info there

 

The numbers I heard were 4.5 ft bed space. Under 1600 lbs payload and 7600 lbs towing. Combine that with a 350 mile range for a FAIL. If the number I heard are correct, this truck appears to be nothing but a way to get more Obama money.

 

CNG should be an affordable option in a short time if it is decided to proceed in that direction. Things that will have to be figured out include maintenance/durability with CNG, availability of CNG fueling stations, resolution of fracking issues, and range of vehicles. Once these have been taken care of then the cost of the conversion/vehicle and cost of the compressor stations should come down dramatically. Another thing to think of is longevity of the vehicles, if we plan to trade or change vehicles every 2 to 4 years it probably won't be worth it but if we look at it like buying a diesel and having to keep the vehicle for 5+ years and maybe 200K then it would be worth it. We need to keep in mind the cleanliness of CNG also and look really close at the expense of and pollution produced by making and burning ethanol.

 

350 mile total gas/cng or 350 mile for the cng only? If you could add 350 miles worth of cng miles to the 400-500 mile gas range I'd be all over it - assuming you could find a place to fill and that the price adder for the dual fuel was not high.

FWIW - I don't think I've seen anything where Obama has supported any sort of fossil fuel, even cng.

 

It is 255 miles on CNG and 350 TOTAL CNG and gas. Gas tank = 8 gal capacity. These could be manageable numbers with sufficient CNG fueling stations.

 

+1

8 gal gas plus CNG. So 350 miles and your are walking. More like 300 miles usable range.