The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) approved funds to pursue emissions certification for a direct-injection engine. The investment for Docket 20016, JTGhp High Pressure Liquid Propane Direct Injection System, was made to help move Icom’s direct-injection on-road vehicle engine through the emissions certification process, in pursuit of both EPA and CARB certifications.
The vehicle models featuring the Ford 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine will be the F-150 pickup truck and Taurus sedan. “Vehicle OEMs are moving to direct-injection technology due to the improvements it provides for horsepower, emissions, and fuel economy,” explained Tucker Perkins, PERC’s chief business development officer.
“Direct-injection engines fueled by propane autogas offer all of those benefits for performance and emissions, while providing the operator with a lower operating cost. Engine designers will find that propane autogas enhances the benefits of direct-injection technology; users will see the financial benefits; and the technology will eventually migrate to a host of applications, both on road and off road. This is one more step forward in technology being applied to showcase the benefits of using a clean American energy like propane,” he added.
In other business, the Council heard a report on research that showed that consumer perceptions of propane improved in areas where the PERC Consumer Safety Preparedness Campaign ran last year.
Source: PERC