ICOM NORTH AMERICA EARNS EPA CERTIFICATIONS FOR FORD BI-FUEL PROPANE ENGINES

NEW HUDSON, Mich. – Icom North America, the leading innovator, developer and manufacturer of liquid injection propane systems for commercial and consumer vehicles, has earned eight additional U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certifications for its patented JTG II Propane Liquid Injection bi-fuel systems for 2009 through 2012 model year Ford light-duty trucks equipped with 5.4- and 4.6-liter engines.

Icom expects additional EPA certifications for other popular fleet vehicles and engines shortly.

These certifications allow Icom to convert applicable Ford truck 5.4- and 4.6-liter gasoline vehicles for the E-150, E250, E350, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator platforms covering the 2009 through 2012 model years for propane bi-fuel use.  The certification potentially covers more than 300,000 vehicles, mostly focused on Ford Econoline vans.

Since 2004, Icom North America has been supplying its patented JTG liquid-injection propane mono-fuel systems to leading bus, truck and commercial vehicle manufacturers in the U.S.  Icom has already achieved two EPA certifications for Ford 6.8-liter, bi-fuel E250, E350 and E450 vehicles.

JTG II includes an enhanced multivalve for rapid filling and an integrated fuel pump for ease of service.

“We believe propane is the most energy-efficient and practical alternative fuel currently available, and it is a domestic fuel source” said Ralph Perpetuini, CEO, Icom North America.

            "Icom JTG II bi-fuel systems allow the vehicles to operate on propane almost primarily with gasoline as a back-up source as well as for extended range.”

             Albert Venezio, chairman, Icom North America, said, “The 10 EPA certifications Icom has achieved to date cover almost 50 popular Ford light-truck platforms which allow wide coverage for fleets.”

            Currently, propane fuel is used primarily on commercial vehicles.  Icom’s proprietary vehicle-conversion systems could be used on any gasoline fuel-injected car or truck, including shuttles, vans, hybrids, taxis, police vehicles or passenger cars.  Icom’s patented JTG liquid-propane injection application is a fully-integrated, mono-fuel or bi-fuel engine system designed in harmony with OEM gasoline engines.

             “When utilizing the Icom JTG system, drivability, performance and torque are equal to or better than gasoline,” Venezio said.

As gasoline prices rise, propane continues to have a cost advantage, with more than 95 percent of the nation’s propane coming from U.S. and the balance from Canadian sources, further reducing dependence on foreign oil.  In certain U.S. states, fleet owners benefit from tax credits or rebates as well.

            More than 120,000 vehicles worldwide have utilized the Icom JTG Propane System since 2004.