US automaker Chrysler has started the production of Ram 2500 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) pickup trucks at its Saltillo Truck Assembly Plant, Mexico, US.
The 2012 Ram 2500 CNG, an OEM-built compressed natural gas-powered pickup truck is a bi-fuel vehicle that uses both CNG and regular unleaded gasoline.
Chrysler said the Ram 2500 CNG truck will automatically switch to gasoline when the CNG tanks are emptied.
The truck will be powered by a 5.7-litre HEMI V-8 engine that is expected to deliver a total output of 383 hp and torque of 400 lb.-ft.
In addition, the truck will also include two compressed gas storage tanks that offers a choice of 8- or 35-gallon gasoline fuel tanks.
The CNG-powered truck is expected to reduce the smog-producing pollutants up to 90% and achieve identical mileage as unleaded regular gasoline, with a retail cost more than 30% lower than the average price of a gallon of gasoline.
