Venchurs Vehicle Systems (VVS) has developed a unique approach to promoting natural gas vehicles, whereby fleet operators can apply to take part in a short-term loaner program to test Ford F-250s and F-350s that VVS has converted to run on compressed natural gas (CNG).

"We've put our trucks through rigorous testing, and this demo program is important so that fleet managers themselves can directly see the capabilities these trucks have," says Jeff Wyatt, CEO of Venchurs.

The nationwide demonstration fleet program applies to both CNG bi-fuel F-250s and F-350s and CNG-only vehicles. The bi-fuel system allows for seamless "on-the-fly" switching between CNG and gasoline, offering a total range of up to 650 miles, VVS says. The system results in almost no reduction in power, so standard towing and hauling capacities remain in effect.

"The benefits of CNG are immense, and integrating alternative energy vehicles into a fleet is a big decision," says Terry Karges, vice president of sales and marketing for VVS. "We believe that our system is so seamless, and the cost/benefit is so positive, that most fleet operators will make the switch after trying one of these trucks - so we're putting them on the road."