Icom North America, Menards Team Up For Propane Autogas Vehicles
NEW HUDSON -- Icom North America, a developer, integrator and manufacturer of liquid-injection propane systems for commercial and consumer vehicles, announced an installation program for 140 propane autogas Ford F150 pickup trucks for use by Menards home improvement stores.
The vehicles will serve 36 Menards locations throughout Illinois and at Menards' Eau Claire West store in Wisconsin.
Icom North America also recently received 15 new Environmental Protection Agency certifications covering more than 100 different 2012-2013 model-year GM and Ford vehicle platforms for its patented JTG II Propane Liquid Injection bi-fuel and dedicated systems.
In addition, Icom is introducing an innovative Propane Optimization Process that maximizes propane use by preventing driver override. The option provides optimal savings for commercial fleets, while allowing the use of gasoline in the absence of propane for extended range.
Icom-trained installer Metro Motors of Cicero, Ill., is performing the installations.
The patented Icom JTG II Liquid Injection Propane System will provide Menards vehicles with excellent performance and drivability, producing significant cost savings for the company. The project will potentially expand to other Midwest-based Menards stores, providing a greener, more efficient fleet for the home improvement retailer committed to using propane as an alternative fuel.
"The Icom-Menards project clearly identifies what strides can be made when a large national fleet works in close cooperation with companies like Icom North America, CleanFUEL USA and Ferrellgas," said Albert Venezio, chairman of Icom North America.
"We're glad to be advancing our company forward into this growing market since propane is a cleaner burning fuel and less expensive, so it's a win-win for everyone," added Menards spokesman Jeff Abbott.
Icom's JTG II system is now available for approximately 600 vehicle platforms, the most of any propane vehicle system in the U.S. market.
Icom North America's new Propane Optimization Process enables propane autogas vehicles to function with gasoline as a backup for extended range. It eliminates manual override to gasoline while propane is still present on board.
"Fleets benefit from maximum use of inexpensive clean propane," said Icom's Venezio. "Icom Liquid Injection, bi-fuel and POP are a winning combination for fleets."
Ralph Perpetuini, CEO of Icom North America, also noted that "Propane is the most viable and interesting automotive alternative fuel available on the market today. The Icom technology will allow fleets to have the leading edge not only in terms of performance and reliability, but also have the benefit of immediate savings and greener environment."
Propane continues to have a cost advantage, with more than 95 percent of the nation's propane coming from U.S sources.
Since 2004, Icom North America has been supplying its patented JTG liquid-injection propane systems to leading bus, truck and commercial vehicle manufacturers in the United States.
Approximately 150,000 vehicles worldwide have been equipped with the Icom JTG Propane System since 2004. JTG II includes an enhanced multi-valve for rapid filling and an integrated fuel pump for ease of service.
More at www.icomnorthamerica.com or www.menards.com .
