Truck fans who love the F-150 but are looking for alternative-fuel options, will have a host of reasons to get excited for the 2014 model year. The 2014 Ford F-150 will be available with an engine having the ability to run on compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

Not only is this new fuel option for the Ford F-150 in addition to a line of efficient conventional gasoline engines, including the 3.5-liter EcoBoost® V6, but it also makes the F-150 the only half-ton pickup on the market that can be ordered directly from the automaker with an engine able to run on LPG or CNG.

What is LPG and CNG? You are probably familiar with both; LPG is liquid propane gas, and CNG is compressed natural gas. Propane is used for heaters and to fuel stoves and other appliances in motorhomes, and also as a home fuel. Natural gas is widely used in homes to fuel stoves, water heaters, heaters and so on.

A primary motivation for using CNG as a vehicle fuel is price. Currently, CNG sells for an average of $2.11 per gallon of gasoline equivalent, and can go as low as $1 in some parts of the country. With the national average for unleaded regular fuel at $3.66 per gallon, that represents a significant savings over conventional fuel.

Ordering a 2014 Ford F-150 with the CNG/LPG engine will first provide a factory prep so it can operate on either natural gas or gasoline through separate fuel systems. Post-factory work done by a Ford Qualified Vehicle Modifier will supply fuel tanks, fuel lines and unique fuel injectors to complete the process.

In the next year, Ford will have eight vehicles available with a gaseous-prep option to run on CNG/LPG.