GM’s CNG-dedicated vans available to fleets this fall

July 14, 2010
According to General Motors, it has finalized the production process for its Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powered Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana full-size vans. The OEM said this means it will be able to deliver to fleet customers complete vehicles with a fully integrated and dedicated CNG fuel system this fall

According to General Motors, it has finalized the production process for its Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powered Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana full-size vans. The OEM said this means it will be able to deliver to fleet customers complete vehicles with a fully integrated and dedicated CNG fuel system this fall.

GM has chosen Productive Concepts (PCI) to integrate the CNG fuel systems into the vans. The vans will meet all Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board (CARB) emission certification requirements, said GM, and they will be fully compliant with applicable motor vehicle safety standards.

Each CNG van will begin with GM’s Vortec 6.0L V8 engine. GM said its engineers modified this power plant with hardened exhaust valves, and intake and exhaust valve seats for improved wear resistance and durability with gaseous fuel systems. The “hardened” engines will then be assembled into the Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vans at GM’s Wentzville, MO plant.

Once the CNG system is integrated into the vans at PCI, they can be shipped to many specialty vehicle manufacturers to have commercial equipment added, or directly to GM dealers.

The CNG vans will be covered by GM’s three-year/ 36,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty and five-year/ 100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty.

GM pointed out it had announced in May that it would be the only manufacturer to offer a “one-source van CNG” option. “Our focus from the beginning has been to offer fleet customers a simple ‘check the box’ approach with our CNG Chevrolet Express and Savana vans,” said Brian Small, gm of GM Fleet and Commercial Operations. “Our robust production process is a key enabler and certainly separates us from any competitive offering.”

Sponsored Recommendations

Way Beyond Weight: 5 Ways Truck Weights Affect Fleet Operations

Truck weights affect everything from highway safety and operational costs to back-office efficiency. Here’s how.

Heavy-Duty Maintenance Checklist

A maintenance checklist can help ensure you hit everything necessary during an inspection. Check out our free downloadable checklist to help streamline your repairs.

Five Ways a Little Data Can Save Your Company Millions

While most trucking and logistics companies rely on cellular to keep their work fleet connected, satellite has the ability to connect anywhere and through small data transmission...

Fleet Case Study: 15% YOY Growth for ITDS

Learn how this small trucking company scaled significantly and maintained outstanding customer service without adding additional people. Sylectus TMS can automate operations and...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of FleetOwner, create an account today!