General Motorsis unveiling its 2013 bi-fuel—gasoline and compressed natural gas (CNG)—Chevrolet Silveradoand GMC Sierra2500 HD extended-cab pickups at this week’s National Truck Equipment Assn.’s Work Truck Show in Indianapolis. Pricing will be revealed in April when customers may begin placing orders, noted GM.
The trucks boast a CNG- capable Vortec 6.0L V8 enginethat GM said “seamlessly transitions between CNG and gasoline fuel systems.” The trucks offer a range of more than 650 mi. The extended-cab Silverados and Sierras will be available in standard and long box versions, with either two- or four-wheel drive.
“The bi-fuel Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra provide customers with choices in advanced propulsion technology, and because CNG is a clean-burning, domestically produced fuel, it has wide appeal,” said Ed Peper, general manager of GM Fleet and Commercial Operations.
GM noted it is the only manufacturer to offer a single-source option for its gaseous fuel vehicles. The bi-fuel trucks are built with a specially designed engine, the fuel system is installed by GM’s Tier One supplier and the completed vehicle is delivered directly to the customer. That process, said the OEM, “makes ordering the bi-fuel option as seamless and efficient as a standard vehicle.”
“The bi-fuel truck provides businesses with added re-fueling flexibility and eases consumer range concerns that typically come with CNG, all while reducing emissions and controlling costs,” said Joyce Mattman, director of GM Commercial Product and Specialty Vehicles. “This turnkey ordering process, combined with the best warranty in the industry for a commercial product, makes our bi-fuel truck an attractive option, especially for commercial customers.”
The bi-fuel commercial pickups will be covered by GM’s three-year, 36,000-mi. new vehicle limited warranty and five-year, 100,000-mi. limited powertrain warranty and vehicle emissions warranty, meeting all Environmental Protection Agencyand California Air Resources Board emissions certification requirements. According to GM, this is the most extensive warranty offered by any manufacturer on commercial products.
The trucks will be built in Fort Wayne, IN, and then sent to the Tier One supplier for installation of the CNG bi-fuel delivery and storage system, said GM, which noted the entire gaseous fuel system meets GM’s strict quality, durability, safety testing and is covered under the extensive warranty.
