Chevy heavy duty Silverado trucks get compressed natural gas option
by CanadianManufacturing.com Staff
With the additional separate CNG tank, Silverado HD bi-fuel models have a total range of up to 1046 kilometres
CHICAGO—Chevrolet has added compressed natural gas-powered models to its bi-fuel Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD trucks for the 2015 model year.
With CNG currently priced about 62 per cent less per gallon than gasoline, a work truck driven 26,000 miles a year can save more than $2,000 annually based on 75-percent CNG usage and comparable efficiency to gasoline, according to Chevrolet.
The CNG option is available on all Silverado 2500HD configurations and Silverado 3500HD models with single rear wheels.
The 2500HD double cab and crew cab models are on sale now, with 2500HD regular cab and all 3500HD models going on sale in July.
With an additional separate CNG tank, Silverado HD bi-fuel models have a total range of up to 1046 kilometres.
When equipped with a 4.10 axle ratio, the maximum conventional tow rating is 5896 kilograms on gas or CNG and GM’s five-year powertrain limited warranty covers CNG fuel systems.
The unique version of the 6.0L engine features special hardened valves and valve seats to run on CNG or gasoline. Rated at 360 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque on gas, the engine gets 301 horsepower and 333 lb-ft of torque on CNG.
A separate CNG fuel tank enables the driver to switch between fuels at the flip of a switch. When the CNG tank is depleted, the system automatically switches to gasoline. GM’s tier-one supplier installs the CNG fuel tank and complementing fuel system upgrades at a secondary location. Chevrolet dealers deliver the trucks as they would with any optional content.
