Current US gas prices are such that a gallon of gasoline is 62 percent more expensive than compressed natural gas (or CNG, a resource which has mostly run out in accessible pockets and is now exploited almost exclusively by perilous shale fracturing more commonly known as fracking – it therefore has the potential to be far more polluting than the regular culprits).
However, it’s still regarded as being cleaner burning while also being cheaper than regular gasoline, so there’s a demand for it; that demand brought about the creation of the CNG-fueled versions of the new 2015 Chevy Silverado pickup.
The manufacturer promises savings of up to $2,000 per year over a conventionally powered Silverado fitted with the same six-liter V8 engine if it’s run on the alternative for at least 75 percent of the time. CNG capability, in-built from the factory, allows the vehicle to operate on both gasoline and compressed gas depending on need and availability.
Ed Peper, US vice president, General Motors Fleet and Commercial commented:
“With CNG capability to be offered on all Silverado HD cab configurations, customers have a wider range of choices when it comes to selecting the alternatively fueled truck that matches their needs. And for companies and municipalities that maintain multiple trucks in their fleet, the fuel cost savings of CNG can really add up in a year.”
CNG can be had on all 2500 models and 3500 models with single rear wheels, though, not all are available for order now, as some will make their debut later, in July.
All bi-fuel trucks come with a five-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty and it includes all of the CNG system components too.
By Andrei Nedelea
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