What if I told you that right now there is full-size pickup truck available in the North American market that is as affordable to operate as a mid-size sedan and delivers a 25% GHG reduction over conventional fuels such as gasoline and diesel. The Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Bi-Fuel is capable of running on natural gas for approximately 50 cents per liter with not much more then water vapour coming out of the tailpipe. Anyone looking to reduce fuel costs and contribute to a cleaner environment – look no further – the future is here and it’s convenient.
North America is amidst natural gas (NG) renaissance in various sectors, with transportation receiving the most attention. This is not by coincidence and not surprising given the abundant natural gas deposits discovered in the Eastern United States driving the price down to an all-time low. Large fleets only need half a loonie to buy a liter of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).
Natural Gas is safe, clean, affordable and promising to deliver stable pricing well into the 2020’s. And since it’s a North American fuel, ensuring the security of supply is infinitely simpler then sourcing supply from alternative off-shore markets. Both Canada and the US share a robust natural gas transmission and distribution network. As a matter of fact, most of us living in Canadian urban areas have access to natural gas right at home. Today, natural gas is the preferred choice for home heating, cooking, cloth drying, pool heating and BBQ grilling. Connecting a Vehicle Refueling Appliance (VRA) at home is as simple as plugging in the BBQ.
As traditional automotive fuels (gasoline and diesel) continue the unrelenting climb in price and given the lack of proven electric technology available for the medium and heavy-duty fleets, Natural Gas retains the top podium as the next market-ready alternative fuel. Fleet operators can purchase CNG at $.50 – $.60/L and operate the truck with a 25% reduction in Green House Gas (GHG) emissions.
GM is not alone in the pursuit of cleaner fueling options for this important vehicle sector. The top 3 North American automotive manufacturers have developed CNG options for their top-selling trucks. In the medium-duty sector, GM, Ford, and Dodge can be purchased as a dedicated CNG, CNG ready or factory authorized converted by dedicated conversion providers. The heavy-duty sector is also well represented by leading manufacturers such as Volvo, Freightliner, Kenworth, and International running the proven 4th generation Westport Cumins 6L, 9L and 12L engines.
Today, you can walk into any GM dealer, place your money on a factory prepared pick-up truck or a cargo van starting at $40,000 with a full factory warranty and the flexibility of running on either compressed natural gas or gasoline. At a combined range of 1,200 km, mileage is not an issue, an anxiety often associated with emerging alternative clean propulsion technologies such as battery electric.
Take this well-appointed (for a work truck) 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 LT bi-fuel – a vehicle I lived with for 8 months on my daily 150 km commute in the busy Greater Toronto Area of Ontario. So before I get into the details, one thing is undeniable – running on compressed natural gas is cheap. Period. While regular gas hovers around $1.40 per liter, CNG holds stable at $.60 per liter.
(Editor’s Note: This article was written in 2014, so it’s interesting to look back from today – 2018 – the same holds true. Gas is still at $1.40/L and CNG is available for $0.50/L)
So what is it like to live with the big Chevy for 8 months?
Well, surprising uneventful. And when it comes to this class of vehicle, ‘uneventful’ is a good trait. Work vehicles should first and foremost deliver rugged reliability and dependability. They need to be inexpensive to operate. Comfort for occupants is often perceived as a bonus rather than necessity. There are many road tests that speak to the comfort, function, and performance of the Silverado in LT trim. The CNG version performs exactly the same as the gasoline or the diesel siblings. It looks drives and feels exactly the same. The only visual cues are the CNG cylinders in the back of the cab and a gauge on the dashboard showing CNG fuel level.
The LT trim in my pickup had all the must-have appointments for a truck destined for construction sites and the relentless anticipated beating by both workers and tools. All new cabs and interiors are now available with increased comfort and extensive storage space tailored to the way customers use full-size trucks.
I was pleasantly surprised to find the interior fitted with comfortable adequately adjustable seats. Infotainment system comes with Chevrolet MyLink, which provides powerful connectivity for work or family with simple, intuitive controls. Integrated cruise control and Auto Grade Braking comes standard to help make trailering easier. An especially welcome safety feature is the standard StabiliTrak with Trailer Sway Control on all models, including 3500HD ‘duallys’. Climate control delivers plenty of hot or cold air when needed. Compared to the harsh construction environments, Silverado’s interior is a much-welcomed retreat. As a matter of fact, I often used the cabin as my mobile office with plenty of laptop space and enough room to stretch out for a decent nap at rest stops during extended business trips.
With the 2500 Silverado LT Bi-Fuel, GM takes a deliberate aim at fleet operators looking for a proven workhorse that’s easy on their operating budgets. Owner/Operators tend to shy away from vehicles equipped with fancy options recognizing that such options end up costing more money in lifecycle maintenance costs. This big truck makes no apologies for its spartan environment as offers just enough comfort to make daily life a breeze and keep the fleet manager happy.
Safety features such as Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning with an Active Safety Seat, and Front and Rear Park Assist are available on the 2015 Silverado HD. Head-curtain and seat-mounted side airbags are standard on 2500 models and available on 3500 models.
Models equipped with CNG system add cargo tie-downs on the tank cover and a single fuel gauge that displays fuel levels for gasoline and CNG.
The factory delivered bi-fuel/CNG truck arrives with a $9,500 sticker premium. The gaseous option is available on Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD pickups. Sorry, but no 4-wheel drive available at the time of this article. Conservatively, most operators will realize less than 3-year payback on the incremental CNG investment. This is based on fuel savings alone and does not consider that most CNG vehicles run cleaner, longer and return 20-30% savings in maintenance costs.
With all that said, who should run to their dealer (and gas company) with a deposit on the capable Silverado? Well, the Bi-Fuel Chevy is ideal for:
People like you and I who like the size and utility of a pick-up truck, but can’t afford the $150/week fuel bill, CNG could be for you… provided your annual commute is over 30,000 km.
For courier fleets such as Canada Post, UPS, and FedEx – fleets that return to home base and can conveniently time refuel overnight and be ready to go the next morning.
For service and utility companies operating large fleets of pick-ups and vans – Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc. operates over 600 dedicated CNG or bi-fuel vehicles.
For municipal fleet engaged in servicing building, parks, and infrastructure. Today most municipalities already use CNG for Refuse trucks and many operate their transit fleets using natural gas.
If you live on this planet, chances are you are aware of this little problem facing humanity called climate change. Extreme weather events, droughts, cold winters, hot winters, historic fires and melting poles are all too real. While we are hoping for technology and innovation to solve the environmental crisis with a wave of a magic wand – chances are a transition to a cleaner transportation future will take a more incremental approach. I anticipate and predict that the vast majority of future drives (engines) will be electric, with internal combustion engine occupying the specialized market reserved for remote operations. However, the debate continues as to the fuel source that will power the electric motor. Some experts are betting on batteries while others are betting on gaseous fuels such as CNG, Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) or Hydrogen Fuel Cell. No matter the final outcome, there are vehicles available today that immediately reduce GHG emissions and do not carry a price penalty. The time is now, and while the Chevrolet Silverado Bi-Fuel won’t solve all world’s climate change problems by itself, this cleaner running truck along with friends from Ford and Dodge are doing their part. With millions of trucks sold in North America and the abundance of safe, inexpensive, and clean natural gas, reducing CO2 emissions by over 20% can be achieved today.
GM Canada Site:
http://www.gm.ca/gm/english/vehicles/chevrolet/silverado-2500/overview
GM Site
http://www.chevrolet.com/culture/article/bi-fuel-silverado-natural-gas.html
Press Release
http://www.autoblog.com/2014/02/06/2015-chevrolet-silverado-hd-cng-official/
2015 Silverado HDs Run Cleaner, Save Money on CNG
Available, cleaner-burning CNG-capable 6.0L engine expands to all 2500HD and 3500HD cab styles
Can enable fuel-cost savings of more than $2,000 annually
OEM-validated CNG system covered by GM’s factory powertrain limited warranty
CHICAGO – Chevrolet’s expanded availability of bi-fuel versions of the new 2015 Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD trucks give customers and fleet managers more choices for cleaner-burning compressed natural gas-powered models – and savings at the pump.
With CNG currently priced about 62 percent less per gallon than gasoline, a work truck that driven 26,000 miles a year can save more than $2,000 annually based on 75-percent CNG usage and comparable efficiency to gasoline.
“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,” said Ed Peper, U.S. Vice President, General Motors Fleet and Commercial. “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.”
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 the additional driving range enabled by a separate CNG tank, Silverado HD bi-fuel models have a total range of up to 650 miles, meaning less time needed for fill-ups. When equipped with a 4.10 axle ratio, the maximum conventional trailering rating is 13,000 pounds on gas or CNG.
GM warrants and validates the fuel systems of the 2015 Silverado HD bi-fuel trucks. GM’s five-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty covers CNG fuel systems. All major components associated with the CNG system also carry GM service part numbers, for availability throughout the largest dealer network in the United States. That’s not the case with some other manufacturers’ available bi-fuel trucks.
“Silverado bi-fuel pickups are available through any of Chevrolet’s more than 3,000 dealerships across America just like any other model,” said Peper. “It’s one of the industry’s most seamless integration of OEM-delivered CNG vehicles.”
The unique version of the 6.0L engine – identified by an LC8 engine code – features special hardened valves and valve seats that enable it to run on CNG or gasoline. It is rated at 360 horsepower (268 kW) and 380 lb-ft of torque (515 Nm) on gas, and 301 horsepower (225 kW) and 333 lb-ft of torque (452 Nm) 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.
CNG is cleaner burning than conventional gasoline or diesel. Today, most of the natural gas used in the U.S. comes from domestic or other North American sources. Depending on their usage habits, many customers can recoup the incremental investment in CNG vehicles within a few years, and the lower fuel cost enables a significant reduction in daily operating costs.
New Silverado HDs
The new 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD are engineered to be stronger and smarter than before, delivering the capability heavy-duty truck customers demand, with greater refinement for more comfort and confidence on the job and on the road.
Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD models come in Work Truck (WT), LT and LTZ trims, and are offered in regular cab, double cab and crew cab configurations. The regular cab comes only in WT and LT trims. The new double cab model replaces the previous extended cab and features forward-hinged rear doors, which allow easier access to the back seat, especially in tight parking spaces.
The trucks are available with all-new, stronger 6’6″and 8′ cargo boxes with standard CornerStep bumpers, EZ Lift-and-Lower tailgates, and other features to ease cargo handling. Available updates for 2015 include:
All new cabs and interiors with increased comfort and extensive storage space tailored to the way customers use full-size trucks.
Chevrolet MyLink, which provides powerful connectivity for work or family with simple, intuitive controls
Integrated cruise control and Auto Grade Braking to help make trailering easier
Standard StabiliTrak with Trailer Sway Control on all models, including 3500HD duallys.
Models equipped with CNG system add cargo tie-downs on the tank cover and a single fuel gauge that displays fuel levels for gasoline and CNG.
Safety features such as Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning with an Active Safety Seat, and Front and Rear Park Assist are available on the 2015 Silverado HD. Head-curtain and seat-mounted side airbags are standard on 2500 models and available on 3500 models.
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4.9 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design, and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com
