Thursday, October 21, 2010

GM adds compressed natural gas option to cargo vans aimed at fleet users

Compressed natural gas is now a fuel option for General Motors Co.'s full-sized cargo vans.

The fully integrated CNG fuel system option uses GM's 6.0-liter V-8 engine and carries a $15,910 sticker price. It is available on the 2011 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana.

The vehicles were unveiled today at the Green Fleet Conference in San Diego.

“Natural gas is an abundant and clean alternative fuel,” Beth Stanek, GM's director of federal environmental and energy regulatory affairs, said in a statement. “Based on today's CNG fuel rates and anticipated payback period, fleet investment in CNG can be quite affordable.”

Before the CNG application, the engine is modified to include hardened exhaust valves, and intake and exhaust valve seats for improved wear resistance and durability with gaseous fuel systems.

Read more: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20101019/OEM/101019844/1186#ixzz130b6Ou8Y

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