GM Announces Bi-Fuel Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 2500 HDs

Posted by Mark Williams | March 4, 2012

GM announced today a bi-fuel version of the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 2500 HDs that can run either on regular gas or compressed natural gas.

The extended cab is powered by a 6.0-liter V-8 that makes the same horsepower and torque as you'd find in the base model with "a minimal loss" with CNG, said Mike Jones, GM's CNG product manager. The pickup will be available in long- and short-bed versions and two- and four-wheel drive.

The engine initially runs on gas, then automatically switches over to CNG once an optimum temperature is reached. When the CNG runs out, the engine transitions back to gas. A dashboard switch allows the driver to manually control which fuel is being used, Jones said.

The combination of the 17-gallon CNG tank and the standard 36-gallon gas tank provide more than 650 miles of range, GM says. When running on regular gas, the bifuel pickup should achieve the same gas mileage. Jones did not give exact fuel economy ratings when the system is running on CNG but we would guess, like most CNG powertrains, it will be a little less than gasoline.

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Source: PickupTrucks.com

Edited March 6, 201214 yr by GMTruckGuy74

Home run HIT!!!

Way to go GM, this is what we need as CNG is an awesome option to have on a truck.

Now this is a thing worth doing.

Wait a minute, surely these trucks are also E-85 compatible.

That would make them tri-fuel vehicles.

I really like that!

I expect they are far from done with the options on fuel and driveline changes. I wonder how long till the E assist is standard on trucks in the future too. They are going to have to use all their tricks if the goverment does not back down.

The real question is we know the fleets will take notice here but how many people in the public sector will take this option. GM needs to make sure to market this one and do it right. Take the mystery out of it and the false ideas for many.

Been looking into this for the last hour or so.

Seems that there are some local places to refuel with CNG, and a home refueling device is available.

Also, state and federal funding is in the works to expand availability at refueling stations - especially here in PA.

And, diesels are being converted as well and put on the road now in big trucks.

Imagine a CNG Duramax!

This, and cellulosic ethanol are the immediate way forward - I just hope it sticks this time.

The automakers should start with flex-fuel capability for a wide range of product.

Where's my CNG Ute?!

I take my CNG Tahoe Hybrid please

Love the CNG... but GM needs it in more models.

I'm waiting for my CNG G8.

I think reality is starting to set in and people are finally realizing that we need to apply the solutions we have at hand to address the problem right now, not decades from now.

It's a very good thing.

Just think, with a CNG kit in your garage and the average US price being $10 per thousand cubic feet, fueling up your auto finally gets cheap again.

CNG stations are averaging $1.89 a gallon here in Seattle. Vancouer BC is averaging .75 a liter.

This is the way to go.

Check your area!

http://www.cngprices.com/index.php

Whoooooooooo

Just found this company with kits.

http://www.gonaturalcng.com/

Edited March 8, 201214 yr by dfelt

I really want to find out what the true deal with the tank dates are. I'm still hearing conflicting storys with exactly what needs to be done once they expire.

Just wait till someone hits a tree 200 MPH, backwards, upside down, drunk and blows up in a mushroom cloud. The media will be all over this and claim these are unsafe like the Volt was till it was found not to have been any worse than anything else we drive.

GM still has people out there playing dirty. We have seen it on the Volt and we may see if on this if Toyota or some other large MFG does not want to have to invest in these products. I am 100% other MFG's have been and still are lobbying the media to be against GM and the Volt. I suspect Toyota just based on their past with the media and also the fact a Volt system making an impact on the market would damage Toyota's investment in the Prius system.

GM needs to watch the media and head these things off as soon as possible. I think they have not seen the last of the attacks. Lets face it even many of the political officals speaking out on the Volt have Toyota factories in their home areas.

Dirty pool will always exist (especially in congress), but CNG vehicles are an idea whose time has come.

Commercial trucks and fleets are a start, but private trucks, large cars, and performance cars are the place to make it count.

Smaller cars could follow later.

They should all be tri-fuel at the beginning (gasoline, CNG, and E-85) - later they could be optimized for dedicated systems.

It is more than dirty pool as it is an out right media attacks by other MFG's like Packard did back in the early 20th century to Cadillac.

CNG, diesel, electric and hybid systems are still not systems for everyone but they all will have an important place in the future.