Chevrolet is bringing CNG power to the Silverado HD

Chevrolet is taking CNG-powered vehicles seriously, with so many of their trucks being used in commercial fleets, so it was perhaps no surprise that we'd see a version of the 2015 Silverado HD that can be run either on gasoline or compressed natural gas before long. Chevrolet brought the 2015 Silverado 2500 HD CNG to the Chicago Auto Show, to let prospective buyers as well as the media to learn about at the savings that could be realized with this environmentally friendly setup.

The HD CNG truck will offer bi-fuel capability coupled with its 6.0-liter V8 engine that's been modified with hardened valves and valve seats to run on compressed natural gas. The gasoline engine already produces 360-hp ad 380 lb-ft of torque, and while running on compressed natural gas the engine will make 301-hp and 333 lb-ft of torque. But the small tradeoff in power is nicely offset by the savings offered by using natural gas, as Chevrolet claims that the Silverado HD CNG will save its owners $2,000 per year in fuel costs over 26,000 miles, running on CNG 75 percent of the time. And running on CNG and gas, the trucks will have a total range of approximately 650 miles.

As with other CNG bi-fuel trucks, the Silverado will have a separate tank and will allow the driver to switch fuels with the flip of a switch. Once the CNG runs out, the truck automatically switches over to gasoline.

Chevrolet
The tank is located in the trunk, and is installed by a GM supplier after the CNG option is selected through a dealer.

"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 of 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 will be available on the 2015 Silverado 2500HD and Silverado 3500HD trucks with single rear wheels -- so no dually models for now. The Silverado 2500HD double cab and crew cab models are available right now, while the 2500HD regular cab and 3500HD will be available in July of this year.

"Silverado bi-fuel pickups are available through any of Chevrolet’s more than 3,000 dealerships across America just like any other model,” added Peper. "It’s one of the industry’s most seamless integration of OEM-delivered CNG vehicles."

By Jay Ramey