DETROIT, MI (WNEM) -
General Motors is getting into the natural gas game by offering a pickup truck that burns the fuel in conjunction with regular gasoline.
Chevrolet and GMC extended cab, heavy-duty pickup trucks with a bi-fuel option will sell for $11,000 above the suggested base-vehicle price.
General Motors said fleet and retail customers can place orders for the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra 2500 HD beginning Thursday, April 19.
The pickups, which run on compressed natural gas (CNG) and gasoline, have a Vortec 6.0L V8 engine that seamlessly transitions between the two fuel systems. A single, light-weight tank in the bed maximizes available payload and bed space, offering more usable space than competitors.
GM said the Silverado HD and Sierra 2500 HD offer customers fueling flexibility with a combined CNG and gasoline range of more than 650 miles - which GM said is the longest range available in the bi-fuel truck market.
The pickups will be available in standard and long-box, two-or-four-wheel drive in the extended cab models, offering customization for specific needs.
"Businesses are looking for ways to control their costs while reducing vehicle emissions and becoming less dependent on fluctuating gas prices. The low cost of ownership makes these vehicles a realistic solution," said Joyce Mattman, director of GM commercial product and specialty vehicles. "CNG has maintained a significantly lower retail price than either gasoline or diesel. The current average price of CNG is equivalent to $1.89 per gallon of gasoline. Customers could save $5,000 to $10,000 over a three-year period, depending on their driving habits."
GM said the bi-fuel trucks will be covered by GM's three-year, 36,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty and five-year, 100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty and vehicle emissions warranty.
Copyright WNEM 2012 (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 WorldNow and WSFA, a Raycom Media Station.
