USA Today reports that General Motors is making a move to natural gas. The country’s largest automaker will offer compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) versions of the Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana full-size vans to fleet customers starting later this year.
“We’re listening to our fleet customers and dealers about offering options that help them achieve their business objectives,” said Brian Small, general manager of GM’s fleet and commercial operations. “The industry commitment to expand the CNG and LPG infrastructure in key fleet markets was an enabler to allowing us to introduce these options now.”
The production changes needed to manufacture a vehicle that runs on cleaner burning natural gas rather than more expensive petroleum-based fuels are in fact quite simple to implement. All that will be required is for GM’s Vortec six-liter V-8 engine to receive hardened exhaust valves and intake and exhaust valve seats for improved wear resistance. Given the increasing popularity of low-cost natural gas as a fueling choice, such changes are likely in store for more and more American-made cars.
“We’ve made choosing a CNG or LPG van easier for our customers,” said Joyce Mattman, director of GM’s commercial products and specialty vehicles. “No other manufacturer offers a commercial CNG or LPG option that provides a solution with this level of support and availability.”
Read more HERE.