2015 Chevy Silverado HD Goes Green With CNG
In the ongoing battle in Green Valley below Truck Mountain, Chevrolet has unleashed a CNG conversion kit for both 2500 and 3500 variants of the 2015 Silverado HD.
The kit allows the Silverado HD to run either compressed natural gas or gasoline at the flick of a switch, with the 6-liter V8 under the bonnet pumping out 301 horsepower and 333 lb-ft torque on CNG, or 360 horses and 380 lb-ft on gasoline. Range is expected to reach 650 miles through the use of both fuels, while towing capacity remains at 13,000 pounds.
For operators of work-duty Silveradoes, the CNG conversion would save $2,000 annually on fuel costs for a truck that does 26,000 miles using CNG 75 percent of the time, due mainly to the lower per gallon cost of CNG over a gallon of gasoline.
The kit — made for use in single-wheel setups only — is available now on 2500HD double cab and crew cab models, while 2500HD single cab and all 3500HD styles will be available in July.
Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.
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check this link for the comparison of cng/lng and lpg. I still wonder why the US bypassed LPG and took up cng. New Zealand had a scheme where you had a compressor on your home gas supply to refuel your vehicle. I don't know if they still do. http://www.elgas.com.au/blog/486-comparison-lpg-natural-gas-propane-butane-methane-lng-cng
The expensive part will be the cylinders. I can't forsee the government not subsidising this type of vehicle. I suppose the government is rich ;) The composite tanks are expensive to construct and will probably require some form of NDT/pressure testing on a regular basis. This type of energy isn't viable economically for the transportation industry. Natural gas is ideally suited for power generation, industrial and domestic use. You can then keep you heating oil for transportation, as heating oil is much denser.