GM Announces CNG And LPG Versions Of GMC Savanna And Chevy Express Vans

Right after announcing the Chevrolet Aveo CNG for the Indian market, General Motors has announced the availability of LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) and CNG (compressed natural gas) variants of the GMC Savana and Chevrolet Express vans. Each of these introductions fuels GM’s reputation for offering alternative fuel vehicles that reduce dependence on gasoline.

The two vans come with fully warranted engines that are specifically designed for gaseous fuels and will carry GM’s standard new-vehicle limited warranty, including the 5-year/100,000 mile coverage on the powertrain. The vans will use GM’s proven 6.0L Vortec V8 that has been modified for use with gaseous fuels, including such features as hardened exhaust valves and intake and exhaust valve seats. Rounding out the changes is the way the vans handle storing fuel. The CPG and LPG versions will be EPA and CARB certified, meeting all requirements set by both organizations.

The vans will be assembled for the 2011 model year at GM’s Wentzville plant and then shipped to another location in order to install the specialized fuel system and related calibrations. From there, they will be shipped to the Special Vehicle Manufacturer (SVM), Fleet Customer, or GM Dealer.

Using the same engine, an LPG fuel system will be offered for 2011 cutaway vans. From there, the customer could confiture the LPG vans into cube, delivery, or shuttle bus vans – per the customer’s needs. Joyce Mattman, director of GM’s commercial products and specialty vehicles, explained that GM has “made choosing a CNG or LPG van easier for our customers. No other manufacturer offers a commercial CNG or LPG option that provides a solution with this level of support and availability.”