FLEET FEAT: GM TO OFFER LPG, CNG VANS FOR COMMERCIAL CUSTOMERS

By Chevrolet in the News - The team at General Motors knows that it's a simple fact of life: A huge chunk of the American economy still rides on the thousands of commercial vans and cutaway trucks operating all across the country. So it's nice to know that, thanks to companies like GM, those commercial vans and cutaway trucks don't have to run on gasoline -- or even diesel fuel.

A case in point: Beginning this fall, both the Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana full-size vans will be available with compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquified petroleum gas (LPG) powertrains for fleet and commercial customers. LPG-powered cutaways will follow in short order.

And all will feature engines specifically designed to meet the unique requirements of gaseous fuel systems. That means starting with a robust 6.0-liter Vortec V8 and then adding hardened valve seats and exhaust valves for increased durability, along with a fuel-injection setup built expressly for use with LNG and LPG fuels. Those features and more gave GM the confidence it needed to offer a transferable five-year, 100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, on top of the company's standard new vehicle warranty.

There's no hassle over converting gasoline-powered engines, either. GM pros build the trucks and install the engines at the company's plant in Wentzville, MO., then ship them to a separate, dedicated facility where the fuel-system components are installed and calibrations made. After this, GM sends them directly to customers - or dealers or upfitters - with all parts seamlessly integrated into one hard-working truck that's ready to meet all applicable motor vehicle safety standards and all current EPA and CARB certifications.

"We recognize the value in providing our fleet and commercial customers with a range of fuel saving and alternative fuel technologies," said Joyce Mattman, director of GM's commercial products and specialty vehicles. "The CNG and LPG additions are part of GM's expanding alternative fuel portfolio including more than 17 E85-capable and five hybrid models in our fleet and commercial vehicle lineup."