safe fuel — lowest flammability range
of any fuel (gas and diesel included).
The end-user experience is almost the
same as gas or diesel, but with propane
they get the benefits of lower emissions
and fuel cost.”
At General Motors, CNG- and
LPG-powered versions of the Chev-
rolet Express and GMC Savana
full-size vans will be available later
this year. The 2011-model cargo vans
have specially designed engines for
gaseous fuels and come direct to the
customer with a fully integrated and
warranted dedicated gaseous-fuel
system in place.
“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 Fleet and Commercial
Operations at GM. “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.”
Besides offering contractors propane
and electric vehicles, Ford offers E-85
capability on a wide range of vehicles,
including E-Series equipped with the
4.6L or 5.4L engine; on F-150 pickups
equipped with the 5.4L engine; and on
Ford’s new Super Duty 6.2L engine.
Also available is bio-diesel (B- 20) capability on the new Super Duty 6.7L diesel
and on Ford’s F-650 and F-750 trucks.
General Motors also offers contractors and fleet managers a variety of
alternative- fuel vehicles and hybrids.
The GMC Sierra Hybrid and Chev-rolet Silverado Hybrid pickups use
GM’s patented two-mode hybrid system and
6.0L gas V8 engine. The
hybrid technology uses
two modes for city and
highway driving. At low
speed and with light
loads, the first mode
operates by electric
power or engine power,
or any combination. The second mode
is for highway speeds and integrates
electronic controls, Active Fuel Man-
agement, cam phasing and late-intake
valve closure for efficient opera-
tion. The system allows for compact
packaging because electric motors
are designed to fit within the same
space as an automatic transmission.
The 300V battery pack is located in
the chassis, under the rear seat. GM’s
hybrid trucks are available in 2WD
and 4WD versions.
and 3500 series; standard Stabilitrak
stability control system; remote vehicle
starter system, including a remote keyless entry; and two transmitters that
have a remote panic button.
“We recognize the value in providing our fleet and commercial
customers with a range of fuel-saving
and alternative-fuel technologies,” says
Mike McGarry, marketing manager,
Alternative Fuels Fleet and Commercial Operations at GM. “In late 2010,
we are adding compressed natural gas
and liquefied petroleum gas vehicles
to GM’s expanding alternative-fuel
portfolio, which will include more
than 20 E85-capable vehicles, five
hybrid models, B- 20 biodiesel capability in all of our diesels and the first
extended range electric vehicle, the
Chevy Volt.”
SALES REPS DRIVE GREEN, TOO
Not only can contractors cut their fuel
costs and decrease their carbon footprint by having service technicians and
project managers drive alternative-fuel
vans and pickup trucks, contractors
can cut costs and be environmentally
friendly by having their sales representatives drive green vehicles, too.
