Comments on: Chevrolet and GMC CNG Full-Size Vans Available in Fall

By: Lorrie

Lorrie — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 19:35:51 +0000

Thanks for standing up to this hostile idiot. (in a gentlemanly manner!)

By: tapra1

tapra1 — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 14:02:45 +0000

for the environment there are fewer emissions out the tailpipe. The roadblock has been the poor availability of refueling locations. Now, with an expanding infrastructure, fleets see not only the opportunity for cost savings but to go green.LLA Tech

By: International Trucks

International Trucks — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 06:14:44 +0000

I was like, wow, $16000 for a CNG van! thanks for sharing a great post. it is good news for the transport services. this van most useful for commercial purpose. chevrolet made good design for such van. but how much color range available for this van.
http://www.truckinc.net

By: Doughnuts

Doughnuts — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 18:46:24 +0000

Mark’s correct, although I still wouldn’t want to breathe it! That’s why you can use nat gas for your stovetop, dryer, etc, and for the most part the exhaust is not vented.

Calvin’s point about 71.5% more polluting is interesting. Actually it would be infinity% more polluting if you’re assuming no emissions for electric. Only a very small percentage of electricity in California is generated from coal so the actual number is quite low here. Electric will be the way to go for passenger vehicles but these Chevy vans are 3/4 ton vehicles, mostly used as work trucks. You’d pay more than the 41k these CNG vans will cost for just the batteries.

By: Mark 010261

Mark 010261 — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 01:30:45 +0000

The worst pollutant to come out of a gasoline automobile, including all hybrids, is carbon monoxide. That is what will kill you if you are in a closed space such as your garage with the engine running. CNG cars release only trace amounts of monoxide, less than 1% of a comparable gasoline car. The exhaust coming out of the tailpipe of a Honda GX is breathable by humans.

That is why they are called the cleanest cars on the road today.

By: calvin

calvin — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 00:32:13 +0000

"Virtually no pollution" is a bit of a stretch. CNG produces 89% as much CO2 as gasoline, which, even after taking into account CNG's higher energy density, still means it produces 71.5% as much CO2 as gasoline. That's a significant improvement, but it's still 71.5% more than clean fuels.

I also find the "greener than electric" claim a bit dubious. Even with 46% of our electricity supplied by coal plants, an electric car still likely gets more mileage per gram of CO2 released into the atmosphere:

- internal combustion engines in cars are generally 30% efficient in optimum conditions (e.g. RPM, air temp, etc.), but the actual efficiency ranges from 0% (idling) to 30%;
- steam turbines used for industrial power generation range in efficiency between 30% to 50% (theoretical), or more realistically 30% to 40%--but a steam turbine power plant runs at optimal efficiency over 99% of the time;
- Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology is already beginning to be implemented in coal-burning power plants, which will reduce actual CO2 released into the atmosphere by up to 90%;
- driving EVs and building more natural gas power plants is more efficient and greener than CNG vehicles, as you have better engine efficiency and you can pipe LNG directly to a few central power plants rather than trucking them to the 1M+ gas stations around the country.

By: jose

jose — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 21:33:34 +0000

how much is it and how many miles does it have

By: JamesDavis

JamesDavis — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 03:18:19 +0000

Shines, someone has to “Rich Bitch Rant” about these “Rich Bitches” dragging their heels and lying to us.

By: Shines

Shines — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 14:49:09 +0000

James you should take a little time and research issues before you start your rants. CNG vehicles are considered to be the greenest available as CNG engines produce virtually no pollution. The exhaust is water vapor – virtually no CO2. In some ways since most electricity is created by coal burning, these trucks are greener than electric vehicles. It is true that CNG is a fossil fuel but the US does not have to import it. It is a reasonable intermediate step – similar to hybrids to carry us over to full electric once our grid can be supplied by renewable resources such as solar and wind. I say give GM some credit for trying this alternative.

By: JamesDavis

JamesDavis — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 02:20:27 +0000

They sure did abuse those words, "Go Green". There is nothing green or energy saving about those fossil fuel vehicles. The gas companies are going to hollow, "Supply and Demand!!!" and those gas prices are going to go above gas prices we have now and sales are going to drop off and these fossil fuel vehicles are going to go the way of the other fossil fuel vehicles.

Chevy and GMC are not two of the sharpest tools in the shed.