General Motors Offers Sustainable Options For Business Fleets

General Motors' commitment to helping commercial customers decrease the environmental impact of their fleets was shown through the industry's only fully integrated compressed natural gas cargo vans, which were on display at the Green Fleet Conference in San Diego, October 18-19. 

"Our compressed natural gas cargo vans will make it easier for fleet owners to meet their business objectives and make their transportation more sustainable," said Mary Beth Stanek, GM's Director of Federal Environmental and Energy Regulatory Affairs, and a conference keynote speaker.

"Chevrolet and GMC are the only brands to offer a one-source CNG option on vans for fleet customers.  What's more, these vans will meet all Environmental Protection Agency and California Air Resources Board emission certification requirements."

The fully integrated CNG fuel system option carries a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price of $15,910. The vans will be covered by GM's three-year, 36,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty and five-year, 100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty.

"Natural gas is an abundant and clean alternative fuel," Stanek said. "Based on today's CNG fuel rates and anticipated payback period, fleet investment in CNG can be quite affordable."

Fleet owners have additional choices to make their vehicles more sustainable and environmentally friendly:

• Fuel efficiency: GM offers 12 models with EPA-estimated 30 miles per gallon highway ratings that use innovative engine advancements like Active Fuel Management to deactivate cylinders and Spark Ignition Direct Injection. For example, the new Chevrolet Cruze Eco model featuring a 1.4L turbo engine is expected to get up to 40 mpg highway when it goes on sale in early 2011. 
• Flex-fuel vehicles: GM offers more flex-fuel vehicles than any manufacturer with 19 models that run on up to 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline or any combination of the two. GM is on track to make more than half of its vehicle production flex-fuel capable by 2012.
• Hybrids: GM offers the only hybrid pickup trucks in the market — the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra.  An additional four hybrid models accompany the pickups — the Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and GMC Yukon Denali hybrids.