General Motors announced the launch of a CNG-powered bi-fuel version of the 2014 Chevrolet Impala for retail and fleet customers. The car was announced by GM Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson during the 0th anniversary of the OPEC Oil Embargo, which seems appropriate.
Chevrolet Impala Bi-Fuel can operate on either gasoline or compressed natural gas (CNG). Natural Gas is still a fossil fuel, but it is a cleaner-burning fuel compared to petroleum product, and it’s considerably cheaper to produce and purchase, which is a huge plus for fleet customers. The car features a factory-engineered and fully warranted powertrain that switches seamlessly from CNG to gasoline. It is expected to have a total range of more than 500 miles.
Most big European car makers are offering CNG variant of their executive models these days as a way to reduce their average fuel consumption and CO2 ratings. And General Motors is dead serious about become as green as possible, hence the launch of cars like the Chevrolet Impala Bi-Fuel, Chevy Volt, Cadillac ELR, and Spark EV, as well a number of ultra-frugal mid-size sedans.
GM is committed to saving 12 billion gallons of gasoline in its 2011 to 2017 model year vehicles – offsetting nearly a year of crude imports from the Persian Gulf – with technologies that include lighter materials to reduce vehicle mass, alternative fuels, clean diesel and electrification.
