Waste-To-CNG Technology Enables Chevy to Go Bi-Fuel with Impala (Video)

October 21, 2014

Patrick Ponticel

A 2015 Chevrolet Impala bi-fuel is refueled at a CNG fueling station in Ohio. Cleveland-based quasar energy group converts organic waste into usable CNG, including organic byproducts from beer giant Anheuser Busch, food waste from the Cleveland Indians Progressive Field, and biosolids from the City of Columbus’s wastewater.

General Motors claims that its 2015 Chevrolet Bi-fuel Impala running on gasoline or CNG (compressed natural gas) will be the only bi-fuel-capable sedan on the market to offer a factory warranty. It is slated to go on sale later this year at a starting price of $38,210. The CNG tank mounted in the trunk has the equivalent capacity of 7.8 gal (30 L) of gasoline, which is expected to offer approximately 150 mi (240 km) city range on CNG based on GM testing. With gasoline and CNG combined, expected range is 500 mi (800 km) city based on GM testing. U.S. EPA estimates are not yet available. Impala’s bi-fuel system seamlessly switches to gasoline power when the CNG tank is depleted. Drivers who wish to change fuels while driving can do so by simply pushing a button. A light on the instrument panel indicates when CNG is being used, and there is no interruption in the vehicle’s performance. Click http://bcove.me/6shc3rjh to watch a video about a quasar energy group facility that turns waste into CNG. In preparing to launch the 2015 Bi-fuel Impala, GM reached out to quasar to raise public awareness on the possibilities of renewable CNG. About 50% of quasar's fleet are GM vehicles—most of which run on CNG.