Update 4/15/14: Chevrolet has announced that the bi-fuel/CNG option will add $9500 to the sticker price of Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD pickups. The option will be available on all 2015 Silverado 2500/3500HD models with single-rear-wheel drive.

Fresh from their press preview in Arizona, Chevy’s new Silverado heavy duty pickup trucks rolled into the Chicago auto show this week with three power choices for 2015 models—diesel, gasoline, and compressed natural gas (CNG), the latter as a bi-fuel combo with gasoline.

As with the previous generation, the dual-fuel HD Silverados will be equipped with a pair of fuel tanks: one for CNG, one for gasoline. Drivers can change back and forth between the two fuels with the flip of a switch, and when the CNG tank empties the system automatically transfers to gasoline.

Chevrolet claims a maximum range of 650 miles using both tanks. More important to fleet operators, thanks to its North American abundance, CNG is much less expensive than gasoline, currently a little more than $2 per gallon.

View Photos MARC URBANO, THE MANUFACTURER

Although the bi-fuel setup adds to the transaction price—Chevrolet didn’t specify by how much—it can also add up to big savings. According to Chevrolet, an owner who drives 26,000 miles annually, and uses CNG for 19,500 of those miles, will save about $2000 in fuel costs.

Tradeoffs

Chevy’s 6.2-liter V-8 is the bi-fuel engine, with hardened valves and valve seats to accommodate its dual role. It’s paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Burning gasoline, the 6.2 is rated for 360 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque. On CNG, those numbers fall to 301 and 333.

However, while the diminished power may affect acceleration, it doesn’t have an impact on the truck’s capabilities. Equipped with a 4.10:1 rear axle, conventional towing is rated at 13,000 pounds burning either fuel. And while CNG doesn’t generate as much snort, it burns cleaner than gasoline, and is kinder to engine internals.

View Photos MARC URBANO, THE MANUFACTURER

As with previous bi-fuel Silverados, Chevrolet’s five-year, 100,000-mile limited warranty extends to all components of the dual-fuel system. Chevy also notes that all the system’s major components have GM service parts numbers, ensuring availability through any of the company’s dealers.

Natural-gas-burning Silverado HDs already are on sale in 2500 double cab and crew cab versions, and the CNG option will extend to 2500 standard cabs and most 3500 models, with the exception of duallies, by July.

MARC URBANO, THE MANUFACTURER

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