Next-Generation Duramax Diesel Will Be B20 Biodiesel Compliant

Posted by Mike Levine | August 11, 2009

GM's next-generation heavy-duty Duramax diesel V-8 won't just burn cleaner to meet tough new emissions standards for 2010; it will also burn greener — fuel that is. The so-called LML Duramax will be certified to run on biodiesel blends of up to B20, which is 80 percent ultra-low-sulfur diesel and 20 percent biodiesel, in GM's 2011 model year 2500 and 3500 Silverado and Sierra pickups.

The move finally matches the B20 capability of the current 2007-09 Cummins 6.7-liter inline-six that powers the Dodge Ram HD lineup. The 2007 Dodge Ram 3500 was the only pickup in our last Heavy Duty Shootout that was able to burn B20. B20 is available at many truck stops today, but the current 2007-10 LMM Duramax and Ford's 2008-10 6.4-liter Power Stroke V-8 are only approved for B5 biodiesel.

Comments

Hats offs to GM... to finally get to this point.

Posted by: R Del Bueno | Aug 11, 2009 6:24:22 PM

So glad to see GM treating renewables seriously. I hope Ford follows....

Posted by: Rebecca | Aug 11, 2009 7:36:44 PM

Mike,
So does this mean that the 2011 gm trucks will be released early 2010 and they got an exemption like 2007 to produce the engine that does not meet 2010 emissions? Last time it was March or April by the time the engine was released. Any word on "scorpion"? How about another gas engine besides the 6.0 for gm. Yes I know "scorpion" is ford.

Posted by: Brian | Aug 11, 2009 10:10:34 PM

The real question is will the new GM hd trucks still have the Chevy "LUV" front suspension under them ?

Posted by: Taylor | Aug 12, 2009 2:22:10 PM

Will (can) GM certify the 2008/2009 LMM for B20?
Will a kit become available?
As fuels higher then B5 become more common, will this be a problem for the LMM?

Posted by: Jim | Sep 13, 2009 11:07:44 PM

Can a 2008 GMC Sierra with a duramax diesel use biodiesel fuel?

Posted by: Bergie | Jan 12, 2010 12:46:11 PM

Is the Cummins 6.7 really approved for B20 or is it just fleet vehicles?

Posted by: Huck Jones | Feb 10, 2010 1:02:32 AM