Japanese car maker steps up efforts to reduce carbon footprint

There are more ways than just making enviro cars to be environmentally friendly....
By Abigail L. Ho
Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines—Recognizing that vehicles are big contributors to pollution, Honda Cars Philippines Inc. is stepping up efforts to reduce its own carbon footprint by implementing various environment-saving measures in its Sta. Rosa, Laguna manufacturing facility.

In a speech during the celebration of the company's 20th anniversary, Honda Philippines president and general manager Hiroshi Shimizu said that from 2006, the car manufacturer had slashed carbon emissions from its production activities by as much as 20 percent.

This was achieved through the implementation of energy demand side management activities, as well as energy efficiency and conservation measures, including the conduct of energy audits
and the installation of energy-efficient equipment and lighting systems.

Shimizu related that the company has also embarked on a waste reduction program that aimed to eliminate manufacturing-related wastes by next year.

Efforts directed at achieving this goal included the reduction and segregation of various waste products, the use of recyclable packaging for the parts that it exports, and the treatment of its hazardous waste materials through cement kiln technology.

Honda Motor Co., the car maker's Japanese parent, is constantly conducting research on automotive technologies that will reduce carbon emissions.

Michio Shinohara, general manager of Honda's environment and safety planning office, said the company was working hard to accelerate the rollout of vehicle models using electromotive technologies.

"The shift to electromotive technologies is one of the most effective ways to reduce carbon emissions,'' he said.

Honda earlier in the year launched a real-world demonstration program of its electric motorcycles and automobiles, in cooperation with Japan's Kumamoto and Saitama prefectures.

These personal mobility products, powered by electromotive technology, were used in a mainstream urban setting to determine the effectiveness of such vehicles under normal driving conditions and to study how the future urban transportation system should be designed to provide the most improvement to overall quality of life.

Honda also sells hybrid vehicles in other markets, but is not inclined to do so until after 2013, when the tariff on such vehicles go down to zero under the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement.

Source;
http://business.inquirer.net/money/topstories/view/20101024-299535/Japanese-car-maker-steps-up-efforts-to-reduce-carbon-footprint

Honda Accord Hybrid V2.0: Honda Preparing to Resurrect the Accord Hybrid

I always thought that the Accord Hybrid was a nice car, just it had to be a 4cyl, people buying hybrids are after the fuel economy, not so much performance....
In 2004, Honda released its third hybrid, a gas-electric version of the Accord EX V6 sedan. The car represented a new spin on hybrid powertrains, with the carmaker opting to use supplemental power from the vehicle's battery to enhance performance rather than maximize fuel efficiency.

Where the obvious move would have been to attach its hybrid system to the four-cylinder Accord model—potentially boosting fuel economy from a pedestrian 24 mpg combined rating into the range of other best-in-class mid-size offerings—Honda instead chose to pair the system with a V6 and configure that pairing to provide an additional 15 horsepower to the Accord EX V6's already meaty 240 hp. Fuel efficiency for the vehicle languished at a paltry 25 mpg city, 34 mpg highway rating—with the combined number coming in just 1 MPG higher than the base model Accord.

Consumers were not impressed. Honda sold less than 6,000 Accord hybrids in 2006 and less than a year later, the car was canceled. "Hybrid manufacturers have largely been unable to expand the public's perception of hybrids beyond high fuel economy," said Kelley Blue Book's Jack Nerad at the time.

Now comes word from Automotive News that Honda is once again preparing a hybrid version of the Accord. Will the carmaker aim to bring big efficiency gains to the vehicle's 24/31 fuel economy rating, or has it decided that the market is finally ready for a hybrid that boosts power at the expense of substantive fuel economy gains?

With gas prices low, and Toyota recently deciding to go in a similar direction with its new Highlander hybrid SUV, it's possible that performance-oriented hybrids could be making a comeback. But with Honda's green vehicle lineup struggling and the carmaker's own president complaining that company had become "complacent" about new technology in recent years, it's difficult to see how an extra 15 horsepower and 1-2 MPGs could bring Honda back to prominence as a maker of fuel-efficient vehicles.

For now, all that's known is that a new gas-electric Accord is on its way, so we'll have to save our judgments for when more details are available. Hopefully, Honda will be a little more bold with its hybrid this time around.

Source (via autoblog);
http://www.hybridcars.com/news/honda-preparing-resurrect-accord-hybrid-28644.html

2010 Paris Auto Show: HONDA JAZZ HYBRID - LOW EMISSIONS AND PRACTICALITY WITHOUT COMPROMISE

Not for North America yet....
The Jazz Hybrid is making its world motor show debut at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, further demonstrating Honda's continuing commitment to petrol-electric hybrid technology.

The launch of the latest addition to the practical Jazz line-up marks the first time a parallel hybrid vehicle has been available to B-segment consumers. Importantly the Jazz Hybrid will not lose any of its practicality, with the compact nature of the Honda IMA system allowing the B-segment car to retain its ultra-flexible "Magic Seats" and 300 litres of boot space.

The IMA battery pack and power control unit have been integrated in the area under the boot floor, retaining the normal boot area and allowing the "Magic Seats" to fold in the same manner as non-hybrid versions. This means that the seats still fold entirely flat to provide a surprising 831 litre of space or the seat bases can be folded up to sit vertically, so as to accommodate tall items within the car.

The IMA hybrid system is shared with the Insight and CR-Z hybrids, taking advantage of the proven reliability of this important technology. With almost two decades of development and 10 years of sales behind it, the Honda IMA system has proven itself to be a flexible and dependable system, with over half a million vehicles on the road benefitting from its combination of low emissions and fuel economy.

The new model features the same IMA system as in the Insight hybrid, using the same 1.3 litre i-VTEC engine as its dedicated hybrid model sibling. The IMA system is combined with a CVT gearbox in the Jazz and with emissions of just 104 g/km* of CO2 it has the lowest CO2 output of any automatic car in the B-segment. As a petrol-electric hybrid, the new derivative has ultra-low levels of other exhaust emissions, not just taxable elements. Visually the Jazz Hybrid is distinguished from the current Jazz range with revised headlights, which have a blue surround, clear rear lights, new front grille, restyled bumpers and a chrome tailgate garnish. The new hybrid will be available in a range of existing colours plus a bespoke Lime Green metallic.

Inside the cabin is given a fresh look with a darker single colour dashboard, which contrasts strongly with the blue lighting of the dials and centre console. The new hybrid is also available with leather trim, the first time this has been available on a Jazz model in Europe. The dashboard integrates a version of the Eco Assist function, which uses the ambient lighting of the speedometer to advise the driver on how their driving style is impacting on their fuel economy.

The Eco Assist function aides drivers in getting the maximum economy from their car in everyday situations and gives users real-time feedback on how their use of the brakes and throttle affects their fuel bills and environmental impact.

*Internal figure, homologation not yet finalised

While respecting the unique features of the car, a range of Genuine Accessories will accentuate its hybrid character even further. Decoration items, such as doorstep garnishes, a variety of exterior and interior stickers, B-pillar garnishes and alloy wheels can be fitted according to the driver's personal taste. A Solid State Drive navigation, hands-free Bluetooth® and rear entertainment system are set to provide extra technological comfort. A complete range of Genuine Accessories is available for those customers that want to add in even more functionality and style.

The Jazz Hybrid will go on sale in some European markets in the early part of 2011, prices and full specifications will be announced in due course.

Source;
http://www.hondanews.eu/en/news/index.pmode/modul,detail,0,1585-DEFAULT,21,text,1/index.pmode

Honda Confirms Next-Gen Civic GX Natural Gas Vehicle

by Brian Moody

In Translogic episode 6.2 we took a look at one of the cleanest yet most obscure green cars sold in the U.S., the 2011 Honda Civic GX. The GX is just like every other Civic, except that its engine burns compressed natural gas (CNG) rather than gasoline.

Honda confirmed to Translogic that when the company redesigns the Civic for its ninth generation, there will be a Honda Civic GX. Since the GX sells in such small numbers, there was speculation that it might be dropped when Honda undertakes a complete overhaul of the Civic, as it has scheduled for the 2012 model year. But Honda is dedicated to the CNG Civic and says hopes to make it a bigger part of their alt-fuel efforts.

Ever since the car's introduction in 1998, the Civic GX has really been more of a fleet car rather than typical retail car the average shopper would consider. In 2009, Honda sold just 1,757 Civic GX's.

The car's fleet origins mean the interior is a little lackluster. It's no secret, Honda already knows the Civic GX lacks the bells and whistles even sub-compact owners have come to expect. Jessica Fini with American Honda said "Due to customer feedback, the 2012 Honda Civic GX NGV will be more comfortable and offered with desirable options like a navigation system and upgraded stereo." Perhaps the secret of the Civic GX is about to get out.

Honda also confirmed that the 2012 Honda Civic GX will not deviate from the current car's basic formula of being a Honda Civic first and foremost and a NGV second. The Formula seems to be working; the 2010 Civic GX was named "Greenest Vehicle" by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy.

But the picture isn't all rosy for the natural gas powered Civic, a lack of public CNG fueling stations could put a damper on Civic GX ownership. For instance, according to cngprices.com, there are just two CNG refueling stations in the Atlanta area and one requires special key-card for access and there's just one CNG station between Miami and Jacksonville. On the other hand, cities like Boston, Denver, New York, Salt Lake City and Tulsa, Oklahoma have many CNG stations. California seems to have the most CNG stations of any other state: San Francisco, Sacramento and Los Angeles combined probably have more re-fueling stations than the entire rest of the country. Even so, some CNG stations in the Los Angeles area are 10-20 miles away from the center of many suburban communities. There is a reward once you find a station, many people are paying the equivalent of $1.07-$2.60 per gallon.

Some Civic GX owners can capitalize on the low price of CNG and skip the infrastructure worries by outfitting their homes with a refueling mechanism that uses the natural gas already piped to most homes. The cost is about $4,600 but you can get a tax credit of $2,000. The company that made the Phill refueling unit was purchased by another company so it's unclear if an individual in every state can still get a natural gas compressor installed at home. Gas Equipment Systems Inc has offices in California and Texas so that's a good place to start

Honda says the Civic GX is the cleanest burning internal combustion engine in the world. But for every advantage with the CNG powered Civic, there seems to be a disadvantage. The Civic GX isn't especially thrilling to drive; with its 1.8 liter engine making just 113 hp, the car feels slower than a regular Civic. A gasoline powered Civic with a 1.8 liter engine makes 140 hp – a difference that's noticeable to the average driver. Also, the Honda Civic GX costs a little more than $25,000. By comparison, a Honda Civic EX with leather and navigation is still about $2,000 less. And the Civic EX cruises to a combined EPA estimate of 29 mpg. The equivalent combined fuel economy estimate for the Civic GX is 28 mpg. Those who buy a new 2010 Honda Civic GX may qualify for a $4,000 tax credit and Californians who buy a new Civic GX will qualify for the states zero emission HOV stickers which means you can use the carpool lane even if you're alone in the car.

In the end, the Honda Civic GX's green credential are rock solid, what's not so clear is if the car makes sense for the average green leaning motorist. Honda already has a Civic Hybrid, Insight Hybrid and the sporty CR-Z Hybrid plus the gasoline powered Honda Fit gets a respectable 36 miles per gallon on the highway. The difference is all of Honda's fuel sippers can be fueled up at the local filling station while the Civic GX can't and that's really the car's Achilles heel.

Source;

http://translogic.aolautos.com/2010/09/15/exclusive-honda-confirms-next-gen-civic-gx-natural-gas-vehicle/

EPA reveals top 10 most fuel-efficient cars since 1984, original Honda Insight takes top honors

Best overall REAL WORLD Gas mileage vehicles since 1984....

Best Overall EPA Rated Gas Mileage vehicles since 1984....

Fuel efficiency has increased dramatically in the last decade, or at least that's what we've been told. So it might come as a surprise to find out that six of the Top Ten EPA-rated Fuel Sippers from 1984 to present were built prior to 2000. Don't believe it? We didn't either, but this info comes straight from the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) website, the authoritative source on this fuel efficiency stuff.

While some current vehicles, such as the 2010 Toyota Prius, 2010 Honda Insight and the 2006-2010 Honda Civic Hybrid, garnered a spot on the top ten list, it's really older lightweight models like the 1986 Chevy Sprint ER or 1990-1994 Geo Metro XFI that make it obvious efficiency hasn't come as far as we'd like to think. Overall, Honda holds top honors for automakers with five models present on the list, while Toyota's Prius made its mark twice. All of the vehicles on the list run with either 3- or 4-cylinder engines and five out of the top ten rely on hybrid motivation.

The overall winner, the 2000 Honda Insight (pictured above), scores a combined rating of 53 miles per gallon, a number that exceeds even the modern-day Prius by three mpg. In many cases, we've been mistakenly led to believe that buying a new car equates to increased efficiency, but this list clearly shows that many of the relics from days gone by can easily hold their own with the most efficient vehicles made today. However, finding a running example of some of these old fuel sippers may prove impossible and we'd venture to guess that many of them are far from safe to drive by today's standards.

Source

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/11/epa-announces-top-10-most-fuel-efficient-cars-insight-takes-top/

Niedermayer Receives New Honda FCX Clarity

In front of the arena that bears their name and logo on Wednesday morning, Honda presented Ducks captain and defenseman Scott Niedermayer with the keys to a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle – the FCX Clarity.

The vehicle runs off electricity through hydrogen, which is stored in a tank within its confines. The Honda FCX Clarity’s only emission is water vapor and in comparison to gasoline-powered automobile, its fuel efficiency is three times greater. For an environmental enthusiast like Niedermayer, getting the chance to drive the car is a thrill.

“The environment, a healthy planet, all these things have been fairly important to me,” said Niedermayer in front of a crowd gathered in the parking lot of the Ducks home arena. “It’s a passion I have. To be able to be given this opportunity from Honda to drive a fuel cell car like this is very exciting for me, that is for sure.”

Honda, a leader in alternative fuel vehicles, first developed a pure battery electric vehicle back in the 1990s. At the same time, the company created a natural gas car. From there, they progressed toward the start of advanced fuel cell electric vehicle program in 2002 with the delivery of the original FCX to the city of Los Angeles. The first all-new FCX Clarity was distributed in June 2008.

“There is a huge expectation because of our heritage of being a very environmentally conscious company that we will be at the forefront,” said John Mendel, executive vice president of auto sales for American Honda. “That is the stuff that gets you up every morning to push even harder to fulfill the needs of customers. We will not let them down.”

Honda felt selecting Niedermayer to be the latest driver of the FCX Clarity was an easy decision, considering his background with the environment and his success on the ice.

“We look for people who are passionate about the environment,” Mendel said. “It’s probably the best way to get high profile people who actually live a green lifestyle and care about the environment to utilize vehicles in a mainstream way. Scott is yet another very important lynchpin in that. It’s certainly a coup to him for being named to the Canadian team. It couldn’t have come at a better time and we’re very proud to have him driving the car.”

Already the owner of one hybrid vehicle, Niedermayer is pleased the FCX Clarity allows him to further reduce his carbon footprint. “To be able to have a car like this that has zero emissions is a pretty big step,” he said. “It’s hard to believe that as I’ll be driving down the road, there will be a bit of water vapor coming out of the car and that will be it.”

Delivering the FCX Clarity to Niedermayer is just the latest in a thoroughly successful partnership between Honda and the Anaheim Ducks. It is bond that dates back to October 2006 when the Ducks home arena officially became known as Honda Center.

“We were reminiscing today about the very first event we had here at Honda Center, the unveiling of the name,” Mendel said. “That partnership has just strengthened over time and this is yet another piece, a very important piece for us, Honda Center and Southern California.”

Source;
http://ducks.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=512613

The Honda FCX Clarity, the world’s first commercially available, zero-emission hydrogen car;

Here's a good read on the Honda FCX Clarity....

Honda’s new gas guzzler

Nowadays, emission-free motoring is the ultimate Hollywood accessory.

Even hybrids, like the Toyota Prius, don’t really cut it anymore. Which probably helps to explain why Arnold Schwarzenegger, the man who was once famed for his love of environmentally-unfriendly Hummers, happily champions the green cause. Indeed, the politician is now the power behind California’s so-called Hydrogen Highway, the busy thoroughfare that runs between San Francisco and San Diego.

You’ll find the epicentre of LA’s piece of that road just off the 405 freeway, one of the world’s most polluted motorways, where a Shell petrol station equipped with a hydrogen pump is the main refuelling hub for the rare Honda FCX Clarity.

The Honda FCX Clarity, the world’s first commercially available, zero-emission hydrogen car, is currently only available to lease in Japan and California, primarily because they’re the only places where hydrogen is relatively available. The cost for a three-year lease in either market is approximately $600 (Dh2,200) per month, which includes maintenance.

Before I am let loose behind the wheel of the vehicle Honda describes as the “sedan of the future”, I’m shown how to fill up the Clarity, which proves fast and simple. In fact, in less than five minutes, I have enough energy onboard for more than 320km of roaming. It cost almost $30 to fill the tank – about the same price as it would to fill the tank of a similar-sized car with petrol.

This Honda is an amazing piece of wizardry. It’s powered by a compact and efficient electric motor, which is fed by a fuel cell that converts hydrogen from the tank and oxygen from the air into electricity. The only byproduct of this process is water vapour, which comes out of the exhaust pipe. The hydrogen is compressed to 5,000psi and stored in a tank under the boot.

The FCX’s Vertical Flow fuel cell stack has been designed to be compact, leaving more space for occupants. The car is also designed to recover energy that would otherwise be lost while braking or decelerating, which is stored as electricity in a lithium-ion battery pack found under the rear seat, allowing for more interior and boot space.

The Clarity’s range is fine, too, if you know you are going to be close to another filling station.

Currently, one of the biggest hurdles in selling hydrogen-powered vehicles is the lack of infrastructure to make owning one as convenient as owning a petrol-powered car. As yet, hydrogen does not give you the complete freedom of the open road.

So with all that in mind, I map out our road test route. Carefully.

We will head up near Burbank, then across the Santa Monica Mountains to Malibu, down the Pacific Coast Highway and through Venice. The return leg will be up the infamous 405 to Los Angeles International Airport, where the first hydrogen station opened, for a substantial but sustainable meal at the city’s hippest eco eatery.

Any fool could drive the Clarity – just flick the switch into Drive with the steering column-mounted lever and the car moves off, albeit with little of the grunt you’d expect from a big petrol engine.

It gets to 100kph in about 10 seconds and reaches a maximum speed of 160kph. The ride quality, though, is as good as a Rolls-Royce.

For a car for the future, the Clarity is remarkably contemporary to drive. For some reason I’d expected an experience nothing like the norm but, despite the cutting-edge power source, the delivery of power is familiar.

It may be a bit breathless compared with the sprightly characteristics of most Hondas, and unnaturally quiet (something we will all have to get used to with one form of alternative power or other) but Honda has retained its company DNA for ride and handling.

Sadly though, the interior is dull. I’d have liked to feel as if I was in something more space shuttle than old people’s home.

But the Star Trek element is at least evident in a series of gauges and indicators that pulsate in vibrant electro blue rather like a 1990s Japanese boom box. One of the key indicators shows hydrogen reserves. I thought it would be like watching sand slide through an egg timer, seeing the sole power source for the car evaporate with every twitch of the accelerator. But no, it dropped gently – until I got on the motorway. Then it started plummeting.

There’s nothing like not knowing where your next filling station is coming from to focus the mind. It’s great having a hydrogen car but greater still when there’s enough places to refuel.

Heading out into traffic, I felt like a star. Kids, truckers and even muscle car drivers flagged me down and gave me the thumbs-up. The Clarity doesn’t look all that different from a normal car, but apparently people still notice it.

Sun kissed and sand fringed, Santa Monica and Venice Beach are in fact LA’s green belt. Here, sustainability sells.

Surfboard and skateboard makers Arbor use bamboo not only for their wave and street riders but also for clothing. It’s no gimmick. Surfers might want the cleanest of water, but would never relinquish speed across the surf or pavements for sustainability.

Serving in Venice today is the Green Truck to Go, a mobile kitchen powered by biofuel and solar-power, that dishes up meals of local produce from the side of the road. I grab a fantastic tortilla wrap to keep myself fuelled.

“LA is really a green place at heart. Only because we need our cars so much is that compromised,” says Green Truck founder Mitchell Collier, whose regular customers include the film director Ridley Scott and the celebrity photographer Annie Leibovitz. “It is becoming normal now in LA to choose the green option, given one.”

Our last stop is for a bite at Akasha, LA’s top organic restaurant. Pierce Brosnan and Robert Redford swing by. Miley Cyrus, who was filming in studios at Culver City, also makes an appearance.

“I’d like to say we are doing something new,” says Akasha Richmond. “But go back to Hollywood in the 1930s and health food and green living were all the rage then. The Germans brought their organic living with them to LA and Hollywood lapped it up.

“The difference now is that so much of that has been diluted that the green movement has a greater fight to get its head above water. But the immediate influence of stars and their eco beliefs has been tremendous.”

It’s obvious that Californians are serious about going green, which makes it obvious why Honda chose the Golden State as its Clarity test bed. With the success of the hydrogen car here, one can only wonder how soon the Clarity will be seen in driveways in the rest of the US states – and beyond.

Source;
http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100102/MOTORING/701019950/1247/life

Question and Answer with Honda CEO Takanobu Ito

Honda's new CEO Takanobu Ito talks to Autocar about the problems with recycled carbonfibre and why he can't sell fuel cell cars.

Do you plan to give us more cars in the future with more platform sharing?
To be honest, we don’t sell a huge variety of cars in Europe. To sell a large variety would undermine our investment efficiency and impact our business. We want to respond to our customers’ needs, so for future cars we will try to offer more varied cars on the same platform and we are revisiting our development in that respect. We will try to reduce the number of platforms, but this will take time.

In Europe Toyota is seen as the green car company, despite Honda’s long history with hybrids. How do you address this?
Our European sales people are largely to blame. We tried to enhance our position with the Civic hybrid but failed. But the CR-Z and Insight will help us enhance awareness that Honda is a green car maker. We also want to introduce the FCX to Europe and have started testing here.

Talking of green technology, what happened to the clean diesels you were working on?
It was too challenging to produce a commercialised clean diesel. We got it to work at a research and development level, but we couldn’t make it work commercially. But we haven’t abandoned clean diesel research, and we’re still working on the technology.

Honda doesn’t believe electric vehicles have much of a future, yet you are working on battery-electric cars. Why?
The performance of batteries is evolving and there are possibilities. But the energy that can be stored is less than an internal combustion engine can produce, and with current battery technology electric vehicles are city commuters. But they could be used as a second car, with an internal combustion-engined car as the first vehicle. We are in the midst of considering what can be done with an electric commuter car.

Honda has, from an early stage, worked on fuel cell vehicles. Battery EVs are heavy, not fun to drive and aren’t reliable, and when it comes to cars lighter is better. FCVs are going in that direction.

So when do you think you’ll be selling fuel cell cars?
We don’t have any plans to sell them as there isn’t a hydrogen infrastructure to support them, and they would be very expensive. Infrastructure is key to the adoption of fuel cell vehicles.

And the cost?
We can do cost reduction and mass production of the technology. It’s simple to produce fuel cells; it’s the chemicals they use that cost money, along with the precious metals. But we can cut the cost of those, too.

What’s happened to the small sub-Jazz car that was mentioned last year?
The recession has caused our business to go through difficult times, and we had to revise our business plan, which has slowed development. Our priority now is to increase sales of the Jazz in Europe. But we haven’t given up on the small car. We’d like to try it in Asia first.

Would you consider a joint venture with another car maker?
I don’t imagine Honda seeking a partner. But if another car maker approached Honda, what would happen? Well, the final products coming out of the factory would have to be Honda products. I wouldn’t rule out the possibility of a partnership, but I can’t see a need for it now.

Volkswagen is working on recycled carbonfibre for cars. Is that something you’re interested in?
The problem with carbonfibre is that you have to bake it at high temperature and at high pressure, which is not suitable for mass production. It’s difficult to recycle, too; recycled carbonfibre can’t be reused in automobiles. That’s why I don’t think it will be used in mass-produced cars.

Source;
http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle.aspx?AR=245649#

Eco Cars: Honda Native all-electric concept vehicle can change its color

Eco Factor: Zero-emission concept vehicle designed to run on electricity.

With the world in need of cars that are smarter, efficient and powered by clean fuels, industrial designers are working hard on next-gen vehicles that are light in weight, boast unique features and are powered by electric batteries. Auto designer Tudoran Liviu has come up with a concept electric vehicle dubbed the Honda Native, which packs all these requirements in a stunning package.

The concept vehicle is made of lightweight materials and uses, in some regions, a photochromatic material that allows the car to change its color when temperature, light or other environmental changes occur. The Honda Native is designed to be powered by an electric engine that is fueled by a high voltage lithium-ion battery pack.

The interiors are also designed from lightweight materials such as aluminum and offer an OLED display to provide information regarding the performance of the car and a touchscreen control panel for easy access to all other functions. No word on how long can this car run on its batteries, but considering the use of lightweight materials and the minimalist design, we are expecting some decent figures.

Source;
http://www.ecofriend.org/entry/eco-cars-honda-native-all-electric-concept-vehicle-can-change-its-color/

Honda throws down green car gauntlet

Honda Motor is stepping up its “green car” challenge to Toyota, adding two petrol-electric hybrid vehicles to its line-up next year, including a hybrid version of its top-selling Fit sub-compact.

Takanobu Ito, Honda’s chief executive, said the Japanese carmaker was also developing a more powerful hybrid drive for larger vehicles that will use two electric motors alongside its petrol engine, the same configuration used in Toyota’s dominant Prius hybrid.

Honda has emerged this year as Toyota’s most serious rival in low-emission vehicles. Its Insight hybrid, revived after a three-year production hiatus, has been a hit, particularly in Japan, where it was briefly the best-selling full-sized car before being eclipsed by the newest version of the Prius.

Honda’s decision to launch a hybrid version of the Fit extends its strategy of competing primarily on price.

The car, which is called the Jazz in Europe and some other regions, will use the Insight’s single-motor hybrid drive, which is cheaper to build but less powerful or fuel-efficient than Toyota’s two-motor system.

The Fit is likely to be the most affordable hybrid yet, a distinction now held by the Y1.89m ($20,400) Insight. Mr Ito said Honda would begin selling the car in Japan by the end of next year, but did not give a timetable for an international roll-out.

Honda’s other planned hybrid offering, the small CR-Z concept sports car, is to go on sale domestically in February and will also use the single-motor drive.

Honda is hoping to increase hybrid sales to 500,000 hybrid cars a year early in the next decade, equivalent to 15 per cent of its current sales volume.

“We want to transfer the Insight’s affordable hybrid technology to other models as quickly as possible,” said Mr Ito, who took over as Honda chief executive last month.

Toyota plans to launch four new hybrids in Japan and three overseas next March, and has said it wants to offer hybrid versions of all its cars by 2020.

Honda has also been working on “clean diesel” systems and has built a prototype hydrogen fuel-cell car, the FCX Clarity, which it began leasing to a handful of customers in California last year.
Mr Ito suggested Honda was now more firmly focused on hybrids, saying it was “struggling” to make heavy diesel engines cheaply and that the infrastructure needed to process and distribute hydrogen “isn’t moving forward”.

He said he wanted to turn Honda, whose earnings have held up better than most carmakers’ during the slump, into an even leaner and more flexible operation. Honda will use more locally made parts in cars it sells in China, India and other emerging markets, he said, in order to keep costs down and compete with local rivals, and will reduce the number of domestic-only models it sells in Japan.

Source;
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/42f0aa7a-6f99-11de-bfc5-00144feabdc0.html

The Least and Most Polluting Cars of 2009

Top 20 Least Polluting Vehicles of 2009
20th place (tie): Saturn Astra, Ford Focus, Mazda3, Pontiac G5, Nissan Versa
A number of cars post a CO2 per year rating of 3,552 kg. The Saturn Astra with a manual transmission, the Ford Focus with an automatic transmission (which should get better with the double-clutch model in 2010), the 2.0-liter Mazda3 with a manual transmission (the only Mazda on the list), the Pontiac G5 with an automatic transmission and the Nissan Versa with an automatic transmission.

19th place (tie): Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 (manual)
Equipped with a manual transmission, the Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 improve their score to 3,504 kg/year of CO2.

19th place (tie): Hyundai Elantra (manual)
The Hyundai Elantra with a manual transmission also releases 3,504 kg of CO2 per year.

18th place (tie): Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, Nissan Versa, Toyota Matrix, Pontiac Vibe
Measuring in at 3,456 kg/year of CO2 are the Ford Focus manual, Hyundai Elantra automatic, Nissan Versa manual, and Pontiac Vibe and Toyota Matrix models equipped with the 1.8-litre engine with automatic.

18th place (tie): Ford Escape Hybrid 4WD
The Ford Escape Hybrid 4WD is the only SUV of this Top 20, releasing 3,456 kg/year.

17th place: Pontiac Wave, Chevrolet Aveo, Pontiac Vibe, Toyota Matrix, Honda Civic
Several cars produce 3,408 kg/year: the Chevrolet Aveo and the Aveo5 with an automatic transmission (and their cousins, the Pontiac G3 and Suzuki Swift+), the Honda Civic with a manual transmission as well as the 1.8-liter Toyota Matrix and Pontiac Vibe with a manual transmission.

16th place: Nissan Sentra (2.0L, CVT)
Sitting all alone in 16th place is the Nissan Sentra with a CVT automatic transmission, releasing 3,386 kg of CO2 per year.

15th place (tie): Mini Cooper, Clubman, Convertible, Hyundai Accent, Chevrolet Aveo, Saturn Aura Hybrid
Many cars produce 3,312 kg/year: the Chevrolet Aveo and the Aveo5 with a manual transmission (and, of course, the Pontiac G3 and Suzuki Swift+), the Hyundai Accent with a manual transmission, the non-turbocharged Mini with an automatic transmission (Cooper, Clubman or Convertible) as well as the Saturn Aura Hybrid.

15th place (tie): Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
Like the Saturn Aura, the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid produces 3,312 kg/year of CO2.

14th place (tie): Chevrolet Cobalt XFE, Kia Rio, Hyundai Accent, Mini Cooper S, Clubman S, Convertible S
Checking in at 3,264 kg/year of CO2 are the Chevrolet Cobalt XFE (and the Pontiac G5 XFE), the Kia Rio with an automatic transmission, the Hyundai Accent (automatic), the MINI Cooper S (Coupe, Clubman or Convertible) with a manual transmission as well as all the John Cooper Works.

13th place: Volkswagen Jetta TDI Clean Diesel (DSG)
With the new clean diesel technology and a double-clutch transmission, the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Clean Diesel produces 3,240 kg of CO2 per year.

12th place (tie): Kia Rio (manual)
The Kia Rio equipped with a manual transmission does better than the comparable Hyundai Accent with 3,216 kg of CO2 per year.

12th place (tie): Toyota Corolla (non-XRS, manual)
The Toyota Corolla with a 1.8-liter engine and a manual transmission produces 3,216 kg of CO2 per year.

11th place (tie): The clean diesel Volkswagen Jetta TDI
The clean diesel Volkswagen Jetta TDI Clean Diesel with a manual transmission releases 3,186 kg of CO2 per year, the same as the wagon version.

10th place: Toyota Corolla (non-XRS, automatic)
The Toyota Corolla with an automatic transmission fares better than the manual version at 3,168 kg/year.

9th place (tie): Honda Fit (manual)
The Honda Fit with a manual transmission releases 3,120 kg of CO2 per year.

9th place (tie): Honda Civic (manual)
Although equipped with a bigger engine than the automatic-transmission Fit, the Honda Civic with a manual transmission produces about the same amount of CO2, with 3,120 kg/year.

8th place (tie): Honda Fit (automatic)
The Honda Fit with an automatic transmission produces 3,072 kg of CO2 per year.

8th place (tie): Toyota Yaris (automatic)
The Toyota Yaris with an automatic transmission posts the same performance as the Fit, with 3,072 kg/year.

7th place (tie): All 1.6-liter Minis – Cooper Clubman and Convertible
With a manual transmission produce 3,024 kg/year.

7th place (tie): Toyota Yaris (manual)
The Toyota Yaris with a manual transmission releases just over 3 tons of CO2 per year, with 3,024 kg.

6th place: Ford Escape Hybrid 2WD
Without the all-wheel-drive system, the Ford Escape Hybrid produces just under 3 tons of CO2 – 2,928 kg/year to be exact.

5th place: Nissan Altima Hybrid
One of the sportiest driving hybrids around, the Nissan Altima Hybrid checks in at 2,784 kg/year.

4th place: Toyota Camry Hybrid
The Toyota Camry Hybrid tops the large sedans category, with 2,736 kg of CO2 each year. But watch out for competition from the new Ford Fusion Hybrid which will arrive in showrooms later this spring …

3rd place: Smart Fortwo
Despite its small size, the Smart fortwo and the convertible version produce 2,592 kg per year. Surely, you’d think that this car could do better!

2nd place: Honda Civic Hybrid
The Honda Civic Hybrid may not have the look of a green car but it produces just 2,160 kg/year.

1st place: Toyota Prius
This was to be expected. The most fuel-efficient car in the country is also the least polluting vehicle, with 1,968 kg of CO2 per year. And that’s not all. The next-generation Prius is more fuel efficient; it seems as if Toyota will hold on to its first place position in this category.

Source;
http://en.autos.sympatico.msn.ca/showpage/LeastPolluting2009.aspx

Source for the MOST POLLUTING CARS OF 2009
http://en.autos.sympatico.msn.ca/showpage/MostPolluting2009.aspx

Honda takes top spot again in annual green vehicle ranking

Honda has once again topped the list in the annual environmental ratings for 2009 models published by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEE).
Despite tough times in the global car industry, manufacturers continue to make progress by fine-tuning their engines and transmissions and adding emissions control technologies to comply with forthcoming federal fuel economy standards.

ACEE’s Green Book® Online once again placed Honda’s natural gas-powered Civic GX in pole position - a title it has held for the past five years - with the Toyota Prius and Honda Civic hybrids following close behind.

Top ten rankings also went to the Smart Fortwo Convertible, the Toyota Yaris and the Nissan Altima hybrid.

US domestic car maker, Chevrolet managed a top ten spot with its Cobalt/Pontiac G5 twins, marking the improving performance of US domestic vehicles in the rankings.

Volkswagen’s Jetta and Jetta Sportswagon diesels just missed out on the top spots, but highlighted the progress made in ‘clean diesel’ technology – meeting emissions standards in 50 states – a target previously not met by diesel-powered vehicles.

Now in its 12th year, the ACEE Green Book Online guide to cars and trucks highlights 2009’s ‘Greenest’, ‘Meanest’ and ‘Greener Choices’, as well as advice on how to ‘buy green’.

Below are the ratings highlights for GREENEST Vehicles;
Below are the ratings for the MEANEST vehicles;

Source;
http://www.aceee.org/

Honda outlines its green car future

It’s the time of year when most of us take stock of what’s gone before and evaluate our futures - and Japanese car maker Honda is no exception.

Its CEO Takeo Fukui has outlined the steps that Honda is taking in the short-term to tackle the global financial crisis while also addressing the company’s long term green car commitments.

According to Fukui, Honda will concentrate its efforts on the development of fuel efficient cars more than ever. He has outlined hybrid models of both small cars and motorcycles as the key to achieving this goal. Honda believes that hybrid technology is the most realistic path to carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction at this moment and will be focusing its energies on hybrids in an effort to achieve mass market penetration.

In particular, the eagerly anticipated Honda Insight, which will debut at January’s Detroit show, has been strongly emphasised while the company will also consider applying hybrid technology to medium and large-size vehicles.

To support the sale of hybrid models, the company will strengthen its manufacturing system. Production of the hybrid motor for the IMA system has already begun for the first time at the Suzuka Factory and motor capacity will be increased to 250,000 units annually. Honda will also establish a production system and determine the capabilities needed for a further increase in demand for hybrid cars.

In addition, Honda will focus on accelerating product development of small cars to fulfil strong demand from customers, particularly in emerging countries. A new small car will be positioned in the class below the Fit and be introduced in the next two-three years.

Honda will also remain committed to advancing its global production system with a central focus on Japan and in creating fuel-efficient products. According to Fukui, Honda is developing a battery powered electric motorcycle to be introduced to the market in around two years.

Source;
http://www.thegreencarwebsite.co.uk/blog/index.php/2008/12/22/honda-outlines-its-green-car-future/

How the VCM works in a 2008 Honda Accord V6 Engine

VCM = Variable Cylinder Management.

Here's how it works;

i-VTEC with 3-stage Advanced Variable Cylinder Management™ (VCM™)
The Accord’s available SOHC V-6 with automatic transmission includes i-VTEC with Advanced VCM. With the boost in fuel efficiency attributable to VCM, the larger and more powerful Accord V-6 with automatic transmission actually gets better fuel economy than its smaller, less powerful predecessor when tested with the same methodology.

VCM Operation
To help improve the fuel efficiency of the V-6 engine available with the 5-speed automatic transmission, the latest generation of Honda’s VCM is used. This is the first application of VCM on a non-hybrid Accord model. Unlike previous VCM systems that switched between three- and six-cylinder operation, the Accord’s system can operate on three, four or all six cylinders.

During start-up, acceleration or when climbing hills – any time high power output is required – the engine operates on all six cylinders. During moderate speed cruising and at low engine loads, the system operates just one bank of three cylinders. For moderate acceleration, higher-speed cruising and mild hills, the engine operates on four cylinders.

With three operating modes, the VCM system can finely tailor the working displacement of the engine to match the driving requirements from moment to moment. Since the system automatically closes both the intake and exhaust valves of the cylinders that are not used, pumping losses associated with intake and exhaust are eliminated and fuel economy gets a further boost. The VCM system combines maximum performance and maximum fuel economy – two characteristics that don’t typically coexist in conventional engines.

VCM deactivates specific cylinders by using the VTEC (Variable Valve-Timing and Lift Electronic Control) system to close the intake and exhaust valves while the Powertrain Control Module simultaneously cuts fuel to those cylinders. When operating on three cylinders, the rear cylinder bank is shut down. When running on four cylinders, the left and center cylinders of the front bank operate, and the right and center cylinders of the rear bank operate.

The spark plugs continue to fire in inactive cylinders to minimize plug temperature loss and prevent fouling induced from incomplete combustion during cylinder re-activation.

The system is electronically controlled, and uses special integrated spool valves that do double duty as rocker-shaft holders in the cylinder heads. Based on commands from the system’s electronic control unit, the spool valves selectively direct oil pressure to the rocker arms for specific cylinders. This oil pressure in turn drives synchronizing pistons that connect and disconnect the rocker arms.

The VCM system monitors throttle position, vehicle speed, engine speed, automatic-transmission gear selection and other factors to determine the correct cylinder activation scheme for the operating conditions. In addition, the system determines whether engine oil pressure is suitable for VCM switching and whether catalytic-converter temperature will remain in the proper range. To smooth the transition between activating or deactivating cylinders, the system adjusts ignition timing, drive-by-wire throttle position and turns the torque converter lock-up on and off. As a result, the transition between three-, four-, and six-cylinder operation is unnoticeable to the driver.

First U.S.-spec Honda FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicles roll off production line

Honda today announced its hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, the FCX Clarity, started production at the automaker's dedicated fuel cell vehicle factory in Japan. The first five four-seater sedans will be delivered to American VIPs in Southern California in July, with Honda planning on releasing 200 examples Stateside and in Japan over three years. The FCX is the first fuel cell-powered car to be approved for lease in the U.S.

The five California customers include film producer Ron Yerxa, actress and author Jamie Lee Curtis, her film-making husband Christopher Guest, actress Laura Harris and first-gen FCX owner Jon Spallino. The region has three Honda dealers equipped to service the vehicle and three hydrogen filling stations. Honda will study the drivers' driving patterns and the vehicle's performance to learn and improve on the technology in future versions of the car.

The Clarity promises to deliver a 280-mile range and an equivalent gasoline fuel economy of about 74mpg thanks to its lithium ion battery pack that drives an electric motor. Electricity for the battery pack is generated by the fuel cell, with the only by-product being water. Compared to the first-generation car, which was available in Japan only, the new FCX represents a 30 percent increase in range and a 25 percent improvement in fuel economy thanks to a battery pack that is 40 percent smaller and half as heavy.

The FCX's motor is rated at 134 horsepower and 189 lb-ft of torque available instantenously. Customers who wish to lease the FCX will need to meet Honda's requirements (proximity to filling stations and driving habits chief among them) and sign up for a three-year lease at $600 per month.

Source;
http://www.leftlanenews.com/first-us-spec-honda-fcx-clarity-fuel-cell-vehicles-roll-off-production-lines.html

What to Expect in a North American Diesel Honda Accord/Acura TSX

Well, it looks like the Acura TSX is going to be getting the Diesel treatment here in North America before the Honda Accord. The diesel is currently being sold in Europe as the European Accord (for those of you who don't know, this Euro Accord is smaller than our current NA Accord and is badged under the Acura Logo TSX). I am guessing that the NA Accord will get the diesel by 2010 or 2011 along with the Honda CRV. Here's an artcle I found on the NYTimes. Keep in mind, all of you Canadians, the US gallon is smaller than the Canadian gallon, so MPG numbers will be dramatically different here, four Canadian gallons = five U.S. gallons.

A Honda on a Diesel Diet
By LAWRENCE ULRICH

HONDA has spent decades establishing a reputation for fuel efficiency. But nothing in the company’s current lineup, including its Civic Hybrid, can match the mileage of the diesel Accord that I recently tested in and around New York City.

Minus its diesel powertrain, the European-market 2007 Accord that I drove is nearly identical to the car that Honda had been selling in the United States as the Acura TSX. That Accord should give a solid indication of the mileage and performance American consumers can expect when

Honda offers a diesel option for the redesigned 2009 TSX.

The Accord — a demonstration car provided by Robert Bosch, the German technology company, to highlight its fuel injectors and other diesel components — returned a remarkable 53 miles a gallon on the highway, 34 in the city and 44 in combined driving. Those miles included a bumper-to-bumper crawl through Manhattan, the worst possible conditions for fuel efficiency.

The model I drove was powered by a 4-cylinder diesel displacing 2.2 liters and producing 140 horsepower and a stout 250 pound-feet of torque — the force that drivers feel pushing them into their seats under acceleration. That huge torque relative to the engine’s size is a main advantage of modern turbodiesels, making them well-suited to small economy cars and to burly S.U.V.’s that need torque for towing and hauling.

The America-bound Acura will use a new version of the 2.2-liter engine that I tested. The engine is notable for meeting 50-state emissions standards with no need to carry an onboard tank of urea, an ammonia-generating solution that other diesels use to scrub smoggy nitrogen oxides from the exhaust. Honda’s patented pollution system generates its own ammonia to fulfill the same mission. While that cleaner emissions system wasn’t installed on the Honda I tested, engineers expect it to have no discernable effect on fuel economy.

As with other diesels I’ve driven recently, the Honda’s frugal highway mileage and versatile power are important advantages over the typical hybrid. The Accord covered the zero-to-60 run in just under 9 seconds in my testing, which doesn’t sound spectacular on paper. But its passing power from 30, 50 or even 70 miles an hour was terrific, as the Honda easily shot past slower cars.

And as more hybrid owners are discovering, their cars deliver little or no mileage gain on the highway. That’s because battery packs and electric motors add several hundred pounds, and the system also contributes negligible energy at freeway speeds.

Also unlike hybrids, which require drivers to go easy on the gas pedal, watch the speed limit and coast when possible to improve the mileage, the diesel Honda delivered brilliant economy with no special effort. Even spirited driving didn’t dent the mileage much. The Accord delivered 50 m.p.g. even during a 75-m.p.h. cruise and 40 m.p.g. when I flogged it like a Nascar yahoo.

The Acura’s only diesel telltale is an idle that’s slightly louder than a gasoline car’s, though it’s not at all obtrusive. There was no trace of diesel smell or black exhaust and except for the enormous diesel decal on the car’s side, my passengers would have been unaware that a diesel was under the hood.
(Nice!)

I also recently spent a week with the Audi Q7 3.0 TDI sport utility, which will go on sale in January. That model, with a 3-liter turbocharged V-6, delivered about 25 m.p.g. on the highway. But the Audi’s mileage seemed more fragile than the Honda’s, dropping sharply in city traffic and in spirited driving. That was probably due to its sheer mass; the Q7 weighed more than 5,000 pounds.

Audi also demonstrates the performance possibilities of diesel with its exotic R8 V-12 TDI concept sports car, which I took for a too-brief test drive. That blood-red, all-wheel-drive Audi had a 12-cylinder diesel mounted behind my head, generating 500 horsepower and an astounding 737 pound-feet of torque. Audi claims the R8 will rocket from 0 to 60 in about 4 seconds and reach a top speed of 190 m.p.h., all while delivering 24 m.p.g. Audi has not said whether it will put the car into production.

Link:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/18/automobiles/autoreviews/18DRIVE.html?_r=3&fta=y&oref=slogin&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

Honda Civic #1Selling Car in US for Month of May (1st Time!)

This is old news for us Canadians, because the Honda Civic has been the #1 selling car for 9 years straight! This is pretty big news in the US though.

http://en.autos.sympatico.msn.ca/guides_and_advice/article.aspx?cp-documentid=6198519

The Honda Civic has become the best selling car in the United States in May, beating out both the , the Toyota Camry, by 53,299 for the Civic and 51,291 for the Camry.

If you really want to see what $4.00 a gallon gas has don,e then note that it has beat out the Ford F-150, the long time best selling vehicle, by 10.326 units!

Never underestimate the power of the pump!

Source:

http://www.autospies.com/news/Honda-s-Civic-Blows-Out-The-Competition-Out-For-Number-One-Spot-In-May-30690/

Honda Positioned Well in Current Market Conditions

With the current state of high gas prices across North America, buyers are switching their buying habits to smaller cars, which makes some manufacturer's more prepared than others. While some manufacturer's are shutting down production and laying off workers (Ford, GM, Dodge....), Honda with it's class leading Honda Civic and Honda FIT are selling in droves, which is having a positive affect for Honda's production. Sure, sales of the Ridgeline, Pilot, and even Odyssey have dipped a bit, but with the surgence of the Civic, Fit, and I will even say CRV, instead of laying off worker's or shutting down plants, Honda is just switching production around and moving workers from one plant to another to keep up with demand.

Honda saving U.S. jobs by switching models

Yuri Kageyama / Associated Press

TOKYO -- Honda will meet growing U.S. demand for small cars while maintaining North American jobs by moving production of two bigger models from Canada to Alabama, Chief Executive Takeo Fukui said Thursday.
Honda Motor Co.'s Pilot sport-utility vehicle and Ridgeline pickup, now rolling off its plant in Alliston, Ontario, will be produced in Lincoln, Ala., allowing the production of the Civic sedan to be raised in Canada, he said.
"Gas prices continue to rise, and the demand for cars with good mileage is growing," Fukui told reporters at a Tokyo hotel. "Efforts are under way to increase the local production of the Civic."

Even the usually booming Japanese automakers are sensing the pinch from a U.S. economic slowdown and soaring material costs, including steel. But the Japanese are holding up better than their American rivals because of their reputation for fuel-efficient offerings.

General Motors' top managers are working on additional restructuring measures to deal with a declining U.S. auto market and an accelerated shift from trucks to more fuel-efficient vehicles, a person familiar with the plan told The Associated Press late Wednesday.

Such a move would come on top of thousands of job cuts at GM over the past three years mainly through buyout and early retirement offers.

Ford said earlier this week that it's planning involuntary layoffs of salaried employees by August as part of a restructuring in the face of slumping sales and record-high gas prices.

Honda's production changes won't create -- or cut -- any jobs in North America. But Fukui noted it will maintain sales momentum.
"And the point is we won't have to reduce employment," he said.

Honda will create American jobs when its plant to build Civics opens in Indiana later this year. That plant, Honda's seventh in North America, is expected to add about 2,000 jobs.
Fukui said Honda's Fit subcompact is another model that is emerging a hit in the U.S., a nation previously known to favor gas-guzzlers.
Still, the overall U.S. auto sales are expected to drop to around 15 million vehicles this year -- down from 17 million as recently as 2005.

For April, General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler all saw double-digit U.S. sales declines compared to last April. But Honda, along with Nissan Motor Co. and Toyota Motor Corp., reported year-on-year gains.

Relatively new auto plants are flexible in production, allowing models to be switched to respond to shifts in demand. At some plants, the same assembly line can produce different models, one after the other.

Source:

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080529/AUTO01/805290438/1148

How the 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid Sedan Works

This is Honda's hybrid answer. The Honda Civic hybrid showcases Honda's renewed commitment to Hybrid technology and gives drivers a environmentally friendly car without any compromise on style, performance or comfort.

Honda's Hybrid system is called Integrated Motor Assist (IMA). Developed in 1999 it was first launched in the 2 seat-er Honda Insight which gave an idea of how advanced it was - 83 miles per gallon on a combined cycle.

Hybrid is the combination of a gas engine with an electric motor. The electric motor is coupled to a powerful battery. The electric motor helps the engine by giving it a boost during acceleration and solely runs the car at idle to reduce emissions and fuel consumption. The battery that powers the electric motor charges itself up with regenerative energy from deceleration and braking. A regenerative brake is a mechanism that reduces vehicle speed by converting some of its kinetic energy into electrical energy. A brake pedal sensor sends a signal to the car's computer, activating systems whenever the driver applies the brake. This allows braking energy from the wheels to be stored as electrical energy in the high voltage battery for future use. Therefore the car never needs to be recharged from an external power supply. This regenerative brake assistance also extends the life of the brakes and their components as it reduces its workload appreciably.

The majority of the hybrid cars available in the market today aren't that good looking. And nobody wants to drive around in a car that looks like a deflated football. Honda engineers have taken note and engineered the components to enhance looks and more importantly, help achieve their primary targets.

The elegant styling combines a sweeping roof-line, a sharply raked windscreen and short overhangs that contribute to the vehicle's advanced mono-form profile. Superior aerodynamics is achieved by ultra-tight body panels that fit firmly around the monocoque frame. A chin spoiler and a lip spoiler are also designated to aid the aerodynamics by reducing turbulence beneath and behind the car. The low-drag alloy wheels are made specifically for the Civic Hybrid so to enhance the looks and reduce excess weight while the opposable windscreen wipers serve both styling and efficient cleaning purposes.

The fuel tank is made from an innovative six-layer polyethylene composite material that blocks fuel evaporation and saves weight. The front sub-frame which accommodates the engine and transmission is produced from hydro-formed elements for increased strength and rigidity. Special rubber floating mounts minimize the level of road and engine NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) entering the passenger cabin.

But it's not all about the looks. Honda's new IMA system gives out more power than a conventional 1.6-litre engine (115PS), but only uses the same amount of fuel as a 1.1-litre car. There's no ambiguous starting procedure or complicated operating system – it looks and drives like a modern, stylish saloon with a top speed of 115mph. The Civic Hybrid's engine took top honors for three successive years at International Engine of the Year "1 litre to 1.4 litre" size category award from 2002 through 2004 and the "Best Fuel Economy" category for 2003 and 2004.

The Civic hybrid is one of the safest cars in its class. It is equipped with ABS and Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) to achieve decent stability and high braking performance. Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) assists the driver in maintaining maximum possible control during cornering, acceleration and sudden manoeuvres by applying braking either to the right or left wheels accordingly while controlling the throttle and brake systems simultaneously.

The Civic Hybrid uses multiple "load paths" to limit penetration of the car's structure by absorbing more of the crash energy if it encounters a collision. Whatever energy gets through is mitigated by the car's eight standard air bags. The Civic Hybrid has earned top safety rankings from NHTSA and IIHS. To help reduce pedestrian injuries in the event of a collision, the Civic Hybrid's bonnet and wing areas are designed to deform if contacted by the head of an adult or child pedestrian. Energy-absorbing collapsible bonnet supports, wiper arms and wing mounts are designed to allow a degree of deformation in an impact making this car very safe to travel in.

For more information on some other 'Green Cars' check out the link;
http://www.automotoportal.com/article/5-best-selling-green-cars

2010/2011 Honda FIT Hybrid

Adding a hybrid version of the popular and 10Best-winning Fit seems much like putting a second layer of icing on an already tasty cake. But in his press conference, Fukai is quoted as saying the premium for the hybrid over the conventional Fit cannot exceed $2000. The current price of a Fit ranges from $14,585 to $16,705. The hybrid reportedly would go on sale by 2015 with the third-generation of the B-segment car.
While Toyota gets most of the credit for the burgeoning hybrid market, Honda was actually first on the scene in the U.S. with the Insight in 1999. But consumers have not snapped up its subsequent hybrids, forcing the automaker to drop its Accord hybrid from the 2008 model line due to slow sales.