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/