Even though Honda just a few years ago made the bold move to build a totally market ready and completely practical hydrogen powered sedan with the FCX Clarity, they still have plenty of detractors who say that the Volt and Leaf are proof that Honda is no longer an innovative leader in green car technologies. Well, over at the Honda stand they chose to just gently remind the automotive press of some of their most impressive accomplishments in alternative energy vehicles with the latest, of course, being the 2012 Honda Civic Natural Gas that was named the “Green Car of the Year” at the 2011 LA Auto Show.
But that’s not all that Honda was showing off as just a couple of years ago this company did what nobody else has done and introduced an utterly market ready hydrogen powered sedan on an entirely original platform in the form of the FCX Clarity. The ultra-high technology Clarity is still leased in limited numbers and was at the show but unfortunately this “green car alternative” arrived with bad timing in a market that has only ever given full attention to hybrids or full electrics.
Now, Honda has its own electric version of the Honda Fit which promises a longer range than the Fit and the possibility of a 3 hour recharge time which would do much to improve the usability of full electrics to normal consumers. But still, Honda knew it had to do more so it decided to be the only brand to sell an “alternatively fuelled” vehicle in pretty much every category and it looks dead set on getting that done in the next couple of years.
As electricity mainly comes from coal burning plants or nuclear power plants which pose their very own unique own set of threats in this country, even the most ardent green car lover has to agree that it isn’t a totally “pure” power source. Natural gas, on the other hand, is ridiculously abundant pretty much everywhere in the United States and thanks to new legislation and technologies drilling for it has never been less harmful to the surrounding environment. This, in turn, also has the side benefit of creating more jobs mining the gas and might also create more U.S. based jobs with Honda as the 2012 Civic natural gas sedan is made here with parts from local suppliers.
The 2012 model starts at $26,155 and comes equipped much like an EX model with climate control, power everything, alloys, Bluetooth, the i-MiD system which controls audio/phone/trip computer functions, an excellent 6-speaker audio system with AM/FM/CD/XM audio and much more. If you need more reasons to buy one for your commute then consider that this vehicle will give a 260 or so mile travelling range, a 48 mile per gallon equivalency rating from the EPA and that natural gas generally costs 30% less than gasoline.
The 2012 Honda Civic natural gas is powered by a 106 horsepower 4-cylinder engine that has no special service requirements and has proven through previous generations that it is generally even more durable than the normally bulletproof Civic engine ranges as it doesn’t have to deal with the harsh combustion residue left behind by regular fossil fuel gasoline. After 200,000 miles of testing Honda has torn these motors down and found that most of the parts looked nearly as new as when they were dropped off for assembly at the factory.
Also, for 2012 there is also now an optional navigation system package ($1,500) available with the Civic natural gas that can guide you to the closest refueling station to your home, work or current location. Honda plans on introducing the 2012 Civic natural gas in most states (it still gets a carpool lane exemption sticker as a zero emissions vehicle in places like California) in the Continental U.S.A. and increase production levels so it should be as easy to buy one as it will be to refuel it.
To help us sum up Honda’s much deserved victory in the “Green Car of the Year” competition at the 2011 LA Auto Show we asked their Environmental and Safety PR representative Jessica Fini what she thought the excitement, “I think we won because we are the only one offering an affordable, natural gas powered sedan that is every inch a Honda in that it’s frugal but always still fun to drive. Especially considering the fact that natural gas is so abundant in the United States and how clean it burns into the atmosphere, a car like this could really make a difference. The 2012 Honda Civic Natural Gas is a car for right now.”
