Honda Introduces Solar Hydrogen Station on Saitama Prefectural Office Grounds

FCX Clarity Used in Electric Vehicle Testing Program to Serve as Mobile Electric Generator

TOKYO, Japan, March 27, 2012 - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. unveiled a Solar Hydrogen Station on the grounds of the Saitama Prefectural Office. The initiative is part of the Electric Vehicle Testing Program for Honda’s next-generation personal mobility products with Saitama Prefecture, in which Honda, Iwatani and Saitama Prefecture collaborate to build. In a further initiative, Honda has equipped the FCX Clarity fuel cell electric vehicle with an outlet to function as a 9kW power source. Since the FCX Clarity uses a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen to produce power with zero CO2 emissions, with its new outlet, the vehicle will be able to serve as a zero-emission mobile electric generator.

This is the first installation in Japan of a total system to produce, store and dispense hydrogen with ZERO CO2 emissions. A high pressure water electrolysis system, uniquely developed by Honda, produces hydrogen. With no mechanical compressor, the system is nearly silent and highly energy efficient. Using Solar and grid power, the system is capable of producing 1.5kg of hydrogen within 24 hours which enables an FCX Clarity to run approximately 150km or 90 miles. Honda aims to further develop the system to offer clean energy sources for the home in the future.

Source;

http://world.honda.com/news/2012/4120327Solar-Hydrogen-Station/index.html

Honda Looks to U.S. Dealers to Boost Natural Gas Station Network

Honda Motor Co. (7267), the only automaker selling compressed natural gas-powered cars to U.S. drivers, wants some of its dealers to also install pumps to sell the fuel as its seeks to double sales of CNG vehicles.

Boosting sales of Indiana-built Civic Natural Gas sedans requires more fuel stations, Steve Center, U.S. vice president for environmental business development, said in an interview. Honda is negotiating with regulators in California, the biggest U.S. market for CNG vehicles, seeking to have pumps placed at two or more Honda dealerships this year, he said yesterday.

“If the dealer had a fueling station, it would really reduce some of that concern for the customer,” Center said at Honda’s U.S. headquarters in Torrance, California. “It’s not our place to create infrastructure, but it’s a chicken-and-egg situation and we’re going to have to nurse that egg along.”

Honda’s strategy of marketing autos powered by natural gas, a domestically sourced fuel that’s cheaper than gasoline and emits less tailpipe exhaust, comes as U.S.-based competitors plan their own CNG models. General Motors Co. (GM) and Chrysler Group LLC this week both said they’re readying pickups that will run on the fuel.

The U.S. yesterday raised its forecast for natural gas output in 2012 by 0.4 percent and lowered its outlook for prices. Marketed gas production will average 67.91 billion cubic feet a day in 2012, up from 67.64 billion estimated in February, the Energy Department said in its monthly Short-Term Energy Outlook, released in Washington.

Unanswered Questions
The equivalent of a gallon of compressed natural gas cost an average of $2.13 in January, compared with $3.37 for regular gasoline, according to the Energy Department.

The International Association for Natural Gas Vehicles says on its website there were 1,000 stations and 112,000 natural gas vehicles in the U.S. as of December 2010.

“We’re adding stations rapidly,” said Richard Kolodziej, president of NGV America, a Washington-based trade group that lobbies for natural gas vehicles. “ If you are in an area where there aren’t any fueling stations, this is a great option,” he said of Honda’s plan.

Currently, 270 U.S. Honda dealers plan to sell the Civic Natural Gas, a revamped version of the Civic GX compact sold since the 1990s. The Tokyo-based carmaker’s initial goal is to sell “4,000 to 5,000” CNG vehicles annually, double the previous rate, Center said. Honda builds the model at its Greensburg, Indiana, plant.

‘Fill in Holes’
Details such as the cost of a CNG station at a dealership, how many vehicles it could serve a day and how many such facilities may be established are still being studied, Center said. Honda can work with dealers to obtain needed permits, apply for public incentives and provide financing, he said.

“Something like this helps fill in holes,” Center said. “We want to select a couple of test cases and walk through it.”

Honda hasn’t determined how many such dealer fuel stations may be opened in California and other states, he said. Center, whose previous assignments at Honda included managing U.S. advertising and Acura sales, said part of his new job includes finding uses for environmentally friendly technologies developed by the company.

The Civic Natural Gas sedan costs $26,155, or $2,100 more than a hybrid version of the compact model. The car was named 2012 Green Car of the Year at the Los Angeles auto show in November.

The car averages 31 miles per gallon equivalent of fuel, and holds the equivalent of 8 gallons of compressed gas. Incentives for owners in California include a permit allowing a driver without passengers to use highway carpool lanes.

Source;
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/print/2012-03-07/honda-looks-to-u-s-dealers-to-boost-natural-gas-station-network.html

Healthystuff.org's new 2012 Hazardous Chemical Study in New Cars

HealthyStuff.org Findings
HealthyStuff.org releases new test results for a variety of products throughout the year. This findings section highlights the latest set of test results and discusses overall trends and important findings for each set of products we test.

2012 New Vehicle Study
There's more to green vehicles than just fuel economy

HealthyStuff.org produces one-of-kind ratings for healthy interiors for new vehicles.
This is the only organization that routinely tests new vehicles for the health of their vehicle interiors and posts the data publicly for consumers.

While fuel economy is important, the public in increasingly concerned about chemical hazards in consumer products.

There is no mandatory testing or regulation of chemicals used inside vehicles. Thus, consumers face a lack of information while they are car shopping.

Long-term exposure even to small amounts of pollutants can adversely impact health. Children are at a greater risk for developing health problems because they breathe in more air with respect to their body size than adults and thus have greater exposure to interior vehicle pollutants.

Chemical Hazards in Vehicles
Exposure to many toxic chemicals is highest indoors: Average Americans spens up to 90% of their daily lives indoors. The EPA has estimated indoor air pollution levels can be two to five times higher than outdoor air pollution levels. EPA has ranked indoor air pollution one of the top five environmental risks to public health. Next to homes and offices, we spend the most time in automobiles: 1.5 hours per day on average.

The "New Car Smell" is toxic: The "new car smell" is actually the smell of toxic chemicals off-gassing from interior auto parts such as the seating, dashboards and vehicle trim. Since 1960 the quantity of plastics used in vehicles has grown ten-fold, rising from 22 pounds in 1960 to over 250 pounds today. Many synthetic materials and plastics are produced with chemical additives that are used to change the engineering performance of the plastics, thus these plastics may contain plasticizers, stabilizers, flame retardants, aintimicorbials and antioxidants. Due to these additives, many pollutants, including benzene, toluene and xylene, were found in levels exceeding indoor and outdoor air quality standards.

The concentrations of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) in vehicles contribute nearly 30% to total daily exposure.

Auto interiors are chemical reactors: Immediately after delivery, new vehicles have been found to be universally contaminated with very high concentrations of a large number of chemicals that diffuse from interior vehicle materials. Over 275 different chemicals have been identified in vehicles interiors, including chemicals associate with birth defects, impaired learning, liver toxicity and cancer. Automobiles are unique and harsh environments for plastics. Air temperature extremes of 192 F (89 C) and dash temperatures up to 248 F (120 C) have been observed in vehicles. These extreme temperatures can increase the concentration of VOCs and high levels of sunlight producing breakdown products which can also be harmful to human health.

Some cars are better the others, healthier cars are possible: HealthyStuff.org has screened 900 vehicles since 2006. Our unique tests show a clear difference between the best vehicles and bets companies and others. The best vehicles today have eliminated important chemical hazards, including hazardous flame retardants and PVC. Today, 17% of new vehicles have PVC-free interiors and 60% are produced without BFRs in the interiors.

Vehicle ratings
HealthyStuff.org is releasing one-of-kind test data on 204 new 2011-2012 model new vehicles. This data is part of a multi-year HealthyStuff.org vehicle database containing test results for 900 vehicles.

The overall best and worst vehicles are listed below. The 2012 Honda Civic (score 0.46) was the overall best-rated vehicle and 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport (score 3.17) was the overall worst-rated vehicle this year.

The Civic achieved its ranking by being free of bromine-base flame retardants is all interior components, utilizing PVC-free interior fabrics and interior trim, and low levels of heavy metals and other metal allergens.

The Mitsubishi Outlander contained bromine and antimony-bases flame retardants in seating, the center console and seat base, chromium treated leather on several components and over 400 ppm lead in seating materials.

Overall Vehicle Ratings: Overall vehicle ratings continue to improve. These improvements are due to a significant reduction in the use of PVC and BFR by some automakers.

Top Ranked Manufacturer: The top-rated automaker for healthy interiors continues to be Honda. Honda has been HealthyStuff.org's top ranked automaker every year since 2007. Hyundai-Kia has been the lowest ranked manufacturer for the last two years.

Auto Manufacturer Trends
Most Improved Automakers: Most improved automakers in terms of the average ratings for their vehicles are VW (+42%), Mitsubishi (+38%) and Ford (+30%). These represent improvement in their average vehicle scores between the combined 2009-2010 models years to the combined 2011-2012 model years.

Automakers With Declining Ratings: Two automakers had overall declining average scores between the combined 2009-2010 models years to the combined 2011-2012 model years. Daimler AG (-29%) and Volvo (-13%).

PVC in vehicles
PVC is the most toxic plastic: PVC, a widely used type of plastic in vehicles that is of concern to the environment and public health during all phases of its life cycle. During the production phase, workers at PVC facilities, as well as residents and wildlife in surrounding neighborhoods, may be exposed to the vinyl chloride monomer and/or dioxin, both of which are likely carcinogen. At the end of vehicle life, PVC causes a host of additional environmental issues. PVC is not easily recycled from auto parts and therefore often ends up in landfills, where the chemicals can leach out and contaminate soil, water and wildlife. Otherwise, it is incinerated or burned for energy recovery, in which case highly toxic dioxins and furans can form and be emitted into the air. Flexible PVC often contains hazardous plasticizers, or 'softeners,' called phthalates, which off-gas during vehicle use and are deposited on dust particles and windshields, where they cause "fogging."

PVC-free alternatives are available: PVC-free alternatives are available for almost every use of PVC in the automotive sector. In recent years, automakers have begun replacing PVC with polyurethanes and polyolefins, which contain fewer harmful additives and are easier to recycle.

On a fleet-wide basis PVC use continues to decline: Zero percent of pre-2006 vehicles had PVC-free interiors. 17% (34) of 2011/2012 vehicle models had PVC-free interiors. Overall 103, 2006-2012 model year vehicles in the HealthyStuff.org vehicle database have PVC-free interiors. A complete list of PVC-free vehicle is available.

Honda phases out PVC: Honda has virtually eliminated PVC, with 83% of its 2011/2012 models being free of PVC in the interiors. HealthyStuff.org testing confirms Honda achievement of its publicly stated commitment in its 2011 North American Environmental Report: "Honda's goal is to reduce the use of materials containing chlorine to a less than 1% concentration in materials that can end up in the waste stream as shredder residue at the end of an automobile's useful life."

Hazardous flame retardants in vehicles
Brominated flame retardants are widely use in vehicles: brominated flame retardants (BFRs) refers a wide range of brominated chemicals added to materials to both inhibit their ignition and slow their rate of combustion. Commonly used examples include polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) and tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), as well as brominated polymeric and oligomeric materials. 40% of vehicle tested in 2012 contained BFRs n the vehicle interiors.

Many BFRs are toxic and everywhere: Several BFRs, including certain PBDEs and HBCD, have known toxic properties, are highly resistant to degradation in the environment and are able to bioaccumulate (build up in animals and humans). Some are now widespread environmental pollutants, with higher levels generally being found in the atmosphere and rivers close to urban and industrialised areas. These compounds can be released from such products during use, leading to their presence in household dust and resulting in increased human exposure. And when these products reach the end of their useful lives, some disposal or recycling operations (e.g incineration, smelting and open burning) can release the bromine in other hazardous forms, including as hydrogen bromide and brominated dioxins. Levels of BFR's in the interior vehicle environment are 5-10 higher then homes and offices.

Vehicles can be safe without hazardous flame retardants: HealthyStuff.org testing illustrates that safer alternatives can be used to replace the most hazardous chemical used in vehicles. Alternatives which provide the degree of fire safety required under law without using organic compounds of bromine do already exist, including some direct chemical substitutes, as well as use of alternative materials and even product redesign in order to reduce or eliminate the need for flame-retardant additives.

Halogen-free vehicles
PVC & BFR-free vehicles are on the market today: Automakers continue to implement alternatives to PVC and BFRs. In 2006 only 2% of vehicle interiors were free of PVC and BFRs. In 2012, 4-times the number of vehicles (8%) were free of PVC and BFRs.

Regional Differences in Chemical Use
This data highlights regional differences in PVC and BFRs between European, Asian and North America assembled vehicles. The country in which vehicles were assembled was tracked using the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Overall, the progressive regulation of chemical additives in consumer products in Europe and end of life vehicle concerns in Asia is driving elimination of important chemical hazards from vehicles.

Asia: Vehicles assembled in Asia utilized significantly less PVC in vehicle components. On average, vehicles assembled in Japan or Korea showed a 50% reduction in the use of PVC. However, Asia assembled vehicles contained on average over twice the number of components. This data likely reflects the increased focus by Asian manufacturers, lead by Honda, on reducing the amount of chlorine in vehicles due to concerns about emissions during end-of-life vehicle processing.

Europe: Vehicles assembled in Europe utilized the most PVC, more than double the amount of vehicles assembled in other parts of the world. However, levels of BFR use in vehicles are by far the lowest in Europe. This difference likely reflects the impact of European regulations, including the End of Life Vehicle Directive, RHoS and REACH on components being used in vehicles.

North America: While all North American manufacturers market vehicles globally, our data illustrates that US produced vehicles lag behind European and Asian produced vehicles in PVC and BFR use reduction. The US has the weakest chemical regulatory system for chemical in consumer products and provides the fewest incentives for companies to phase-out hazardous chemicals.

Note: HealthyStuff.org only tests for a limited set of chemical hazards. Vehicles may also contain other chemical hazards, including chlorinated flame retardants (CFR) which were NOT tested for in this study

Source;
http://www.healthystuff.org/departments/cars/about.findings.php

Woman takes Honda to small-claims, wins big in fuel economy case

Ouch.
By Linda Deutsch Associated Press

Los Angeles— A Southern California woman took Honda to small-claims court and won in a big way.
Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner Douglas Carnahan ruled Wednesday that the automaker misled Heather Peters about the potential fuel economy of her hybrid car and awarded her $9,867 — much more than the couple hundred dollars cash that a proposed class-action settlement is offering.
"At a bare minimum Honda was aware ... that by the time Peters bought her car there were problems with its living up to its advertised mileage," Carnahan wrote in the judgment.
Honda disagrees with the judgment rendered in the case and plans to appeal the decision, company spokesman Chris Martin said in a statement.
Peters, a former lawyer, said she is renewing her legal license after a 10-year lapse so she can represent other Honda owners who have the same problems she did.
"Wow! Fantastic. I am absolutely thrilled," she said when the Associated Press informed her of the judge's decision. "Sometimes big justice comes in small packages. This is a victory for Honda Civic owners everywhere."
Carnahan included in his 26-page decision a long list of misleading representations by Honda that he said Peters had correctly identified. Among them were that the car would use "amazingly little fuel," "provides plenty of horsepower while still sipping fuel," and that it would "save plenty of money on fuel with up to 50 mpg during city driving."
"Actual performance of plaintiff's vehicle did not live up to these standards," he said. He noted that when she began receiving much less than the advertised mileage, "she knew she had a problem."
Peters opted out of the class-action lawsuit so she could try to claim a larger damage award for her 2006 Honda Civic's failure to deliver the 50 mpg that was promised.
The proposed class-action settlement would give aggrieved owners $100 to $200 each and a $1,000 credit toward the purchase of a new car. Legal fees in the class action would give trial lawyers $8.5 million, Peters said.
In small claims court, there are no attorneys' fees and cases are decided quickly.
Peters had hoped to inspire a flood of small-claims lawsuits by the other 200,000 people whose Honda Civic hybrids are covered by the proposed settlement. If all 200,000 owners sued and won in small claims court, she said, it could cost Honda Motor Co. $2 billion.
Peters launched a website, DontSettleWithHonda.org, and said she was contacted by hundreds of other car owners seeking guidance on filing small claims lawsuits if they opted out of the class-action case. But legal experts say it's unlikely that many owners would take the small-claims route because of the time and energy involved in pursuing such lawsuits.
Carnahan found that Honda did commit fraud, but he could not find intentional fraud and thus did not award punitive damages. Most of the damages Peters was awarded were for extra money spent on fuel, both in the past and future, the cost of the car battery, and the decrease in the car's value because of its problems.
A judge in San Diego County is due to rule in March on whether to approve Honda's class-action settlement. Members of the class have until Feb. 11 to accept or decline the deal.

Source;

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120202/AUTO01/202020429/Woman-takes-Honda-small-claims-wins-big-fuel-economy-case?odyssey=modnewswelltextFRONTPAGEp

Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid

Two electric motors and a plug, coming soon to an Accord near you.
January 2011
BY MICHAEL AUSTIN

While in Japan for the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, we visited Honda’s Twin Ring Motegi racing facility to see some of the company’s future products. Among them was a plug-in hybrid system, a prototype of which was installed in a current-generation Accord. While the car we drove is just a development mule, we can confidently say that a hybrid like this one will be part of the lineup when the next-generation Accord debuts for the 2013 model year.

Honda’s new plug-in system is totally different from the single-motor IMA drivetrain found in the Insight, CR-Z, and Civic hybrids. The main powertrain components are a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle inline-four and two electric motors—one to charge the battery pack and one to spin the wheels. The gas engine puts out 134 hp and 111 lb-ft of torque; the drive motor is good for 161 hp, and the generator is rated at 100 kW.

We first saw this system previewed at the 2010 L.A. auto show, and the specifications are largely unchanged. EV mode works up to 62 mph for 10 to 15 miles. The gasoline motor can spin the drive wheels directly, bypassing the electric motor and returning highway fuel economy closer to that of conventional cars, which typically fare better than hybrids at high speeds. How this works is the curious part. My exchange at a powertrain display stand with a Honda engineer who was barely conversant in English:

“So how does the transmission work?”
“No, no transmission.”
“Yeah, okay, so the motors make a CVT like in the Prius? How does that work here?”
“No, the motor is direct drive.”

We went back and forth in this manner for about five minutes. When I then asked how the gasoline engine works at highway speeds, he told me that there’s a single ratio with no transmission. Take this with a grain of salt, as Honda’s specification sheet says the car uses an “electric CVT.” Later follow-up didn’t provide a more clear answer, so a better explanation down the road could prove the above to be inaccurate.

Going back to the engineer’s explanation, multiple clutches allow the system to work in full-EV mode, full-gas mode, or a mix of the two. When driving the wheels, the engine is always using a tall highway ratio, and the electric motor uses a single-speed gear reduction as well. At slow vehicle speeds, the electric motor can work on its own or feed in to provide assist. Conversely, in cases where the battery’s charge is depleted, the gas engine can produce juice using the generator, which then sends power to the drive motor; in effect, this means that the engine would indirectly drive the wheels.

Our test drive of the Accord was limited to a few miles at low speeds, but the system looks very promising. You can get a decent amount of power without activating the combustion engine (we were unable to determine, and Honda isn’t willing to share, the parameters that allow for EV operation). When the engine does kick in, though, its speed isn’t relative to vehicle speed, and it drones a bit—but Honda has plenty of time to rectify that before we see such a system in production. There is a slight delay between pressing the pedal and the gas engine kicking in, a feeling that reminds us of the Chevrolet Volt.

The Honda’s all-electric range is much shorter than the Volt’s. On the upside, its 6-kWh battery is lighter than that car’s. And the charging time, at around two hours on a 120-volt source, is a lot more attractive than the 10 a Volt needs from the same outlet. Honda didn’t provide any fuel-economy targets or estimates for the system.

Toyota, Ford, and Hyundai all have hybrids in the mid-size-sedan segment, and Nissan will soon return with a new Altima hybrid. Ford’s current Fusion in particular is very nicely executed and decent to drive; the 2013 Fusion will become the first to offer a plug-in option with the Energi model. So far, though, no one has figured out a similar solution for improving highway fuel economy in a hybrid. For a company that sold the first hybrid in the U.S. market and has since been eclipsed by its competitors, it’s nice to see some innovative thinking from Honda.

Source;
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/honda-accord-plug-in-hybrid-prototype-drive-review

Honda delivers first electric Fit

Torrance, California – Honda has delivered a 2013 Fit EV electric vehicle to the city of Torrance. The delivery is one of the first major steps in the Honda Electric Vehicle Demonstration Program and a prelude to the retail market launch of the Fit EV to customers in California and Oregon this summer.

The Fit was delivered in a ceremony to Torrance mayor Frank Scotto by Steve Center, vice-president of the environmental business development office at American Honda.

“This is an exciting day as we take another important step toward Honda’s comprehensive vision for reducing CO2 emissions, while at the same time advancing our relationship with the city of Torrance,” Center said. “Honda has a long history with electric vehicles starting with the introduction of our first battery electric car, the EV Plus, nearly 15 years ago.”

Honda and the city have worked together over the past year to gather input from residents about potential recharging station locations and have jointly participated in several public awareness events. The two will continue these initiatives and also study local government fleet usage of an electrified vehicle. The city will also receive a Honda plug-in hybrid for additional testing at a later date.

Honda unveiled the 2013 Fit EV at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show and plans to lease vehicles to its U.S. customers in the summer of 2012. Honda will also test the Fit EV with Google Inc. and Stanford University as part of its demonstration program.

Source;
http://www.autos.ca/general-news/honda-delivers-first-electric-fit

Honda Sells 800,000 Hybrids

As of the last few days of 2011, Honda has sold 800,000 units of hybrid vehicles across the world. This took them 12 years and 2 months, from the moment the first Insight was delivered in Japan back in November 1999.

In recent times, Honda has released the second generation Insight to challenge but not defeat the Prius back in 2009, and the complete hybrid range now includes six vehicles in total.

In 2011, the Japanese automaker sold 200,000 units, an increase of 30 percent over the previous year. And it’s the domestic market of Japan where Honda’s hybrids are in the highest demand, as 45% of all Hondas sold there we gas-electric in December.

We’d also care to mention that Honda is committed to development of fuel-cell vehicles as well, being among the leaders in the field.

Source;
http://www.autoevolution.com/news/honda-sells-800000-hybrids-41971.html

Plan to add pumps may boost natural gas autos

This is great news for people that own Natural Gas Civic's!
By Alan Sayre
New Orleans —The United States has record supplies of natural gas and plenty of reasons to promote natural-gas powered cars. But so far, consumers, manufacturers and fuel suppliers haven't shown much interest.

Now, a major natural gas developer's plans to vastly increase the number of truck stops that offer liquid natural gas could help boost its use in the vehicles that burn the most fuel, while promoting its availability to a wider market.

Lots of natural gas is available, if U.S. drivers decide to use it. In just a few years, domestic natural gas supplies have increased by trillions of cubic feet through shale finds, boosting the supply to the point where plans are in place to export part of the overflow.

The growth of natural gas vehicles in the United States so far has been dominated by fleets of buses, taxis and garbage haulers. Only one natural gas car is commercially produced in the country: the Honda Civic GX, recently renamed the NG. It has sold a grand total of about 13,000 in 13 years of production.

The reasons for the lackluster sales of natural gas cars are many: The fuel is only available at a handful of public stations, tethering the vehicles within a certain distance of a fuel source. And even though the pump price of natural gas can run $1 to $2 less per gallon equivalent than gasoline, natural gas vehicles carry a higher sticker price.

The focus for the natural gas vehicle industry in the United States has been the fuel-guzzlers: commercial vehicles, especially tractor-trailer rigs.

Rich Kolodziej, president of the trade association NGV America, says that makes sense in terms of overall fuel usage. He said a driver who puts 12,000 miles a year on a car at 25 miles to the gallon will use about 500 gallons of gasoline annually. But a diesel-driven 18-wheeler can easily go 120,000 miles a year. At six miles per gallon, that comes to 20,000 gallons.

"If you're trying to reduce foreign imports of oil, you're trying to reduce greenhouse gases and emissions in urban areas, where do you put your effort? You put it on the big vehicles," Kolodziej said.

For reasons of tank space, liquid natural gas is used by commercial trucks, while compressed natural gas is the fuel of choice for cars.

According to the international trade association NGV Global, there are 12.7 million natural gas vehicles in the world, including 6.8 million in the Asia-Pacific rim, 4.2 million in Latin America, 1.4 million in Europe, and 122,000 in Africa.

The U.S. has just 112,000 of them — less than 1 percent of the global total, and less than a tenth of 1 percent of the 253.7 million vehicles in the U.S.

Most of them are in fleets.

"The big reason that they work well for fleets and not the average person on the street is that most fleet vehicles are used for relatively short trips," said John O'Dell, senior editor of Edmunds.com, which follows the vehicle industry. "They go back to the barn in the evening where they have a refueling station that can handle them.

"There is not a really good fueling system in this country," O'Dell added. "You have to have the infrastructure out there to convince people to buy natural gas cars."

Kolodziej said that there are about 180,000 gasoline stations — and only about 1,000 locations to fill up with natural gas.

But that may be changing.

The T. Boone Pickens-backed Clean Energy Fuels Corp. is embarking on a major expansion of natural gas fueling and plans to add liquefied natural gas pumps at 150 truck stops nationwide over the next 24 to 36 months.

"We've mapped out a strategy to cover every major interstate in the domestic United States," said Clean Energy Fuels chief marketing officer James Harger.

Harger and other natural gas proponents are putting stock in pending congressional legislation that would provide tax credits to cover 80 percent of the cost difference between a liquid natural gas tractor-trailer and a diesel. Harger said the five-year bill probably would cost about $1 billion a year. The U.S. spends over $1 billion a day on foreign oil.

"This will help jump-start this industry," he said.

Source;
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20111229/AUTO01/112290345/Plan-add-pumps-may-boost-natural-gas-autos

Honda President Sees Limited Role for Electric Cars

Very interesting read....
By Brad Berman
onda’s display at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Show is full of electric car concepts. Earlier this week, international journalists were given the opportunity to drive its impressive Fit EV pure battery electric car. So, when given the opportunity to ask a single question at yesterday’s press conference with Honda President Takanobu Ito at the Tokyo show, I tried to determine if the company’s man at the top has a vision for electric cars.

I’ll let Mr. Ito speak for himself in this unedited transcript of my question and his answer.
In your earlier comments, you identified the need for Honda to be ahead of your competitors on technology, especially hybrid and electric. Nissan is projecting to have 1.5 million cumulative sales of electric cars by 2015. What do you think of this forecast, and Honda’s ability to compete with pure electric vehicles?

First of all, just because Nissan is saying it’s going to sell some 1.5 million pure EVs, Honda is not going to say that [we are] as well. Instead, our way of thinking is, for us to contribute to sustainable society, we have to think about total sales of Honda vehicles, and thereby through our products, contribute to society.

With this in mind, compared to the year 2000, we need to reduce our CO2 emissions by 2020 by 30 percent. Pure battery EVs, of course, would be one means of trying to reduce CO2. I think there is no mistake about that.

I think the way people use cars is not the same across the board in all countries, so I cannot generalize. If you think about the concept EVs introduced by Honda at this Tokyo Motor Show, you see that electric cars are important. I will not deny that. But when you consider the performance of batteries, the charging times, plus the cost of batteries, I think pure EVs would be best for compact, very small cars.

I feel confident in saying that they could be a fit for very small vehicles. That is why last year we launched the motorcycle EV. We think we should expand on this and for mini-vehicles, an even smaller size category—the commuter car we introduced at the Tokyo Motor Show, which would be well suited for a pure EV.

Will this be acceptable in the United States? This is a question. Therefore, we are thinking of the Fit EV for the United States. But for Japan, Europe, and other parts of Asia—especially the urban areas, we think the smaller category would be an option that could be considered, if it could be easily charged and has good maneuverability. In this category, pure EVs would be appropriate.

So, we’ll start with the very small cars for the pure battery EVs. But when you think about other segments—compact cars and large vehicles—in order to contribute to sustainable society, fuel economy and reduction of CO2, I believe hybrids would be the best.

When I say hybrids, there are different types of hybrids. Honda has to think about what would be best for each of the categories. For example, we have strength in the one-motor system—a very simple IMA (Integrated Motor Assist). This is one thing that we feel is fit for this purpose. We think we can increase the number of sales, and we are preparing the next version of the IMA, trying to improve the performance.

For vehicles in the United States, say the Accord class, we have to secure sufficient motor performance. We have to further work on this to generate enough power during the driving. For this, we have to have a separate dedicated system for the Accord class and above.

If you’re talking about high-end expensive vehicles, fuel economy is not enough. It also has to be fun to drive. For that we have the SH-AWD [Honda’s new hybrid system primarily dedicated to enhancing driving dynamics]. For each class of car, there are different types of hybrids. We believe we already have the technology in our hands, and for the next 10 to 20 years, I think in order to reduce CO2, we would have to use these different technologies, of which pure battery cars are one. But proportion-wise, I think hybrids will be the largest.

What Gets His Motor Going
In the final question of the session, an American journalist followed up on the idea of Honda adding “more fun” to its vehicles—a notion that was frequently discussed in presentations to journalists in the past few days in Tokyo. The journalist mentioned Honda’s electric sports car concept on display.

“I would love to have an electric sports car, but I live in an apartment complex, so I’d have to run an extension cord across my parking lot in order to recharge it,” he said. “[Honda] used to have affordable sports coupes that were iconic around the world, the CRX, the Integra, Prelude, those cars that every man could afford that actually ran on gas. Is a car like that on the table, or does every future sports car need to have some sort of advanced powertrain. It seems like a gas powertrain might be more affordable to the masses.”

Mr. Ito broke into a smile and, for the first time in the one-hour conference, delivered his response in English—a single line: “I completely agree with you.”

Source;
http://www.plugincars.com/honda-president-sees-limited-role-electric-cars-110639.html

Honda Reinvents Regenerative Braking for Fit EV

By Brad Berman
As we discussed in October, the secret sauce of a good electric car is not how it accelerates, but how it brakes. Yesterday, I had two short rides in the Honda Fit EV at the company’s Twin Ring Motegi complex north of Tokyo—prior to my visit to the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show today. My driving impressions from behind the wheel are embargoed until Dec. 5—but I’m free to report on my discussion with Kunimichi Hatano, the engineer who created Honda’s new regenerative braking system.

Honda’s strategy rests somewhere between what Ford will do with the Focus Electric—make it feel like any conventional car without special modes or gears—and BMW’s strategy. Electric Bimmers will brake in an aggressive and distinct way, according to Aaron Singer, BMW product strategy manager. The Fit EV's braking is perhaps most similar to the one found in the Nissan LEAF, with a couple of key exceptions. Honda’s Mr. Hatano explained that the goal is to make the brake feel comfortable and familiar—yet the Fit EV will have a “B” gear, providing the driver the choice to engage an aggressive motor-only regen setting, as well as an “Econ” mode that removes regenerative braking in a coasting-type function. The current LEAF lacks such driver-managed controls.

Again, I can’t speak yet about the relative level of performance achieved when toggling between Normal, Sport and Econ modes. But what’s important here is the role that Honda’s new electro-servo brake system—the first of its kind—in yielding about 75 miles of real-world range, and123 miles of range (in the forgiving LA4 cycle). The Fit combines a 94 kW motor and 20 kWh battery pack. (Honda is not yet sharing details about the weight of the Fit EV, but it's bound to be lighter than the LEAF.)

So far, the Fit EV is the only Honda car that has been (ahem) fitted with the new system, but it is also slated to go into Honda’s upcoming Accord-sized plug-in hybrid—which I also was able to drive yesterday.

Here’s an excerpt from my conversation with Mr. Hatano.

Many EV drivers like very aggressive regenerative braking. Why not give a unique aggressive feel to regen braking in your electric vehicles?
Honda does not intend to reduce the amount of regenerative braking to achieve satisfactory brake feeling. Obviously, we want to recuperate as much energy as possible. But if you try to recuperate too much energy, you might destabilize the vehicle. The question is how much energy can we recuperate without going over the threshold of losing stability. You have to bear in mind that vehicles are driven under bad weather, in snow, and rain, and when the road surface might not be good. You have to make sure the regenerative braking doesn’t go beyond what is reasonable.

But it can feel different and still be safe, right?
Sure, some prefer a different feeling. Whatever kind of brake feel you want—whether it’s like normal gasoline-powered cars or different—that’s one subject. And the limit of regenerative braking is another subject. The limit is more about preserving stability. Because this is an electric braking system, you can fine-tune the taste in many different ways.

How is the electro-servo braking system different than its predecessors?
In our system, you have two different main parts. In the first part, you create the brake feel. This is quite common with other carmakers. The way our brakes feel might be different, but the system is not very different. However, what is different is the part that actuates the brakes. Traditional hydraulic brakes use a vacuum to activate the brake system, and then pump oil to press the pads against the rotor. A hybrid system may use solenoids. Our new system is different because the medium to apply the brakes is using an electric motor to directly drive the pump that serves the brake fluid.

What’s the advantage?
This system has very high accuracy. This means more efficiency. It’s more faithful to the brake input from the driver. [Honda estimates that the servo-based system increasing efficiency by at least 5 percent.]

When you take your foot off the accelerator, you immediately have a little bit of regenerative braking. Then, you put your foot on the brake—and if you look at the curve on the hydraulic system, it goes up very sharply. But if you look at the yellow zone in the graph, [in the old system] the regeneration doesn’t go up as sharply and it’s delayed. The idea of the new system is to bring the regenerative yellow zone closer to the hydraulic response.

The first part of the slope is very similar to the hydraulic. Then, as you start reaching the regeneration limit, the slope gradually slows down a little and reaches the limit after what the hydraulic system can do. After that, you can keep regeneration system at the highest level longer than the current system. And just before you stop, the drop is even sharper than the old regeneration system.

All of this is possible because of the servo system? Could you have done this just with calibration?
No, you need the accuracy to achieve it.

Does the increased regenerative braking mean slowing down faster?
The braking distance itself is not shortened by this alone. The braking distance is determined by the weight of the vehicle, the speed, and the amount of energy you take out either by regenerative braking or traditional braking, and the tire grip. This system doesn’t mean that you’ll shorten the braking distance. That depends on the caliper or other brake operations.
How does the “B” gear mode affect regenerative braking?

B is for higher regeneration only when the throttle is off. If you are in B mode, it's only regenerating energy through negative torque at the motor level. [There’s no use of the brakes.]

And what’s the effect of Econ mode?
In the econ mode, on the contrary, it reduces the engine brake effect so the car can coast. The idea is to reduce the up and down demands on the engine—by having less engine braking, which means you don’t lose as much as speed.

The B mode is made to suit certain driving situations, like when you’re going down a slope and you see a red light at the end. You put it in B to recuperate energy, so you slow down, which is fine. And if you see the light changes to green, you just put it back into D. It’s a question of responding to all possible driving situations.

Postscript
I can guess that many PluginCars.com readers will like the sound of Honda’s approach—but the nagging question remains: Why is the company only producing 1,100 Fit EVs over the next three years, and not allowing customers who might fall in love with the car the ability to keep it beyond the lease period? Company officials here repeated the same “one step at a time” message—that they want to learn as much as possible from the first customers in order to refine the car into the best possible EV.

I spoke with multiple high-ranking executives to encourage them to reconsider—especially if it looks like the Fit EV is a winner. It’s too early to know, but I have a glimmer of hope that Honda could reconsider its lease-only approach and/or increase production. If indeed the Fit EV represents an improvement in electric car braking, along with controls for higher regen and coasting, it will only be a matter of time before competitors offer similar features in their battery-powered cars. Honda's apparent technology and feature advantage could evaporate in three years, just as the company is collecting and processing feedback from the 1,100 Fit EV leaseholders who have the distinction of driving the car. That would be a shame.

Source;
http://www.plugincars.com/honda-reinvents-regenerative-braking-fit-ev-110596.htmlource;
http://www.plugincars.com/honda-reinvents-regenerative-braking-fit-ev-110596.html

2013 Honda FIT EV Concept

Honda today unveiled the all-new 2013 Fit EV at the Los Angeles Auto Show, announcing plans to begin leasing the 123 city-mile per charge (76 mile range combined adjusted city/highway)¹ battery electric commuter vehicle to its U.S. customers in the summer of 2012. The Fit EV is based on the popular Fit hatchback and is a part of the company's diverse portfolio of alternative fuel vehicles that includes gasoline-electric hybrid, plug-in hybrid, fuel cell-electric and natural gas-powered models.

American Honda will begin leasing the Fit EV to customers in select California and Oregon markets next summer, and will expand to six East Coast markets in early 2013. The Fit EV's Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price² (MSRP) is $36,625 with an estimated lease priced at $399 a month. Honda will monitor market acceptance, but expects volume at this early stage of production to be approximately 1,100 Fit EV's over the next three years.

"The Fit EV is the next critical step in Honda's portfolio approach to alternative fueled vehicles," said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "There is no other automaker on the planet whose spirit is more deeply invested in the effort to realize a cleaner, more energy-efficient and ultimately more sustainable transportation future than Honda."

Customers interested in leasing a Fit EV are encouraged to sign up at www.FitEV.Honda.com where they can receive more information and sign up for the opportunity to become a future Fit EV customer.

Fit EV Performance
The Fit EV is designed to meet the needs of an average urban commuter, offering an estimated driving range of 123-miles on a single charge using the US EPA city cycle test methods (Honda anticipates a combined city/highway EV range of 76 miles on the new Fuel Economy labels) 1. The Fit EV will be powered by a 20 kWh lithium-ion battery and a 92 kilowatt coaxial electric motor. The high density electric motor, derived from the motor used in the FCX Clarity fuel cell electric vehicle, delivers excellent efficiency and power while remaining quiet at high speeds.

Driving range of the Fit EV can be maximized by using several innovative features, including a 3- mode electric drive system, adapted from the CR-Z Sport Hybrid. The system allows the driver to select between Econ, Normal and Sport to instantly and seamlessly change the driving experience to maximize efficiency or improve acceleration. While in Econ mode, practical driving range can increase by as much as 17-percent compared to driving in Normal mode. Acceleration improves significantly when in Sport mode, adding to the Fit EV's fun to drive nature.

In addition to the 3-mode driving system, the Fit EV includes interactive coaching features designed to assist the driver in maximizing battery performance and driving range. The power meter alerts the driver to optimal driving conditions. Additional energy- saving features includes a highly efficient electric air conditioning system and new regenerative braking system.

The 6.6 kW, onboard 32 amp charger allows for convenient recharging of the Fit EV. With a 240-volt charger, the Fit EV can fully recharge in as little as three hours. At launch timing, Honda will have a preferred Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) charging supplier.

Fit EV Exterior and Interior Styling
The exterior dimensions of the Fit EV are identical to the gasoline-powered Fit with the addition of a higher hip point to accommodate the under floor placement of the 20 kWh battery. When the car launches in summer 2012, it will be available in one exclusive color, Reflection Blue Pearl. EV badges on the rear hatch and decals on the side of the vehicle distinguish the electric vehicle from its gasoline counterpart.

The Fit EV carries a familiar chrome front fascia that is similar to other Honda environmentally-responsible vehicles like the FCX Clarity fuel cell electric vehicle and Insight hybrid. The Fit EV is outfitted with distinct five-spoke alloy wheels and an aerodynamic rear spoiler.

In the passenger cabin, the seating surfaces are covered with bio-fabric. The Fit EV features illuminated meters that alert the driver to key vehicle functions including state of charge, battery usage and driving range. The meters change color depending on the driving mode selected (green, white or red).

The Fit EV features a spacious and functional cabin with comfortable seating for up to five passengers. For enhanced versatility, the Fit EV offers multiple seating and cargo-carrying configurations.

Fit EV Telematics and Interactive Remote
To help the driver manage the electric vehicle ownership experience, the Fit EV will have a standard telematics system that allows the driver to stay connected through a smartphone, personal computer or interactive remote. Through the Fit EV smartphone and computer applications, the driver can remotely view the vehicles state of charge, initiate charging and activate the air conditioning and heater, to pre-condition the vehicle while connected to the grid which maximizes battery range on start-up. The mobile application and website also offers the ability to set charging notifications and alerts to optimize charging times based on varying utility rates and provides access to 24-hour roadside assistance. The Fit EV will come equipped with a standard Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ that provides the ability to locate public charging stations and frequently updated traffic information.

The interactive remote allows the driver to monitor the vehicles state of charge and cabin temperature. Additionally, the driver can initiate and terminate charging and remotely turn on the air conditioning using the interactive remote. The interactive remote does not require an internet or mobile connection to operate however the driver must be within 100 feet (30 meters) of the vehicle.

Honda Electric Vehicle Demonstration Program
Honda will test the Fit EV with the City of Torrance, California Google Inc. and Stanford University as a part of the Honda Electric Vehicle Demonstration Program. Each program participant will provide Honda with real-world feedback on the Fit EV. Individually, each participant will use the Fit EV to further initiatives such as research into human behavior and various usage like personal, fleet and car-sharing.

Honda Environmental Leadership
In addition to the Fit EV, Honda is a leader in the development of leading-edge technologies to improve fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions.

Honda has led the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) rankings of overall vehicle environmental performance since 2000, and a Honda vehicle has topped the list of America's greenest vehicles, from the America Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), for eleven consecutive years.

In 2006, Honda became the first automaker to announce voluntary CO2 emissions reduction targets for its global fleet of automobile, powersports and power equipment products and its global network of manufacturing plants. Today, the company is striving for even greater reductions in CO2 emissions that contribute to global climate change, while also working to minimize waste, water use and the total environmental footprint of its operations worldwide.

For more information and high resolution images of the Fit EV, please visit www.hondanews.com.

Toyota to show three new concepts in Tokyo, will offer fuel-cell sedan in 2015

Toyota’s display at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show will feature several concept cars to highlight its brand, aiming “to make fresh proposals concerning the dream and joy of motor vehicles under the concept ‘Fun to Drive, Again.’”

The first concept is the new Toyota Fun-Vii – study that “heralds a future where people, cars and society are linked.” Not many details are provided on the Fun-Vii but the concept studies how people, cars, and society will connect to each other.

The second concept is the FCV-R, a sedan fuel-cell sedan fueled by hydrogen. “With the fuel-cell unit located beneath the specially designed body, the vehicle can accommodate up to four passengers and boasts impressive luggage space,” Toyota said in a statement. “The fuel cell stack, consisting of a 70 MPa high-pressure hydrogen tank, has been improved to provide a cruising distance of approximately 700 km or more (under the JC08 test cycle; according to TMC).”

Toyota plans on producing the FCV-R in 2015.

Last but not lease will be the FT-EV III electric concept. The fully-electric concept is equipped with lithium-ion batteries and has an estimated range of 65 miles. Toyota plans on producing the model as early as next year.

- By: Omar Rana

Source;
http://www.egmcartech.com/2011/11/15/toyota-fcv-r-fun-vii-ft-ev-iii-concept-debut-tokyo/#more-105607

Honda Small Sports EV Concept

Here's another pic of the Honda Sports EV Concept.

Source;
http://visions-autos.sport24.com/668215/Honda-Small-Sports-EV-Concept-2011-et-Coupe-Honda-Design/

Honda CR-Z to Get Type R Version

What if halo cars for hybrid ranges were racing versions with that don’t simply focus on fuel consumption above all else. Well, before Honda dreamed of it as a hybrid, they primarily wanted it to perform the function of a fun and exciting coupe that also offered decent milage, so it should not surprise you that much that they want to spice things up even more.

According to Temple of Vtec, the Japanese manufacturer is readying a performance version of the CR-Z, and it’s already being developed. At last year’s SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Honda even brought over the CR-Z Hybrid R concept, which produced 200 hp thanks to a turbocharger that had been slapped onto the 1.5-liter.

However, a supercharged version like the one that debuted this year at SEMA is the more likely powertrain.

Source;
http://www.autoevolution.com/news/honda-cr-z-to-get-type-r-version-40333.html

2011 Honda Micro Commuter Concept Ready for Tokyo

The formula for the EV market is starting to become clearer by the day. You’ve got the larger sedans and hatchbacks that some manufacturers produces with range extenders, the odd sportscar here and there, some relatively small hatches that are the mainstay of the offering and the really small cars like Audi’s Urban concept and Renault’s Twizy.

Honda has announced it will be bringing three electric vehicles to the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, which will debut November 30th, and the Micro Commuter is obviously their vision of urban travel in the future.

Speaking of the future, the the design has to be one of the most futuristic we’ve seen in a while. There is only one seat that wraps the driver in a world of white and teal tones. Instead of the traditional wheel, you’ve got something that looks like it came out of an airplane.

Looking at the outside, Honda’s designers must have really wanted to design a car that works in sci-fi anime, because it has some very strange fairing for the wheels.

Source;
http://www.autoevolution.com/news/2011-honda-micro-commuter-concept-ready-for-tokyo-40268.html

Honda AC-X Plug-in Hybrid Concept can travel 620 miles

Along with the Honda Small Sports EV Concept, the Japanese automaker will show this four-door AC-X Concept. The Honda AC-X, which stands for Advanced Cruiser-X is described as “a next-generation plug-in hybrid vehicle which offers a more comfortable and enjoyable time in the vehicle during all driving situations, from urban to long-distance driving. With the choices of an ‘engine drive mode’ for more aggressive driving or an ‘automatic drive mode’ for more relaxed driving, the vehicle broadens the joy of mobility.”

The Honda AC-X is a plug-in hybrid sedan powered by a 1.6 liter gasoline engine and a 120kw electric-motor. Together the system puts out a nice 127-hp.

Honda says that the AC-X Concept has a total driving range of 620 miles with fuel-economy coming in at an amazing 260 mpg (we’re not sure which cycle Honda is basing its estimates on).
- By: Omar Rana

Source;
http://www.egmcartech.com/2011/11/09/honda-ac-x-plug-in-hybrid-concept-tokyo-preview/

Honda Small Sports EV Concept teased ahead of Tokyo debut

At the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show this year, Honda’s booth will carry a theme of “What makes people feel good?”

“Honda will propose an exciting and thrilling mobility life of the future that it envisions as a company providing personal mobility to people all around the world,” the company said in a statement. “The display will include a lineup of the next-generation electromotive concept models including two-, three- and four-wheeled commuter vehicles designed for easy and fun mobility in future cities, mid-to-long distance commuters designed to enrich life and enhance the freedom and fun of mobility, and sporty models that pursue the joy of driving/riding.”

One of the most exciting vehicles on display will be the Small Sports EV Concept (tentative name). Honda said the study shows a “next-generation EV sports model which maximizes the fun of driving while achieving excellent environmental performance.”

It seems the Japanese automaker is hinting that the Small Sports EV Concept could be a new take on the Beat, a midengine 660cc sports car that was sold in Japan in the early ’90s.

More details will be announced at the show on Nov. 30.
- By: Omar Rana

Source;
http://www.egmcartech.com/2011/11/09/honda-small-sports-ev-concept-teased-ahead-of-tokyo-debut/

Honda Jazz Hybrid HX: Road test

As I grew up, Honda was best known for the NSX, hot hatches such as the Civic Type R and its involvement in Formula one. However, times have changed along with concern for the climate and the Jazz is Honda's fourth hybrid.

Mechanically similar to its bigger brother, the Insight, is there any reason to go for the Jazz apart from it being cheaper? I spent a week with the £17,995 Jazz Hybrid HX to find out.

The current car dates back to 2008, but the introduction of this Hybrid model is part of a mild range re-fresh. At the front, there are new lights, a hybrid-specific grille and a more aerodynamic front bumper.

At the side, there are new alloy wheels with special aerodynamic brake calipers, with just a new set of distinctive clear rear light clusters and Hybrid badging at the back, completing the light face-lift.

The Jazz Hybrid is fitted with the same 87bhp 1.3-litre petrol engine that's fitted in the bigger Insight and has a clever stop-start sytem. With emissions of 104g/km and 62.8mpg fuel consumption figures, this Honda should prove to be very cost-effective to run, although it's not Congestion charge exempt and still costs £10 to tax.

The Jazz Hybrid's steering is over-light and lacks feel. Still, its small dimensions and good all-round visibility mean parking is a doddle.

With its low-rolling resistance tyres lacking grip and soft suspension, there's some body roll in corners. It's not that much fun to drive either, because it's only available with CVT transmission, which results in boomy acceleration even on light throttle. The Jazz's ride is composed for a supermini, but the green tyres mean more road noise.

Inside, our HX test car felt quite luxurious with the standard leather trim; build quality is first rate even if it's not quite up to German rivals.

The 1.3-litre four-cylinder engine seems much better suited to the smaller Jazz than the bigger Insight, feeling less raw and raucous. Revving it hard is the way to make the most of what performance is available, but it's not advised as the din the engine kicks up will hurt your ears and the Jazz's green intentions.

The Jazz Hybrid is not a fast car, but then again that's not the point; 62mph comes up in a less than impressive 12.3 seconds and the top speed is just 109mph.One of the Jazz's key selling points is its tardis-like, versatile cabin. Thankfully, despite the addition of the hybrid engine and its batteries, it's as spacious and practical as the standard car. There's plenty of room for a couple of adults in the back and there's the same 883 litres of boot space.

The RX test car had most of the equipment you'd ever need including big car features such as electric windows, steering wheel audio controls, automatic climate control, leather trim, heated front seat and a CD stereo with auxiliary socket.

The standard-fit, single-disc CD player sounds good and if that's not enough, there's a port to play your MP3 player through. A navigation system is available on the range-topping HX-T.

If you're keen to go green and must have a hybrid powered car, then the Jazz is the cheapest on sale. If more space isn't an issue, it makes its bigger and more expensive brother, the Insight, pointless as the Jazz is quicker and slightly better to drive. If I had the choice, I'd still rather have the standard petrol version though.

Source;
http://uk.autoblog.com/2011/10/31/honda-jazz-hybrid-hx-road-test/

Honda Targets Sales in Japan With Hybrid Freed, New Minivan

Oct. 27 (Bloomberg) -- Honda Motor Co., Japan’s third- largest carmaker, will start selling a hybrid version of its Freed minivan tomorrow as it seeks to boost sales among domestic consumers looking for more fuel-efficient cars.

The hybrid Freed will start from 2.18 million yen ($28,700), according to a statement by the Tokyo-based company today. The new gas-electric version has a fuel-economy rating of 24 kilometers per liter, compared with 17 kilometers per liter for the conventional gasoline model, according to Honda.

“With the new Freed, we hope to attract the increasing number of ‘downsizers’ in the Japanese market,” Sho Minekawa, a managing officer at Honda, said today at a press conference in Tokyo. “We expect to get half of our sales from hybrid models by the end of March next year.”

The company aims to sell 10,000 units of the Freed hybrid minivan a month, Minekawa said. Honda will begin selling a revamped Insight hybrid starting Nov. 11 from 1.9 million yen and a new minicar from mid-December called the “N Box.”

Honda shares rose 2.75 percent to 2,393 yen at the close of trading in Tokyo. The stock has slid 26 percent this year, compared with a 15 percent drop for the broader Topix index.

--Editors: Chua Kong Ho, Frank Longid

Source;
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-10-27/honda-targets-sales-in-japan-with-hybrid-freed-new-minivan.html

Upgraded 2012 Honda Insight Hybrid Offers New High-Tech Look, Improved Fuel Economy and More Features

10/17/2011 - TORRANCE, Calif.
A significantly updated 2012 Insight hybrid debuts today with new exterior styling, an enhanced interior, additional features on select models and an EPA fuel economy-rating1 improvement of 1 mpg. The Insight’s city/highway/combined EPA fuel economy rating1 of 41/44/42 mpg, up from 40/43/41 on the prior model, continues to offer the highest EPA fuel economy rating of any new vehicle currently available with a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starting under $20,000.

The aerodynamically styled, five-passenger, five-door dedicated hybrid vehicle receives extensive changes inside and out for 2012. Exterior changes include a more distinctive grille design that introduces a thin, blue accent bar representative of the Insight’s high-tech hybrid identity. Restyled front and rear bumpers, along with changes under the vehicle, contribute to a 2-percent increase in aerodynamic performance. New designs for the headlight and brake light internal reflectors further complete the refreshed look. Insight and Insight LX models have new 15-inch wheel covers and the Insight EX has newly styled 15-inch alloy wheels. Slightly wider 185/60R15 tires, up from 175/65R15 tires on the prior model, contribute to confident driving performance.

The Insight’s interior refinements for 2012 include a reconfigured rear seat area for better leg and head room; a redesigned gauge cluster background with a more technically sophisticated appearance; reshaped center-console beverage holders that accommodate larger drinks; and a more supportive front armrest (Insight LX and EX).

The Insight LX has new, more premium seat fabric, while the Insight EX is upholstered with a combination of synthetic leather (new) and premium fabric. Rear-seat headroom improves by 0.6 inches with changes to the rear headliner shape and deeper sculpting of the rear seat cushion to improve rear passenger comfort. Rearward visibility improves with a more compactly mounted rear-wiper motor housing and a thinner rear spoiler that creates a larger viewing area out the lower back window. The Insight becomes quieter for 2012 with increased thickness to the vehicle’s existing noise-insulation materials and additional insulation panels in the cargo area.
Available on Insight EX models, the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ with voice recognition2 receives several notable upgrades including the addition of a rearview camera. The system provides routing and guidance to individual addresses and more than 7-million points of interest within the continental United States. A 16-GB flash memory system replaces the 4.7-GB DVD-based system used on the prior model. The new system offers faster route calculation and includes FM traffic, a subscription-free service that alerts drivers to traffic conditions.

The Insight is powered by an Integrated Motor Assist™ (IMA™) system comprised of a 1.3-liter i‑VTEC® gasoline 4-cylinder engine and a 10-kilowatt electric motor. The combination develops 98 horsepower at 5800 rpm and 123 lb-ft. of torque at 1000-1700 rpm. For 2012, friction-reducing measures in the engine and the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) contribute to the new model’s increased fuel economy. A 10.6-gallon fuel tank provides an estimated maximum driving range exceeding 400 miles.

The Insight features the Eco Assist™ System, an innovation that can enhance efficient vehicle operation while providing feedback related to individual driving styles. Eco Assist can help drivers improve fuel efficiency, both by altering vehicle functionality and providing driver feedback, with fuel economy dependent on their given set of driving conditions. Pressing the ECON button can further enhance the efficiency of multiple vehicle systems: throttle control, CVT operation, idle-stop duration, air conditioning and cruise-control operation (if equipped). Eco Assist also provides feedback about driving style via a 3D-like background within the speedometer. The background changes colors from green to blue to reflect how efficiently or inefficiently the driver is accelerating or braking (green is more efficient).

Aerodynamic refinements for 2012 include changes to the shape of the engine bay underbody cover and the addition of air diffusers under the rear bumper to smooth airflow exiting behind the vehicle. The strakes ahead of the front wheels have been extended by 0.4 inches to better direct air around the wider front tires.

Standard safety features on all Insight models include dual-stage, multiple-threshold front airbags; front-side airbags with a passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS); side-curtain airbag system; anti-lock brakes with electronic brake distribution (EBD); driver’s and front-passenger’s active head restraints; and a front body structure designed to mitigate pedestrian injuries. The Insight also features Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure, which provides improved occupant protection and crash compatibility between vehicles of different sizes and ride heights in frontal crashes.

The 2012 Insight is offered in three distinct models. The value-oriented base model, simply designated as "Insight," is well equipped with a 160-watt, two-speaker audio system, automatic climate control, power windows, remote entry and more.

The Insight LX adds a four-speaker audio system, USB audio interface, armrest console, floor mats and a security system. New for 2012, the LX has map lights and steering wheel audio controls.

The Insight EX adds alloy wheels, steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, an audio system with six speakers, heated side mirrors with integrated turn signals and much more. For 2012, the EX gains Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®3, automatic headlights and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. The Insight EX is available with the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System with voice recognition and rearview camera.

New exterior colors include Frosted Silver Metallic and Truffle Pearl, which replace Clear Sky Blue and Crimson Pearl.

Insight accolades include J.D. Power and Associates "Highest Ranked Compact Car in Initial Quality in a Tie" in their 2011 Initial Quality Study SM (IQS) (the Insight tied with the Civic). The IQS names the highest performers within the first 90 days of vehicle ownership. And for the past three consecutive years, the Insight was named a Top 10 Green Car by Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com4. The Insight was also named one of the "Greenest Vehicles of 2011" by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE).

Honda is a leader in developing cleaner, more fuel-efficient vehicle technologies, including the original Honda Insight, introduced as America’s first mass-produced hybrid car in December 1999. Honda is also a leader in the development of advanced alternatives to gasoline, including the zero-emission, hydrogen-powered FCX Clarity fuel-cell electric car, the world’s most-advanced production fuel cell automobile.

Honda’s diverse lineup of environmental vehicles also includes the Civic Natural Gas sedan, the only retail CNG passenger vehicle currently available from any automaker in the U.S., and three distinct gasoline-electric hybrid models: Civic Hybrid, CR-Z sport hybrid and Insight hybrid.

Honda was named America's "Greenest Automaker" for the fifth consecutive time by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) in late 2010. The award is earned by the company with the lowest combined score of its smog-forming and greenhouse gas emissions (primarily CO2) in its U.S. automobile fleet. Honda has led the UCS rankings of overall vehicle environmental performance since the first UCS study in 2000, marking a decade of Honda leadership in reduced vehicle emissions. Honda earned the recognition with an industry-best score based on model year 2008 data, the latest available for analysis.

Insight Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price*Insight: $18,350Insight LX: $20,125Insight EX: $21,815Insight EX with Navigation: $23,540* MSRP excluding tax, license, registration, $770 destination charge and options. Dealer prices may vary.

Connect with Honda:
Honda Media Newsroom (for journalists): www.hondanews.com
Honda Insight (for consumers): http://automobiles.honda.com/insight-hybrid/
Honda Insight on Facebook: www.facebook.com/hondainsight
Honda on YouTube: www.youtube.com/honda
Honda on Flickr: www.flickr.com/hondanews
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1 Based on 2012 EPA mileage estimates. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.

2 The Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ is available on Insight EX models in the United States, except Alaska. See your Honda dealer for details. Certain functions that rely on a satellite signal will not work correctly in Hawaii and Alaska. These functions include, but are not limited to, automatic clock updates and time zone adjustments.

3 The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are owned by the Bluetooth SIG, Inc., and any use of such marks by Honda Motor Co., Ltd., is under license.

4 For more information about the 2011 Top 10 Green Cars from Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com, visit www.kbb.com. Kelley Blue Book is a registered trademark of Kelley Blue Book Co., Inc.

Source;
http://www.hondanews.com/channels/corporate-headlines/releases/upgraded-2012-honda-insight-hybrid-offers-new-high-tech-look-improved-fuel-economy-and-more-features