The Honda Civic Natural Gas car had previously only been available across four US states – California, New York, Utah and Oklahoma. However, the 2012 version of the vehicle will expand to 200 dealers in 35 states.
The only dedicated natural gas powered vehicle manufactured and sold in theUSwill go on sale in dealerships on October 18 with a suggested retail price of $26,155.
It is promoted as having a number of benefits compared to a conventional Honda Civic – including the fact that natural gas costs typically around 30 per cent less than petrol. It also has extremely low smog-forming emissions and qualifies for state-issued decal – meaning that single occupant vehicles can have access to high occupancy car pool lanes in California and other states.
In fact in California it is recognised as an advanced technology partial zero emissions vehicles and has emissions durability for at least 150,000 miles or 15 years. It emits 25 per cent less CO2 emissions than petrol used to power an internal combustion engine.
Both the saloon and coupe versions of the new Honda Civic Natural Gas vehicle will boast a 1.8litre, four-cylinder engine and a five-speed automatic transmission. It is rated with a city/highway/combined fuel economy of 27/28/31mpg – this means city fuel economy is up 12.5 per cent and highway fuel economy is improved by 5.5 per cent compared to the previous model.
In addition, it will feature the Honda ECO Assist system which can enhance vehicle operation at the touch of a button and provide feedback to promote a more efficient driving style.
