With the increased popularity of partial-hybrids, electric vehicles, and alternative fuel vehicles, some of the perks that owners have felt in the past are starting to vanish. While the excellent fuel savings aren't going anywhere (if anything they're getting better), we are more referring to the perks that come with driving such a vehicle that are unrelated to the vehicle's function.
Maybe we should be a little more precise... Take for instance California's HOV (high occupancy vehicle) lanes, also known as carpool lanes. Previously, any yellow-stickered partial-hybrid vehicle could drive in one, regardless of if they met the passenger requirements. Now, however, California is putting a stop to this, only allowing white-stickered vehicles access. As it turns out, however, the Honda Civic Natural Gas has been awarded a white sticker.
This is something that we here at Brandfon Honda are quite pleased to hear. It is clear that California is continuing to push people to take the next step in reducing their carbon footprint. After all, it isn't just the Honda CNG that is getting this special treatment; it is all natural gas powered vehicles and pure electric vehicles too.
Make no mistake about it though: the time when all single occupancy vehicles will be banned from HOV lanes is quickly approaching. As it turns out, the CNG is only being given this special treatment for the next four years. Still, it is something that drivers of the CNG can tote over those seemingly peaceful Prii drivers as they are forced to scoot back into the normal lanes.
This rule is subject to the 2012 Honda Civic GX as well. Honda's latest natural gas powered vehicle will be hitting showroom floors in the fall, and the demand for it is really starting to pick up. In fact, sales have already tripled compared to the same period last year. Now, the demand for this model is quickly approaching its level of availability, and car-buyers are starting to have a hard time finding the limitedly produced model at dealerships like ours at 515 West Main Street Branford, CT 06405.
The 2012 Honda Civic GX comes equipped with a 1.8-liter engine, which is capable of shelling out 110-hp and 106 lb.-ft of torque. While the multi-information display and navigation systems come as nice perks for Civic GX buyers, the biggest perk of all comes in the form of savings on gasoline as well as a reduced carbon footprint. Oh yeah, and access to HOV lanes in California... for now.
"Inherently clean-burning natural gas has a proven track record as an extremely low-emission, domestically produced transportation fuel," says John Mendel, Executive Vice President, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "The new [Honda] Civic Natural Gas makes it even more convenient to tap into this desirable and abundant resource."1
If you're interested in learning more about the upcoming Honda Civic GX or any other new Honda model, feel free to contact us today at (800) 814-1184. Or, if you'd like to learn more about specific models, like the Honda Element or Odyssey, feel free to visit us in person and take one for a test drive!
Source: 1 http://www.ngvjournal.com/en/vehicles/item/4958-new-2012-honda-civic-natural-gas-was-launched-in-new-york-city
