Honda Hybrid Plant Begins Fuel Cell Civic GX Production

Honda Hybrid Cars are known to use a combination of gasoline and electric batteries. However, the GX model of the Honda Civic Hybrid uses natural gas to become the first vehicle to meet California's low emission vehicle standards.

By: Andy Hodges
Published: May 20, 2009
Updated: Feb 8, 2010

Honda Civic Hybrid Converts To Fuel Cell Technology

Honda Manufacturing of Indiana, LLC began production of the eco-friendly Honda Civic GX last month in Greensburg, Indiana. The Civic has received top environmental awards for five consecutive years. The vehicle is the first government-certified fuel cell electric vehicle.

It is interesting to note that the Honda Civic GX is the only natural gas vehicle built by a major automaker in the United States. The car was first introduced in 1998 as the cleanest internal combustion which is 90 percent cleaner than the average gasoline-powered car. The GX is certified by the EPA as an Inherently Low Emissions Vehicle (ILEV).

The Honda Hybrid, or natural gas powered-car available for sale in all 50 states. Moreover, the automobile is eligible for a $4,000 federal tax credit as a qualified alternative fuel vehicle. This money could be used to offset the cost of buying the Civic GX, or to use for car repairs in the future.

It is powered by a 113-hp, 1.8-Liter, 16-valve, SOHC i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine and designed with a higher compression ratio to maximize performance from natural gas fuel. The Civic GX has ten years of proven performance as a natural gas powered vehicle. It has an average range of more than 220 miles, and has outstanding fuel economy at 24 MPG (city) and 36 MPG (highway).

Assembling the Civic GX brings flexibility and new capabilities at the plant. It is a comprehensive production facility that includes metal stamping, plastic injection molding, subassembly, and final assembly. Producing the GX on the same assembly line with other vehicles required the addition of unique production processes, including fuel tank sub-assembly and installation, and a fueling center for compressed natural gas.

The Honda Civic sedan features the fuel-efficient 140-hp, 1.8-liter, 16-valve SOHC i-VTEC 4-cylinder gasoline engine. The engine meets or exceeds U.S. EPA Tier 2 Bin 5 emissions standards. The Civic sedan also qualifies as an Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (AT-PZEV) as rated by the California Air Resources Board (CARB).