Temple of VTEC Rumors and News - Honda Civic GX Leads The Environmental Pack as 'World's Cleanest'

Torrance, Calif. 10/08/2002 -- The 2003 Honda Civic GX Sedan natural gas powered vehicle (NGV) continues its run as the cleanest internal combustion vehicle in the world.
This Civic model is designed to operate on compressed natural gas and features a two-part fuel regulator as well as an automatic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). This combination provides a target driving range of up to 240 miles (at 3,600 PSI fast fill).

The Civic GX is also the cleanest internal combustion vehicle ever tested by the federal government as the first and only vehicle certified to the newest Federal Tier II, Bin 2 emission level. Also certified as a Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), the Civic GX surpasses these two parallel standards and is the only sedan operating at these near-zero levels, available outside of California.

The 2003 Civic GX was designed to comply with AT PZEV, (Advanced Technology, Partial Zero Emission Vehicle) criterion established by CARB allowing the Civic GX credits toward the California Zero Emission Vehicle mandate. It is recognized as a PZEV by meeting SULEV standards and maintaining its emissions durability for at least 150,000 miles or 15 Years.

Additionally, because it operates exclusively on natural gas with no provision for gasoline, the Federal EPA categorized the Civic GX as an ILEV (Inherently Low Emission Vehicle) recognizing its sealed fuel system that emits zero evaporative emissions. The CNG engine uses exclusive intake and exhaust valves to handle the higher compression ratio and gaseous fuel.

SULEV requirements are the most rigorous in the world, calling for a reduction in hydrocarbon emissions of 96 percent from the existing federal Tier-1 passenger car levels, and an 86 percent reduction compared to the California Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) standard. CO_ emissions are 24 percent lower than a comparable gasoline vehicle.

The compression ratio in the CNG engine is 12.5:1 compared to 10:1 in regular gasoline powered engines. The CNG engine has special connecting rods that are stronger than in the gasoline engines in order to be able to handle the extra force generated by the higher compression ratio.

With its development parallel to the Civic, the GX was not created as an afterthought, but instead from the ground up as a reflection of Honda's dedication to the environment. The 2003 Civic GX is the third generation CNG vehicle for Honda.

The Civic GX is Honda's dedicated natural gas-powered vehicle designed to take advantage not only of the low emission characteristics of natural gas, but also the expected long-term availability of natural gas. Introduced in 1998, the Civic GX, it has been marketed primarily to fleet customers nationwide. In addition to the Civic GX, Honda also offers a SULEV certified Accord in California, the first gasoline-powered vehicle to meet this strict California standard.