Not to be overlooked is the fact that automobiles account for about 60 percent of all transportation-related GHGs.
Nine solutions
With a history of finding innovative solutions to protect the environment (including the CVCC engine, in 1974), Honda engineers are currently reassessing nine alternative solutions to counter these problems, starting with CO2 emissions. Mr. Bienenfeld described them this way:
1) Biofuels: significant impact on both the social and environmental fronts; sub-par energy efficiency; distribution methods still need development.
2) Clean diesel: problem with customer acceptance in the U.S.; interesting performance; launching a 4-cylinder diesel engine in North America is still a possibility, but no V6.
3) Natural gas: clean though unattractive solution for consumers; inexpensive complementary technology; cumbersome installation in cars; distribution methods still need development.
4) Weight reduction techniques: logical, desirable and feasible solution (as evidenced by the Honda Fit, among others); the average American buyer will have to change his/her vision, opting for small cars instead of bigger ones; requires modifications to the U.S. government's CAFE regulations.
5) Internal combustion engine improvements: must-have solution that's long been used by Honda (VTEC, CVT, etc.); no reduction of our dependence on traditional fuels; expensive development of new technologies.
6) Hybrids: alternative solution that's reasonably affordable and desirable by consumers; reduction of our dependence on traditional fuels.
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| Honda is relying on affordable pricing to sell 5,000 Insights in Canada, or double the number of Civic Hybrids sold last year. |
Nine solutions
With a history of finding innovative solutions to protect the environment (including the CVCC engine, in 1974), Honda engineers are currently reassessing nine alternative solutions to counter these problems, starting with CO2 emissions. Mr. Bienenfeld described them this way:
1) Biofuels: significant impact on both the social and environmental fronts; sub-par energy efficiency; distribution methods still need development.
2) Clean diesel: problem with customer acceptance in the U.S.; interesting performance; launching a 4-cylinder diesel engine in North America is still a possibility, but no V6.
3) Natural gas: clean though unattractive solution for consumers; inexpensive complementary technology; cumbersome installation in cars; distribution methods still need development.
4) Weight reduction techniques: logical, desirable and feasible solution (as evidenced by the Honda Fit, among others); the average American buyer will have to change his/her vision, opting for small cars instead of bigger ones; requires modifications to the U.S. government's CAFE regulations.
5) Internal combustion engine improvements: must-have solution that's long been used by Honda (VTEC, CVT, etc.); no reduction of our dependence on traditional fuels; expensive development of new technologies.
6) Hybrids: alternative solution that's reasonably affordable and desirable by consumers; reduction of our dependence on traditional fuels.
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| The gas-electric hybrid powertrain of the 2010 Honda Insight is more basic than that of the Toyota Prius. |