Impressive record, but there's still work to do
A few weeks ago, Honda released its third annual environmental performance report for North America. This document highlights the automaker's efforts and initiatives across the continent during the 2007 financial year. A special emphasis was put on global warming as well as product and technological innovation. Let's have a closer look at the report.
Global warming
From the get-go, the Japanese manufacturer recognizes that global warming and energy sustainability are two of the most critical environmental issues we need to address. Since Honda is currently the world's largest gasoline-powered engine manufacturer, it's their social obligation to put everything forward to improve the efficiency of their products and manufacturing processes in all corners of the globe.
Realistic goals
In May 2006, Honda became the first and only automaker to have specific goals in terms of reducing CO2 emissions not only from its automobiles, motorsport vehicles and power equipment but also from its manufacturing processes. Their goals for the first decade of the 21st century include a 10-percent reduction for automobiles, a 20-percent reduction for motorsport vehicles and power equipment, and a 20-percent reduction for manufacturing processes.
Promising results
Honda has made significant headway in its quest to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on a global scale, having reached 6 percent for automobiles and 9.5 percent for motorsport vehicles and power equipment. On both fronts, the automaker will have to keep working relentlessly if it wants to achieve the goals set last year. However, Honda has already exceeded their goal for manufacturing processes, with a 23.2-percent CO2 emission reduction.
Product and technological innovation
By introducing new technologies as well as more fuel-efficient, less polluting vehicles, Honda was able to maintain an average fuel economy rating of 8.08 L/100 km for its entire lineup. By 2010, they expect to drop this figure by 5 percent thanks to a series of technological advancements like cylinder deactivation, next-generation hybrids, new diesel-powered four-cylinder engines and fuel-cell vehicles.
As for motorsport vehicles, Honda developed new four-stroke engines and plans on expanding the use of electronic fuel injection to further reduce emissions and increase fuel economy. Likewise, power tools and equipment benefit from a revised four-stroke technology across the United States.
There's still a lot more to do!
As a manufacturer of automobiles, motorsport vehicles and power equipment, Honda boasts an enviable environmental performance compared to other manufacturers. With a combined fuel economy rating of 8.08 L/100 km for its cars and trucks, environmentalists and the general public have little to complain about, except maybe that Honda's vehicles keep getting bigger and bigger, and that interest rates for purchasing or leasing a hybrid vehicle are dissuasively high. That's where, in my mind, Honda still has a lot of work to do.
photo:Honda
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Global warming
From the get-go, the Japanese manufacturer recognizes that global warming and energy sustainability are two of the most critical environmental issues we need to address. Since Honda is currently the world's largest gasoline-powered engine manufacturer, it's their social obligation to put everything forward to improve the efficiency of their products and manufacturing processes in all corners of the globe.
Realistic goals
In May 2006, Honda became the first and only automaker to have specific goals in terms of reducing CO2 emissions not only from its automobiles, motorsport vehicles and power equipment but also from its manufacturing processes. Their goals for the first decade of the 21st century include a 10-percent reduction for automobiles, a 20-percent reduction for motorsport vehicles and power equipment, and a 20-percent reduction for manufacturing processes.
Promising results
Honda has made significant headway in its quest to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on a global scale, having reached 6 percent for automobiles and 9.5 percent for motorsport vehicles and power equipment. On both fronts, the automaker will have to keep working relentlessly if it wants to achieve the goals set last year. However, Honda has already exceeded their goal for manufacturing processes, with a 23.2-percent CO2 emission reduction.
Product and technological innovation
By introducing new technologies as well as more fuel-efficient, less polluting vehicles, Honda was able to maintain an average fuel economy rating of 8.08 L/100 km for its entire lineup. By 2010, they expect to drop this figure by 5 percent thanks to a series of technological advancements like cylinder deactivation, next-generation hybrids, new diesel-powered four-cylinder engines and fuel-cell vehicles.
As for motorsport vehicles, Honda developed new four-stroke engines and plans on expanding the use of electronic fuel injection to further reduce emissions and increase fuel economy. Likewise, power tools and equipment benefit from a revised four-stroke technology across the United States.
There's still a lot more to do!
As a manufacturer of automobiles, motorsport vehicles and power equipment, Honda boasts an enviable environmental performance compared to other manufacturers. With a combined fuel economy rating of 8.08 L/100 km for its cars and trucks, environmentalists and the general public have little to complain about, except maybe that Honda's vehicles keep getting bigger and bigger, and that interest rates for purchasing or leasing a hybrid vehicle are dissuasively high. That's where, in my mind, Honda still has a lot of work to do.
photo:Honda