Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). Powered by natural gas, Honda claims the Civic GX is the cleanest internal combustion engines in the automotive market. For sale to consumers in California, New York, and Utah alone, the Civic GX gets the equivalent of 36 mpg in testing the government's mileage.
Natural gas comes out of the ground like, well, a gas. Sometimes, natural gas is located along the liquid oil, while other times it is in deposit itself. After it is refined, natural gas is mostly methane. It is possible to produce methane gas from the field decaying organic or coal, but both cost more than conventional natural gas.
To be stored in a quantity necessary to produce useful range of cruising, the gas must be compressed to about 3600 pounds per square inch. That is about 120 times the pressure in your tires. It is why it is commonly known as CNG for the "compressed natural gas."
Natural gas has several important advantages as fuel for Americans. First, natural gas is recognized as the cleanest of fossil fuels: Honda says the Civic GX burns about 90 cent more clean than equivalent gasoline powered vehicle. Also, natural gas produce 75 percent fewer pollutants NOx (oxides of nitrogen) compared a gasoline engine. Second, North America has abundant reserves of natural gas: If more cars burned natural gas, could reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Those driving the Civic GX hardly notice a difference compared to a regular Civic. Up that the vehicle needs refueling.
The Civic GX is based on the Civic LX sedan. The main difference: Instead of a tank of gas, the GX is to store bottles of pressurized gas. Since the Civic GX is given an exemption from the restriction of carpool lanes in some areas, new "vehicles Natural Gas "decals on the rear doors will be to inform the authorities that you are not breaking the law. Other external changes Coverage includes a new front bumper and a revised schedule. Inside, new materials and seat fabric patterns are available, and a new, three-spoke steering wheel is standard.
The Civic GX is equipped with a 113-power 1.8-liter four-cylinder. Despite its more high 12.5:1 compression ratio, it is well below the power produced by the 140 gasoline 1.8-liter in the Civic LX.
The engine comes only with a box of five-speed automatic. On the Government Highway driving cycle, the Civic GX gets the equivalent of a gasoline car that wins 36 miles per gallon rating. Bottles to the Civic GX can not hold the same energy as the fuel tank, so its cruising range is less 250 miles, nearly 100 less than a gasoline-powered Civic. Its short range and limited number of refueling stations in public: the Civic GX is inappropriate for travel. And do not count the roadside assistance service to provide a cargo of natural gas.
Honda claims the Civic GX is the only vehicle certified by the Environmental Protection Agency to meet federal Tier 2 Bin 2 and inherently Low Emission Vehicle (ILEV) zero emission standards evaporative certification.
Unlike some other alternative fuels, most of the infrastructure (pipelines, etc.) for vehicles natural gas fueling stations already exist. Cylinders to store compressed natural gas are the main thing fueling stations would need to add. At one station in 1500 or if natural gas fueling public in the United States, it takes a little longer to fulfill cylinder GX's that than enough to power a car's conventional gasoline tank. The Government lists the refueling stations for natural gas www.afdc.energy.gov.
Since natural gas is transported by pipeline to more than half American households, it is not difficult to refuel a natural gas vehicle powered at your house. Civic GX owners can refuel from their home natural gas supply with the addition of Phill, a home refueling appliance manufactured by FuelMaker Corporation. This system takes the night to fill full tank of Civic GX's.
The Civic GX is the only vehicle to natural gas powered passenger services to retail clients the United States. It is assembled in East Liberty, Ohio. The Honda Civic GX is also a tax deduction of turnover. To buy a Civic GX may win you a grant Tax Credit $ 4,000 and the installation of a home refueling unit in May be worth another $ 1000 tax credit Federal. In several States, the Civic GX can legally use the vehicle occupant High Lane, while some cities offer free parking at meters.
About the Author:
autoMedia.com providing quality automotive information designed to enlighten and entertain the most discriminating car enthusiast, is a team of accomplished automotive journalists serving consumers automotive advice they can trust. Read more of their popular car reviews and road tests like this 2009 Honda Civic GX, as well as reviews on all Honda Models.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – 2009 Honda Civic Test Drive: Powered by Natural Gas
