There are definite disadvantages to driving a compressed natural gas Honda Civic. If you don't have a PHILL home refueling unit, where do you fill up? You need to know where you can get the stuff. Then there's how long it takes to fill up.
But then again, one of the great advantages is you get to drive in the carpool lane. In Southern California, that's a big plus. And you get to drive a Honda Civic. Nice car.
Oh, and I guess there is this thing about the environment or something.
Our Honda Civic GX is Car of the Week.
Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor
kingkhalas says:
11:14 PM, 06/28/09
Isn't the carpool lane thing going away sometime soon?
clarkma5 says:
11:43 PM, 06/28/09
Your Civic GX has been in the fleet for an awfully long time. Is there any reason it's on a 2 year test instead of a 1 year? Or is it sticking around even longer than that? You guys sure don't mention it much.
dougtheeng says:
05:42 AM, 06/29/09
Glad to see this vehicle as the COTW.
So in California, what is the requirement for a carpool lane? Either an eco-vehicle or multiple passengers?
Here in Southern Ontario, you just need multiple passengers.
banhugh says:
06:20 AM, 06/29/09
speaking about fuel sipping cars, is the prius still around? How is the Prius battery holding after, what, about 5 years?, of driving?
thegrocer says:
07:43 AM, 06/29/09
I am curious how the fuel economy is being calculated for the GX, is it gallons of CNG burned or is it converted to a gasoline equivalent MPG? (i.e. total energy used calculated, then divided by the amount of energy in a gallon of gas)
nitrous683 says:
10:01 AM, 06/29/09
Im not sure how they do it, but I think the most accurate way would be to calculate the moles of natural gas used / mile and then compare that to the number of moles of gasoline in one gallon.
charlesb says:
10:57 AM, 06/29/09
I don't think the carpool lane will be going away for CNG cars for a long time. These are really squeaky clean vehicles.
stingray454 says:
11:45 AM, 06/29/09
Does the '09 Jetta TDI qualify for the carpool lane too in CA? I know it's a clean diesel, but it's mileage is better than most hybrids, especially on the highway. If hybrids qualify, than clean diesels should too.
ctpax says:
12:09 PM, 06/29/09
yawn
bimmerjay says:
09:13 PM, 06/29/09
Finally, something other than a BMW for COTW.