DETROIT
-- Honda
is now adding the Civic GX natural gas vehicle to the market
for purchase by Michigan consumers. The vehicle was previously
only available to those who lived in California. Another option
is available for those who want to reduce their dependence
on foreign oil.
The Civic
GX natural gas vehicle can be purchased at Michigan Honda
dealers. They are on a special order basis. They are built
in Ohio and made with 80% parts from North America. You will
receive a $4,000 tax credit for buying the vehicle. There
is no cap on the number of tax credits that are offered to
consumers. With hybrid vehicles, tax credits would only be
available for the first 60,000 customers for a manufacturer.
The tax credit for the Civic GX will not expire.
This car
comes with a 1.7 liter engine and a 5-speed automatic transmission.
It is expected to be 98% cleaner than gasoline-powered vehicles.
It creates zero emissions. The natural gas tank is located
in the trunk. It can hold 3,600 psi of natural gas which is
equal to about 8 gallons of liquid gasoline. It offers a driving
range of 200-225 miles. In the city, you will receive 28 mpg
and on the highway, 39 mpg.
On a normal
gasoline-powered vehicle, you will need an oil change every
3,000 to 4,000 miles. With the Honda Civic GX, an oil change
is only needed once every 10,000 miles. It makes it a lot
easier on the driver. Oil changes will become less of a problem
with our very busy lives.
There
are two ways to re-fill your natural gas vehicle. Honda is
also selling a home refueling machine named "Phill."
It will take about eight hours to fill the vehicle for 100
miles. To fill the vehicle completely, it will take about
12 hours time.
Your N.G.V.
can also be filled at a nearby refueling station. That will
take anywhere from three to seven minutes and is known as
a "quick fill." There are 14 natural gas refueling
stations in Michigan. There are five stations within the city
of Detroit and two in Ann Arbor. The others are located in
surrounding cities. For a complete map and list of locations,
click
here.
According
to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the price of
natural gas is 15 to 40 percent less than the price of gasoline
and diesel.
The Honda
Civic GX natural gas vehicle starts at $24,590. That price
does not include any extra features. You will receive a $4,000
federal tax credit for purchasing this car. Remember, they
can be special ordered at your local Honda dealer in Michigan.
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PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / AMERICAJR.com
This
is what a home fueling station would look like for the Honda
Civic N.G.V.
