Oklahoma becomes fourth retail market for Honda's Civic GX NGV!

[xcel]

Dealer network expands for retail sales of nation's only natural gas-powered vehicle sold by an OEM

Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - April 26, 2010

2010 Honda Civic GX - $25,340 to start and 29 mpgUS equivalent.

Honda announced that dealers in Oklahoma will now have the option of selling the compressed natural gas (CNG) powered Honda Civic GX to customers on a retail basis. There are 13 Honda dealers in Oklahoma, three of which are already selling the Civic GX as a fleet vehicle.

"Expanding Honda's Civic GX retail program along with the continued success of fleet sales expresses our commitment to the environment and natural gas vehicle technology," said Elmer Hardy, senior manager of Alternative Fuel Vehicle Sales & Marketing. "Honda seeks market opportunities for the Civic GX where strong natural gas refueling infrastructure exists, and we continue to see its promise as a clean, sustainable, domestically-sourced alternative fuel."

Honda is the only OEM currently selling a CNG-powered vehicle on a retail basis in the United States. Additionally, the Civic GX is the only OEM-built, CNG-powered passenger car assembled in America. The Civic GX is built on the same assembly line as the gasoline-powered Civic 4-door models at Honda's Greensburg, Indiana manufacturing facility.

In 2006, the Civic GX became available for the first time to retail customers in California. Since then, retail sales have expanded to New York, Utah and now, Oklahoma. Currently, 43 dealers in California, 19 in New York and eight in Utah have added Retail Sales Addendums to their Honda Sales Agreements that enable them to sell the Civic GX on a retail basis. When including dealerships that sell fleet vehicles, there are a total of 134 Civic GX dealers in 33 states.

Oklahoma is an ideal market to expand retail sales of the Civic GX with its low refueling costs, a generous state tax incentive toward the purchase of a new Civic GX and solid fleet sales. As the second largest natural gas producing state in the U.S., Oklahoma already has a strong existing CNG station infrastructure with robust plans to expand the network over the next several years.

The 2010 Civic GX achieves an EPA-estimated city/highway fuel economy of 24/36 miles per gasoline-gallon equivalent and is the only vehicle certified by the EPA to meet both Federal Tier 2-Bin 2 and Inherently Low Emission Vehicle (ILEV) zero evaporative emission certification standards. Additionally, the Honda Civic GX is the cleanest internal combustion vehicle ever tested by the EPA, and for the seventh straight year, the Civic GX NGV was named "Greenest Vehicle" by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE).

Although a bit on the pricey side, the extremely low emissions, cost savings at the pump, domestically supplied fuel source and a vehicle as nice as the Civic make for a solid choice for those near a CNG station.

For an overview of the CNG Civic albeit the last generation, consider the following: CleanMPG Previews the 2004 Honda Civic Compressed Natural Gas powered GX.

[WriConsult]

Back in 1998 I bought a new Civic. The GX had just become available and I strongly considered it. I like the cost savings, the extremely low emissions, the somewhat lower carbon footprint and the extremely low terrorism footprint. Although it was officially offered only to fleets, my dealer was willing to sell me one. Ultimately I bought a sweet 4-door EX 5MT on ad. Here's why I didn't get the GX:

• No CNG fueling facilities open to the public locally. I suspect I probably could have negotiated access to one of the private fleet refueling facilities (most notably that of my natural gas utility) but no guarantees of that. If I lived in Seattle things might be different, because there are at least a half-dozen public CNG facilities there. I could probably manage to live with one commuter-only car in the family that can't live town, but I at least need to be able to fill it locally. And not having off street parking I'm not up for trying to get a "Phill" home fueling station installed. Bottom line: deal killer.
• A lot more expensive to buy than a conventional Civic. Enough so that it might actually cost less to convert a conventional Civic than to buy the GX. And contrary to a Consumer Reports article on the GX used models appear to be more expensive than conventional Civics. Deal killer.
• The CNG tank takes up half the trunk. A hassle especially for a car with already a very small trunk, but not a deal killer for a commuter car I suppose.
• Automatic only (4sp 1998-2000, then CVT from 2001 onward). Not a deal killer, but a definite downside.

[Earthling]

The new Civic GX's have a bigger tank and greater range than the early ones. Most of my driving at work is in Civic GX's.

I like driving around without using a drop of gasoline.

Harry

[EVuser]

The NGV is real popular with commuters here. A free pass on the bay area bridge tolls during commute, solo in the car pool lanes and dirt cheap fuel costs. Dealer and local incentives as well as fed Tax credits bring the price down to the cost of a DX or LX civic so it is way cheaper than a hybrid civic.