The starting price for the Honda Civic Natural Gas has been announced. Starting at $26,155, with a $750 destination fee, the Civic Natural Gas will be the most expensive Civic, but it’s also the only natural gas-burning passenger vehicle produced in the country.
Despite being one of a kind, the Civic Natural Gas has somehow stayed out of press and been largely ignored. When it comes to alternatives to gasoline, the spotlight hovers on electric and hybrid vehicles instead. However, natural gas can save drivers 30 per cent on fuel. Admittedly, the previous version of the Civic Natural Gas, the Civic GX, is only available in four states. Under its new name, it will be offered in an additional 38 states when it is released mid-October.
The Civic Natural Gas has undergone more updates than just a name change. Fans will notice new styling, enhanced performance, and, of course, increased fuel economy. With its 1.8L 4-cylinder engine, the Civic Natural Gas gets 27 mpg in the city, 38 mpg on the highway, and 31 mpg combined. Drivers can also enjoy another great benefit: many states are granting access to the HOV lanes for single occupants driving a Civic Natural Gas. So you won’t only save money – you’ll save time, too.
Drivers can refuel in their own home. All they have to do is tap into their gas line. On the road, they can use natural gas refueling stations, although these stations are much more rare than normal gas stations. To help drivers find natural gas stations, the Civic Natural Gas is equipped with a Honda Satellite Navigation System.
Currently, Honda is the only major car manufacturer that produces a natural gas car. If the Civic Natural Gas sees any success, however, maybe we’ll start seeing other brands follow suit. The benefits of natural gas are clear: it’s abundant, domestically produced, and costs less. Only time will tell if natural gas cars will become a substantial player in the alternative fuel vehicles market.
Tags: 2012, Honda, Civic, Natural Gas, fuel, alternatives