Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Honda To Roll Out Natural Gas Car

You can read the story here, in the Indy Star.

GREENSBURG, Ind. -- Indiana's newest auto plant will make one of the cleanest and greenest Honda Civics in the world.

Civic GX is a $25,000 commuter car that runs only on natural gas -- going about 192 miles in city driving on an 8-gallon fuel tank that currently costs about $16 to refill at Indianapolis natural gas stations.

Basically, Honda is hedging its bets that oil prices will rise again. And we all know they will, in part because Americans will probably change their habits again, now that prices are lower.

So take a good look at this, because it may be one of the last real innovations based on choice. Here we have another choice offered by capitalism, but from here on out, I predict their will be mandates.

My concern right now is the lack of infrastructure to maintain such a vehicle. But that can be solved quickly, if the markets respond appropriately. The costs of regular maintenance and how many fueling stations can be built will be factors in how great of a deal this turns out to be. Another cause for concern: The response of the natural gas market, specifically, whether windmills can be implemented quickly enough to replace the existing need for energy. Will the new demand stress the the supply for people that use gas for heating? Most likely, yes.

This is also where I expect T. Boone to enter the scene on a golden horse.


But more than all of this, I think this is why Detroit is wanting a bailout right now. Maybe, just maybe, they are afraid this will catch like fire and they will be left in the dust.

8 comments:

Greg said...

I still think the best option for vehicles is a plug-in electric with power from a nuclear power plant (or clean coal or hydroelectric).

Still, the Civic is an awesome car. Honda does just about everthing right, so if any company can make it work, it would be Honda.

Ducky's here said...

Natural gas engines aren't hat new.

The ignition process is much more efficient than gasoline and engine wear is significantly lower.

Meanwhile Detroit trots out what, the Hummer 3 1/2?
Boy, some management team.

LA Sunset said...

//I still think the best option for vehicles is a plug-in electric with power from a nuclear power plant (or clean coal or hydroelectric).//

Another good option. I think all forms of alternative energy should be discussed, developed, and implemented.

LA Sunset said...

//Natural gas engines aren't hat new.//

I worked for a company that jobbed out the vehicle fleet to a local Hertz franchise. They also owned a cab company that used propane in their taxis. It was a good idea when it was started, but then propane went up. They worked through it, because they had enough business in the other areas to weather.They didn't put all of their eggs in one basket.

Diversifying energy is the only way to go. We have to use every means possible.

LA Sunset said...

Addendum to I worked for a company that jobbed out the vehicle fleet to a local Hertz franchise.

Keep in mind, this was over 20 years ago.

Anonymous said...

Honda isn't looking for a bailout? That's interesting.

Anonymous said...

As long as we have a congress, there will never be a shortage of natural gas.

Anonymous said...

From Cnn website

"Congressional Democrats say if automakers will show them how they plan to spend the $25 billion in aid they're asking for, Congress will likely return in the next few weeks to deal with it,..."

Well, here's the answer

"it's kinda like we will spend it on like improving the vehicles and satisfying our customer needs and if like well you know such as and kinda like blah blah blah!"

Democratic Congress.

That's good enough for us!