Description

The 2003 (or 2004) Civic Hybrid is most similar to the Honda Civic LX, in terms of options, look and feel. Basically the list includes ABS, Front/Side Airbags, CD Player, Thermostat-Climate Control, AC, Power Steering/Brakes, Power Windows/Locks, Cruise Control. It is a nice car, certainly comfortable for 4 people, though probably 3 with gear on long trips. For full information, visit Honda's web page. Honda Civic Hybrid Specs As far as normal car vs hybrid is concerned, the EPA specs 47/48 mpg for the hybrid, vs 38/32 mpg for the Civic LX for highway/city. (These numbers tend to be inflated for both.) Also, the hybrid is a SULEV, which is one of, if not the lowest-emission ratings for a gasoline-powered car. The dash panel of the Civic Hybrid is shown here. It shows you when the batteries are charging or assisting the engine. Also shows the gas consumption on the trip meters, which is worth knowing on any car. Also notice the "auto stop" light at the bottom left. The engine shuts off if you are stopped at an intersection in neutral to save gas. Actually, aside from auto stop, you'd never know you were driving a hybrid.

Hybrid Cars

My Decision Process

In the Honda line, a Civic Hybrid costs about $4900 more than the Civic LX sedan, which seems to have comparable features such as airbags, CD player, power everything, etc. Of that $4900, you can hope to save $200-300/year on gas. Then you get the tax deduction of $2000, which probably translates to about $700 in tax saved. So if you keep the car for 8 years, you get back $3100 of the $4900 that you saved. So having the hybrid basically cost you about $2200 more. Unknowns right now are what the resale value will be like, given that hybrid technology will improve, and if replacing the batteries really costs over $1000 after the 8-year warranty runs out. Personally I think you have to be willing to eat the $2200, though hopefully you won't.

It is nice that the incremental cost of the hybrid is actually that small. They say the Civic Hybrid costs Honda about $30,000 to make right now. For the extra $2200, you get to know that you are reducing oil dependence, and you have a SULEV, which means you are drastically reducing emissions. Probably most importantly, you are supporting hybrid development. The only way for these cars to become affordable is for people to buy them. By the time everyone in the less wealthy parts of the world wants to buy a car, it would be nice if they can get something that causes a lot less environmental destruction than what we do. It's not much to ask for us to at least take some responsibility in this.

One more thing - power. Yes, the hybrid has less power than other cars. Yes, it will be slow going up hills, but honestly that is about 2% of the driving I do. And people have driven 1970s volkswagon vans for years with less power. The success of the automobile industry in convincing people that they need powerful cars is probably the single biggest factor in why vehicle fuel efficiency has not improved much in 20 years. And the hybrid is still faster than my bike!

Put simply, I believe that global warming is a problem, and I believe that oil usage is a problem. As a researcher, I know that some statements are hard to back up. However, these two are not. In Al Gore's Jan 15/2004 speech, he states that America is responsible for more greenhouse gas production than China, Europe and South America combined.

If Americans (and Canadians are probably up there) cause this much pollution that is affecting the lives of billions of people who live in poverty, then it seems like it is up to us to do something. And let's face it, if China, India, Pakistan and other countries ever own half the cars per capita as we do, we'd better hope that technology improves.

About five years ago, I swore that the next car I drove would be electric. Unfortunately, oil companies have successfully delayed the advent of zero-emission vehicles. If it weren't for political power of oil companies, the hybrid might now be an economical investment. When my 1989 Civic, still achieving 35 MPG city/highway combined reached it's end, I was disillusioned to find the new Civics spec'd at 32/38 MPG by the EPA tests, which everyone knows result in inflated estimates. In 14 years, Honda, one of the makers of more fuel-efficient cars had managed to make cars less efficient, but more powerful.

Fortunately I didn't need a new car that much, so could wait many months and think it over. In the end, I decided to go with a hybrid for three reasons:

1. I believe that governments do not provide adequate funding for the development of cleaner cars.
2. Though costly, and not necessarily all that more efficient, hybrid cars make the statement that we can reduce gas usage and pollution. I am fortunate that I could afford that $2000-$3000 statement.
3. In a capitalist system, the most powerful vote you have is your money. Support products that are responsible, and those companies will prosper.

So that's about it, in a nutshell. I know everyone has their cause, and there are many worthy causes out there. Unfortunately we live in an age where governments are easily influenced by money. I wish I were more informed on more issues where I could make a difference.

Based on what I have read, here are the best ways to improve fuel efficiency:

• Keep tires inflated near their maximum-rated pressure.
• Shift gears early when accelerating, and drive in the highest gear you can.
• Try to drive without the brakes... meaning don't accelerate when you are going to have to brake soon anyway.
• (Hybrid) Use the gears to slow down, especially when the IMA battery is not charged.
• (Hybrid) Use auto-stop.
• Take off your roof rack when you don't need it.

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