Honda Hybrid

Honda has been one of the front runners in hybrid production since the release of the Insight to the US in December of 1999. Honda continues it's tradition of revolutionizing the automotive market year after year with the news of availability of new hybrid models, like the Civic Hybrid and the Accord Hybrid.

Honda's first production hybrid was the Insight, which has recently been positioned as one of the most affordable hybrid cars available for sale, with 2004 Insight prices under $20,000. Though the Insight is an extremely eco-friendly car, its main function is to provide high fuel economy. It has met this goal with success, as the Insight has been awarded the highest EPA rated fuel economy of any passenger automobile available on the market, since its introduction.

Next came the Civic Hybrid. Honda's Civic Hybrid, noted for bringing hybrid-electric technology to a mainstream, top-selling vehicle, was the first hybrid vehicle to achieve Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emission Vehicle status under California's Zero Emission Vehicle program. It was the only hybrid vehicle to achieve this stringent emissions level, producing about 90-percent fewer smog-forming engine emissions than required of a typical new vehicle. The end result was the most popular compact 5-passenger sedan in the country that increases its appeal with an impressive 50 mpg - a 40 percent increase compared to an already-efficient Civic LX sedan. The Civic Hybrid continues production in 2004 and 2005 with increased popularity, and prices start at $19,650.

The Honda Accord, Honda's top selling automobile, is an award winning car, and it is to be paired with Honda's award winning Integrated Motor Assist hybrid system. Available for the 2005 model year, the new Accord Hybrid is continuing Honda's new tradition of integrating hybrid technology with mainstream appeal. The Accord V6 Hybrid is slated as one of the first practical performance hybrids on the market, boasting an impressive 240 horsepower engine with the fuel economy comparable to that of the 4-cylinder Honda Civic, and much greener emissions that any other performance sedan available.