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CO2 emissions targets for all products and production worldwide |
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Automobiles, motorcycles and other means of motorized transportation consume gasoline, diesel or other fossil fuels, emitting carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and other gases in the process. This contributes to resource depletion, climate change, air pollution and other environmental problems.
On the other hand, mobility is indispensable in industrial development and improving quality of life. There can be no denying that ongoing economic growth throughout the world will heighten demand for mobility. Manufacturers of mobility products thus face the conflicting challenges of reducing their environmental impact while satisfying growing demand.
Striving to fulfill its responsibilities as a manufacturer of mobility products, while also creating new value for its customers, in May 2006 Honda announced CO2 emissions reduction targets for all its products and production activities worldwide, to take effect by 2010 (see page 41). This voluntary announcement of targets for CO2 reduction—a first for the global auto industry—has drawn attention from around the world. |
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Making the most of all forms of energy |
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In an effort to reduce the CO2 emissions of the vehicles it produces, Honda is engaged in a broad range of environmental initiatives that can be divided into two main forms of innovation.
First, by optimizing both mobility and energy use, Honda is working to further advance the efficiency of gasoline engine technology. Hybrid automobiles* are one example. They’re ideally suited to stop-and-go city traffic, but are not so efficient for high-speed, long-distance highway travel. Diesel engines, on the other hand, offer superior fuel efficiency over longer distances. While further enhancing the fuel efficiency of gasoline-powered vehicles, Honda is also offering its customers compact hybrid vehicles for city driving, and, at the same time, developing better diesel engines for the mid-size and larger vehicles favored for highway travel and long-haul commercial purposes. In these ways, we’re optimizing the environmental performance of different vehicles for different purposes. We are also working toward the full-scale commercialization of fuel cell vehicles, often considered the ultimate clean car. And we’re working to implement PGM-FI** technology throughout our motorcycle lineup, as well as introducing ultra-low friction engines and variable cylinder management systems to improve fuel efficiency.
Second, we are working to develop alternate forms of energy: solar panels and ethanol, cogeneration and other ways of providing clean power.
Through a diverse range of environmental technology initiatives, Honda is delivering on the promise of driving pleasure and environmental responsibility. |
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Hybrid automobiles use both a gasoline engine and an electric motor for locomotion. They feature regenerative braking systems that recover braking energy and store it as electricity in batteries. Using this electrical energy in the motor to supplement the power of the gasoline engine, they provide superior fuel efficiency. Hybrid vehicles are well suited to stop-and-go city traffic. |
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Programmed Fuel Injection |
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