Achieving Cleaner Exhaust Emissions
Mid-Term Target and Progress in Achievement
Honda gives high priority to cleaner exhaust emissions from gasoline-powered vehicles. We are working to reduce carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), and nitrogen oxides (NOx) contained in exhaust emissions. In fiscal 2005, we achieved our target of reducing total HC and NOx exhaust emissions by 75 percent (compared with fiscal 1995), which we have done consecutively since fiscal 2003.In as early as fiscal 2003, we met the 2005 exhaust emissions standards in all models and have since increased the number of models approved as “
low emission vehicles” and “ low emission vehicles.”Note:
low emission vehicle... emissions are 50% lower than the 2005 exhaust emissions standards low emission vehicle...emissions are 75% lower than the 2005 exhaust emissions standards • Transition in Total HC and NOx Emissions* in Japan (FY 1995: 100) 
• Number of Types that Meet the Exhaust Emissions
Standards and Were Approved as Low Emission Vehicles (FY 1995: 100)
Note: In fiscal 2003, when a new low emission vehicle approval scheme under the 2005 exhaust emissions standards was introduced, total emissions of HC and NOx of those models subject to the 2000 exhaust emissions standards and older models were computed and totaled using the 10-15 mode, and total emissions of HC and NOx of those models subject to the 2005 exhaust emissions standards were computed and totaled using the new test mode for the 2005 regulations. For those models subject to the 2005 exhaust emissions standards, total emissions of HC are computed in non-methane hydrocarbon (NMHC).
* Total emissions in Japan (excluding emissions from tracks and light trucks)
* Total emissions in Japan (excluding emissions from tracks and light trucks)
• Number of Types that Meet the Exhaust Emissions
Standards and Were Approved as Low Emission Vehicles (FY 1995: 100)
Note: Because a new low emission vehicle approval scheme under the 2005 exhaust emissions standards was introduced on October 1, 2003, the numbers approved under the 2000 exhaust emissions standards and under the 2005 exhaust emissions standards are both indicated.
* In order to give greater impetus to the use of low emission vehicles, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport of Japan has instituted this approval system. Low emission vehicles with HC and NOx emission levels below the 2000 exhaust emissions standards are classed into three categories for approval.
75% lower than the standards: “Ultra”
50% lower than the standards: “Excellent”
25% lower than the standards: “Good”
* In order to give greater impetus to the use of low emission vehicles, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport of Japan has instituted this approval system. Low emission vehicles with HC and NOx emission levels below the 2000 exhaust emissions standards are classed into three categories for approval.
75% lower than the standards: “Ultra”
50% lower than the standards: “Excellent”
25% lower than the standards: “Good”
Models/Types and Sales Results for Vehicles Approved as Low Emission Vehicles
Honda has endeavored to expand the number of its models that meet the 2005 exhaust emissions standards and are approved by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport as low emission vehicles. For the six models introduced in fiscal 2005—the Airwave, Step Wagon, Civic, Civic Hybrid, Partner, and ZEST—, all types, excluding some types of the ZEST, were approved as “ low emission vehicles.” Also, some types of the ZEST (4WD) were approved as “ low emission vehicles.”
Unit sales of Honda models that meet the 2005 exhaust emissions standards of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and are approved as low emission vehicles totaled 609,498 units in fiscal 2005, accounting for 85.9 percent of Honda’s total domestic unit sales (85.2 percent of the unit sales of passenger cars).
low emission vehicles.” Also, some types of the ZEST (4WD) were approved as “ low emission vehicles.”Unit sales of Honda models that meet the 2005 exhaust emissions standards of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and are approved as low emission vehicles totaled 609,498 units in fiscal 2005, accounting for 85.9 percent of Honda’s total domestic unit sales (85.2 percent of the unit sales of passenger cars).
• Low Emission Vehicles Marketed in Fiscal 2005 (Models Approved as “” or “” Low Emission Vehicles under the 2005 Exhaust Emissions Regulations)
• Transition in the Sales Results in Japan
” or “” Low Emission Vehicles under the 2005 Exhaust Emissions Regulations)| Approved as “ low emission vehicles” (75% lower than the 2005 standards): 6 models |
Airwave |
| Step Wagon | |
| Civic | |
| Civic Hybrid | |
| Partner | |
| ZEST (FF types) | |
| Approved as “ low emission vehicles” (50% lower than the 2005 standards): 1 model |
ZEST (4WD types) |
• Transition in the Sales Results in Japan
Note: For fiscal 2004, only the sales of vehicles that meet the 2005 exhaust emissions standards and are approved as low emission vehicles are shown.
Example
Improvement in the Emission Performance of Honda’s Major Models
• Civic
The Civic, released in September 2005, after undergoing a full model change, is equipped with a newly developed 1.8-liter i-VTEC engine, achieving performance on par with a 2.0-liter engine during takeoff and acceleration. All types of this new Civic were approved as “ low emission vehicles” by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. As for major technologies used in producing cleaner exhaust emissions, we adopted an air flow meter and further improved the high-precision air-fuel ratio control system by using a linear air-fuel ratio sensor and an O2 sensor. Also, we adopted an exhaust manifold integrated with the cylinder head and a close-coupled two-bed catalytic converter to substantially reduce the heat loss of combustion gas, thereby enabling the prompt activation of the catalytic converter. As a result, the cleaning performance of the catalytic converter can be maximized immediately after a cold start.
Civic 1.8 GL
Cylinder head structure
Exhaust system
Note: low emission vehicle... emissions are 50% lower than the 2005 exhaust emissions standards
low emission vehicle...emissions are 75% lower than the 2005 exhaust emissions standards
low emission vehicle... emissions are 50% lower than the 2005 exhaust emissions standards low emission vehicle...emissions are 75% lower than the 2005 exhaust emissions standards 