Honda Worldwide | Environment

Improvement in Fuel Economy

Mid-Term Target and Progress in Achievement

Honda has introduced various technologies for improving fuel economy as a way of reducing CO2 emissions, which are responsible for global warming. As a result, the Airwave, Step Wagon, Civic, Partner, and ZEST,* launched in fiscal 2005, met the fiscal 2010 fuel economy standards of Japan.

* Excluding some types

• Average Fuel Economy by Weight

The fiscal 2010 fuel economy standards were attained in all weight categories. In fiscal 2005, we were able to achieve the following progress.

• Transition in Average Fuel Economy by Category in Accordance with the Fiscal 2010 Fuel Economy Standards of Japan

• Average Fuel Economy

Average fuel economy was improved by approximately 31.1 percent (compared with fiscal 1995) and achieved the objective for 2005 (improvement in average fuel economy by approximately 25 percent) every year since fiscal 2001.

• Improvement in Average Fuel Economy* (FY 1995:100)

* Average fuel economy in Japan

Airwave

Step Wagon

Partner

ZEST

Types Conforming to Fiscal 2010 Fuel Economy Standards and Shipment Results*

In accordance with an amendment to the Energy Saving Law of Japan, the fiscal 2010 fuel economy standards were announced. Honda is making efforts to increase the model types that exceed these values. Of the models sold in fiscal 2005, six models (11 types) newly met the fiscal 2010 fuel economy standards. As a result, a total of 29 models (58 types) currently meet the standards. Also, six models (10 types) were newly certified as vehicles that meet the “2010 Fuel Economy Standards + 5%” requirement, and a total of 23 models (44 types) are now so certified.
The number of vehicles shipped in fiscal 2005 that meet these standards totaled 641,731 units, approximately 91 percent of all Honda vehicles shipped within Japan.

* Shipment results reported to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry

• Types Released in Fiscal 2005 and That Meet
the Fiscal 2010 Fuel Economy Standards

: All types meet the 2010 Fuel Economy Standards + 5%

: Some types meet the 2010 Fuel Economy Standards + 5%

Models	Types Meeting the Standards
Airwave	All types
Civic	AT types
Civic Hybrid	All types
Partner	All types
Step Wagon	All types excluding some FF types
ZEST	Some FF types

• Transition in the Number of Types Meeting Fiscal 2010 Fuel Economy Standards

Standard “Eco Drive” Devices

Many Honda models come standard with eco drive devices, such as fuel economy meters. As of March 2006, 19 models, or approximately 75.6 percent of all Honda vehicles sold in Japan, come equipped with fuel economy meters. Also, seven models (five of which have fuel economy meters) come equipped with eco lamps, which illuminate when the car is being driven economically (in a cruising condition or in deceleration). Honda models equipped with either fuel economy meters or eco lamps account for approximately 78.9 percent of all Honda vehicles sold within Japan in fiscal 2005.

Example

Improvement in the Fuel Economy of Honda’s Major Models

• Civic

The new, eighth-generation Civic is equipped with a newly-developed i-VTEC system, which is more advanced than Honda’s original variable valve timing and lift electronic control (VTEC) system. The new i-VTEC system delays intake valve closure timing during low-load conditions (while cruising), resulting in higher fuel economy of 17.0 km/liter.¹ The new Civic was certified by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport as meeting the “Fiscal 2010 Fuel Economy Standards + 5%”² requirement.
A drive-by-wire (DBW) system provides control over the throttle valve while the valve timing is controlled, resulting in a substantial reduction in pumping losses caused by intake resistance. Thanks to the higher energy efficiency brought about by this DBW system, fuel economy while cruising has been significantly improved.

1. For five-speed AT vehicles in 10-15 mode
2. Five-speed MT vehicles were certified as meeting the fiscal 2010 fuel economy standards.

Civic 1.8 GL

• i-VTEC Mechanism

• Civic Hybrid

The Civic Hybrid, released in November 2005, is equipped with the New Honda Hybrid System and achieves a super-high fuel economy of 31.0 km/L.¹ The Civic Hybrid was certified by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport as meeting the “Fiscal 2010 Fuel Economy Standards + 5%” requirement.²
The New Honda Hybrid System is more advanced than Honda’s original hybrid system, in which an auxiliary motor was combined with the main gasoline engine. This system features a 3-stage i-VTEC engine providing three intake/exhaust valve timing stages (low-rpm, high-rpm, and cylinder-idle mode) according to driving conditions. During deceleration, combustion in all four cylinders is halted, and the cylinder’s intake and exhaust valves are closed, reducing pumping losses caused by intake resistance. As a result, regeneration efficiency in converting rotational energy from the tires to electric energy is greatly improved. Also, in appropriate combination with the Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system, which leads to remarkably higher efficiency, the IMA motor alone powers the vehicle during low-speed cruising. Finally, the engine enters “idle-stop” mode when the vehicle comes to a halt. Fuel economy in 10-15 mode is improved by at least 5 percent.³

1. Fuel economy of the Civic Hybrid MXB in 10-15 mode (results may vary depending on optional equipment.)
2. Also certified as meeting the “Fiscal 2010 Fuel Economy Standards + 10%” and “Fiscal 2010 Fuel Economy Standards + 20%”
3. Compared with the previous generation Civic Hybrid

Civic Hybrid

• Three valve timing stages

• New Honda Hybrid System Modes of Operation