Honda proactively employs advanced environmental and
safety technologies, reflecting its commitment not only to
comply with regulations but also to pass the “joy of mobility”
on to future generations.
Environmental Initiatives
May 2005 saw the enactment of the Kyoto Protocol Target
Attainment Plan in Japan, and the nation has since joined
together to expedite efforts to meet the Plan’s targets.
Honda began actively tackling environmental issues
from an early stage. In 1992, we announced the “Honda
Environment Statement,” which clarifies our stance with
respect to the environment. Following the principles outlined
in the Statement, Honda will step up efforts across all
product categories, focusing on such challenges as making
exhaust gases cleaner, improving fuel economy and
increasing the recyclability of products and materials. We
will also boost development of next-generation energy
technologies, including fuel cells. In addition to establishing
“green factories” within our various production facilities,
we will employ Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) techniques
to lower the environmental burden of all of our business
activities—including distribution and sales. In these ways,
we will strive to minimize the impact of our operations on
the environment.
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Achievement of 2005 Targets
In 1999, Honda announced companywide 2005 targets for
reducing exhaust emissions and increasing fuel efficiency,
and has since reported annually on its progress in meeting
these targets. We intend to meet all of these targets by the
end of fiscal 2006.
| Motorcycles |
In the area of motorcycles, we completed the changeover
to four-stroke engines in all models, with the exception of
some specialty products, in order to achieve cleaner exhaust
emissions and higher fuel efficiency. We are also incorporating
more fuel injection technologies into our small-displacement
models and we are stepping up development of new technologies
and expanding their application in our massproduced
models.
1. Cleaner Exhaust Gas
2005 Target
To reduce total hydrocarbon (HC) exhaust emissions
(total for Japan, the United States, the European Union
and Thailand) of new vehicles to approximately one-third
of the fiscal 1996 level.
Progress
•Target attained
In the previous fiscal year, ended March 2004, total HC
emissions from new motorcycles were up 3.3% from the
preceding period. In the fiscal year ended in March 2005,
however, we achieved a 4.9% reduction (compared
with fiscal 2004) thanks to increased development and application of new technologies. This means that Honda
has reduced HC emissions to approximately one-quarter
of 1995 levels—representing major progress since 2000,
when it reached its original target (one-third of 1995
levels). In Japan, total HC emissions in fiscal 2005
were equivalent to 13.3% of the 1995 level, down
2.9% from fiscal 2004. This stemmed from the fullscale
adoption of four-stroke engines and incorporation
of FI technologies in small-displacement models,
as well as further technological developments and
their expanded application in mass-produced motorcycles. |
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2. Improvement in Fuel Economy
2005 Target
To improve fleet average fuel economy (total average
in Japan, the United States, the European Union and
Thailand) by approximately 30% compared with fiscal
1996.
Progress
•Target attained
Honda expanded the use of four-stroke engines in
motorcycles not only in Japan, but overseas, as well.
It also developed and applied new technologies that
enhance fuel economy, including by increasing fuel
injection-equipped motorcycles in Japan and abroad.
As a result, we achieved a 34.2% improvement in
average fuel economy in fiscal 2005 (compared with
the fiscal 1996 level), surpassing the 30% milestone
attained in fiscal 2004. |
| Automobiles |
Besides achieving cleaner exhaust gas and improved fuel
economy for Honda automobiles, efforts are under way to
develop products using alternative forms of energy.
1. Cleaner Exhaust Gas
2005 Target
To reduce total hyrdrocarbon (HC) and nitrogen oxide
(NOx) exhaust emissions by approximately 75% for new vehicles in Japan, compared with 1995.
* Practically all of Honda’s passenger vehicles have
been approved as “ low emission vehicles” or
“ low emission vehicles.”
Progress
•Target attained
The target of a 75% reduction in total exhaust emissions
in Japan (compared with the fiscal 1996 level)
has been attained since fiscal 2004.
* Total HC emission level: Reduced by around 86.0%
(compared with fiscal 1996)
* Total NOx emission level: Reduced by around 86.0%
(compared with fiscal 1996)
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2. Improvement in Fuel Economy
2005 Target
To achieve the new fuel efficiency standards of Japan
for fiscal 2011 in all weight categories; and to improve
fleet average fuel economy for gasoline-powered vehicles
by approximately 25% compared with fiscal 1996.
Progress
Progress
•Target attained
Honda has achieved the new fuel efficiency standards
in all weight categories. In fiscal 2005, fleet average
fuel economy had improved approximately 30.9%
compared with the fiscal 1996 level. Honda reached
the 25% target in fiscal 2002 and continues to record
further improvements. |
| Power Products |
In this segment, Honda focuses on cleaner exhaust
emissions and improved fuel economy in anticipation
of more stringent regulations being implemented in
various countries.
1. Cleaner Exhaust Gas
2005 Target
To reduce average exhaust emissions (average emission
levels worldwide) of HC and NOx by approximately
30% for new products (compared with the
fiscal 1996 level).
Progress
•Target attained
We achieved the target of a 30% reduction in average
HC and NOx emission levels in fiscal 2002. For fiscal
2005, average HC and NOx emissions were 38%
lower than the fiscal 1996 levels, thanks to ongoing
efforts in this area. |
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2. Improvement in Fuel Economy
2005 Target
To improve average fuel economy by approximately
30% (compared with fiscal 1996).
Progress
•Target attained
By March 2005, the average fuel economy had
improved by approximately 28% of the fiscal 1996
level. |
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Global Activities
Honda’s global mission is to create products with the
highest level of environmentally friendly technologies
through the adoption of the most efficient manufacturing
systems in all regions. Below are some examples of
Honda’s overseas activities involving automobiles.
Thanks to its proprietary technologies, Honda is able to
offer a wide range of products that deliver environmental
performance beyond legal requirements adopted in various
parts of the world with regard to reducing exhaust emissions
and improving fuel economy. The Company continues
to make a valuable contribution to today’s mobility-oriented
society by reconciling demand for transportation with the
manufacture of products that have minimal impact on the
global environment. Honda has adopted the following three
key approaches in all product categories.
1. Further improvement in exhaust emissions and fuel
efficiency of internal combustion engines;
2. Advances in hybrid vehicle technologies;
3. Widespread adoption of alternative energy vehicles.
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1. Further Improvement in Exhaust Emissions and Fuel Efficiency of Internal Combustion Engines
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• North America (United States)
Honda is one of the leading automakers in the United
States and has achieved the industry’s highest corporate
average fuel economy (CAFE) ranking for its 2004 year
models. Consistently supplying the U.S. market with
vehicles that surpass emissions requirements, Honda
was the first automaker to launch Low Emission Vehicles
(LEVs), Ultra-Low Emission Vehicles (ULEVs) and Super
Ultra-Low Emission Vehicles (SULEVs) in this market.
Today, more than 60% of Honda and Acura vehicles have
either achieved or surpassed the federal government’s
Tier2/bin5 exhaust emission standard (NOx: 0.07g/mile)*1.
Based on such successes, in December 2004, Honda
received the “2004 Greenest Automaker” award from the
Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS).
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*1: Tier2/bin5 (NOx: 0.07g/mile)
This standard for exhaust emissions went into effect in 2004, as
established in the United States by the Environmental Protection
Agency as part of the U.S. Clean Air Act. There are 11 “bin”
emission categories. Bin 5 is a stringent level that must be met in
order to continue selling vehicles in the United States. |
• Europe
In Europe, Honda offers low-fuel-consumption vehicles,
hybrid vehicles and clean diesel vehicles in an effort to
reduce carbon dioxide levels. It is making steady progress
toward attaining its 2009 target of 140g/km (carbon dioxide
emissions) set voluntarily by the industry.
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• Asia
In Thailand, Honda offers the Jazz, whose performance
exceeds Euro4*2 emission regulations due for implementation
in 2007. In calendar 2004, vehicles meeting Euro4
regulations accounted for 40% of Honda’s sales in Asia.
All Honda models sold in China already meet Euro3
regulations, due for gradual implementation in Beijing
starting in November 2005.
2. Advances in Hybrid Vehicle Technologies
In November 1999, Honda unveiled the Insight, its first
hybrid vehicle, equipped with the Company’s original
Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system. The Insight delivered
the world's highest-level fuel efficiency* for a gasoline-powered
vehicle. In December 2001, Honda launched
the Civic Hybrid. This was followed in December 2004 by
the Accord Hybrid, launched in the United States as the
world’s first V6 hybrid vehicle, combining Honda’s IMA
hybrid technology with its Variable Cylinder Management
(VCM) engine technology. Production of Honda’s hybrid
vehicles currently takes place at two facilities in Japan,
in Suzuka and Saitama. The mass-market Civic Hybrid
model is sold in 19 countries, including North America,
Europe, Japan and Asia/Oceania. Global sales of hybrid
vehicles stood at around 100,000 units as of April 2005
(89,000 units in the United States, 5,900 in Japan, 3,800
in Europe and 1,500 in Canada).
* Fuel efficiency of the Insight (10-15 mode, 5-speed MT) was 35.0 km/l at the time of its introduction in 1999. The current model achieves 36.0 km/l.
3. Widespread Adoption of Alternative Energy Vehicles
Honda leads the
automotive industry
in promoting the
widespread adoption
of alternative energy
vehicles. By the end
of fiscal 2005, Honda
had delivered a total
of 19 FCX fuel cell
vehicles in the United
States and Japan.
We are also working
to increase sales of our natural-gas-powered Civic GX sedan in North America.
In addition, we are working on the infrastructure to supply
alternative forms of energy, including development of
hydrogen fuel stations and promotion of a home fueling
system for natural-gas-powered vehicles.
Note: For further details, please refer to the Honda Environmental
Annual Report 2005.
URL: http://www.honda.co.jp/environmental-report/2005/
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*2: Euro4
Exhaust emission regulations implemented in Europe from 2005.
Although China and many Asian countries have introduced
European regulations, at present they only comply with Euro3
standards. Euro4 is a stringent level that Thailand is considering
adopting from 2008.
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In April 2005, Honda began selling its
natural-gas-powered Civic GX sedan
in California, together with a home
natural-gas fueling system called Phill
(left of photo). |
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Safety Initiatives
As a manufacturer of mobility products, Honda is
committed to making products that provide high levels
of safety, not only for drivers and passengers but also
for pedestrians. We are committed to promoting safer
driving and to making mobility safer for everyone.
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Safety Technologies
Honda is committed to improving and adopting a wide
range of safety technologies. These include accident
avoidance technologies, technologies that minimize the
impact on passengers and pedestrians in the event of
an accident, and technologies that mitigate the impact
of a collision on other vehicles.
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Seeking to increase stability and ensure more effective
braking control, Honda has set the target of incorporating
its Hydraulic Combined Anti-Lock Brake System*3 into
all new touring and sports bikes (250cc and above) and
large-displacement scooters by the end of 2007. We also
plan to adopt the system in all 250cc-and-above bikes,
except off-road models, as standard by 2010. Moreover,
all on-road and off-road models will be equipped with
ABS braking. As a leader in the European motorcycle
market, Honda is committed to actively incorporating the
aforementioned safety technologies into its motorcycles,
to help realize the European Commission’s plan to cut
road deaths in half by 2010.
In our automobile business, Honda is demonstrating its
“Safety for Everyone” commitment by incorporating a core
set of safety features as standard equipment on every
vehicle we sell. By the end of 2006, all Honda and Acura
models sold in the United States and Canada will feature
front-side airbags, side curtain airbags, anti-lock brakes
and pedestrian safety technologies in all but a few niche
models; with Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) and side curtain
airbags with rollover sensors as standard features in all
light trucks. Finally, Honda’s Advanced Compatibility
Engineering (ACE) body structure is being introduced to all
vehicles as new platforms are introduced during full model
changeovers.
Promoting Safer Driving
Honda will expand its driver safety promotion activities,
which have been in place for some time, to include
Asian countries undergoing rapid motorization. We will
continue promoting our traffic safety education programs
to meet the diversifying needs of customers and step
up safety initiatives conducted at the local level
through our sales outlets. By enhancing education of
riders and drivers, we are dedicated to creating an
even safer society for drivers, passengers and pedestrians.
Driver safety programs modeled on Honda’s activities
in Japan are now operated by 22 corporations in 16
countries. These programs are modified to reflect the
various driving conditions and licensing systems of each
country. In 2004, four more countries began such driver
safety programs. They include in-house instructor training
programs conducted by our motorcycle distributors
in South Korea, Malaysia and Turkey, with the goal of
promoting safer driving practices among dealerships.
In Germany, Honda has joined forces with the German
Automobile Association to run education programs to
enhance the safety skills of people returning to motorcycles
after a long absence. In 2004, we upgraded the
content of programs offered in China since 2003 and in
Thailand since 1989, accelerating Honda’s commitment
to the local communities.
In 2005, Honda plans to add Russia to the list of
countries where it provides full-scale driver safety activities,
in anticipation of further growth of the automobile market
in that nation.
Honda will continue seeking the opinions of customers
and society as it strives to further enhance its “Safety for
Everyone” initiatives.
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*3: Hydraulic Combined Braking System with ABS
This is an original Honda development. It integrates a hydraulic combined
braking system, which links both front and rear wheels when
the left brake lever is engaged, with an anti-lock braking system
(ABS), which prevents the front and rear wheels from locking when
the brake is engaged too forcefully.
Note: Although this system is designed to support the braking action,
both the front- and rear-wheel brakes should still be applied
simultaneously. |
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