Environmental Leadership Timeline*

1973
Honda introduces 4-stroke marine engines to the U.S. - a cleaner, quieter, more fuel-efficient engine.

1974
The Honda Civic CVCC is the first car to meet the 1970 U.S. Clean Air Act standards on engine performance alone.

 

1986
Honda Civic CRX is the first mass produced car to break the 50 mpg fuel economy mark.

 


Honda R&D begins research on hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle.

1988
VTEC, the foundation technology for Honda achievements in low emissions, high fuel economy and high performance automobiles, is introduced.

1989
Honda becomes first automaker to use waterborne basecoat paint in automobile mass production.

1995
World’s first gasoline Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV), the 1996 Honda Civic, is introduced in California.

 

1996
Civic HX Coupe with Continuously Variable Transmission(CVT) is the only automatic transmission vehicle to make the EPA’s top 10 must fuel-efficient vehicles list.

1997
The first four-passenger battery electric vehicle, the 1997 Honda EV Plus, is leased to customers in California.

The 1998 Accord, the first Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) is introduced.

1998
U.S. EPA recognizes the natural-gas-powered Civic GX as the cleanest internal-combustion engine it has ever tested.

1999
Honda introduces America’s first gas-electric vehicle, the 2000 Honda Insight.

Honda introduces the 2000 Accord, the first Super-Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV).

 


Prototype fuel-cell vehicles, the FXC-V1 and the FCX-V2 are introduced.

2000
The 2001 Civic, the first 50 state Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV), goes on sale.

The 2001 Civic GX becomes the first vehicle certified to CARB Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (ATPZEV) standards.

2001
Honda becomes the first automaker to offer an entire lineup of cars and trucks (Honda and Acura) with LEV or better emissions performance.

2002
Honda FCX becomes the first fuel-cell vehicle to achieve both US EPA and California Air Resources Board (CARB) certification for regular commercial use.

Honda is the first automaker to deliver a fuel-cell vehicle to a customer: the City of Los Angeles.

The first application of a hybrid technology to an existing mass-market automobile: the 2002 Civic Hybrid.

 


Honda wins INDUSTRYWEEK: Technology of the Year, 2002.

2003
Honda begins experiments with hydrogen Home Energy Station (HES) and develops breakthrough hydrogen fuel-cell stack that starts in sub-zero temperatures.

2004
Honda FC Stack-equipped FCX leased to the State of New York. It’s the world’s first delivery of fuel-cell vehicles to a cold-weather region.

Accord Hybrid, the world’s first V6 hybrid, is introduced.

Union of Concerned Scientists names Honda “Greenest Automaker of 2004”

2005
First natural-gas home refueling appliance, Phill, is offered for lease in California along with the Civic GX.

 


Honda Accord Hybrid makes Edmunds.com “Top 10 Most Fuel-Efficient Cars for 2005” list.

Honda Insight tops Edmunds.com list of “Top 10 Most Fuel-Efficient Cars for 2005.”

Honda Insight earns Highest EPA Fuel Economy Rating in 2005.

2006
Second-generation Civic Hybrid, with fourth generation Honda IMA hybrid technology and 50-mpg estimated highway fuel economy, is introduced in America.

Honda introduces the FCX Concept, a precursor to Honda's FCX Clarity, at the 2006 North American International Auto Show.

 


2006 Accord Hybrid Sedan wins Kiplinger's Best Fuel Economy in the $30,000-$45,000 category.

2006 Insight garners Best Fuel Economy honors from Kiplinger's.

Civic Hybrid is third on the Edmunds.com list of "Top 10 Most Fuel-Efficient Cars for 2006."

2007
Union of Concerned Scientists reaffirms Honda’s status as America’s Greenest Automaker for the fourth consecutive time.

Honda maintains its status as America’s most fuel-efficient car company, with the highest model year (2006) corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) of full-line automaker.

The Honda FCX Clarity-featuring advanced driving performance, comfort and environmental performance in an elegant, futuristic design-makes its world debut at the Los Angeles International Auto Show.

Civic Hybrid and Fit make the Edmunds.com list of "Top 10 Most Fuel-Efficient Cars for 2007."

2008
FCX Clarity available for lease to select Southern California drivers.

2008 Civic GX named “America’s Greenest Car” by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE).

Future
Only time will tell, but history has proven that Honda has always been the leader in environmental strides within the automotive industry, and with their strong commitment to the effort, the sky’s the limit!

 

*courtesy of Honda Corporate. Abbreviated.