1/15/2012 - Earlier today Nathan Bomey of Free Press Business wrote that, “The Chevrolet Volt’s legacy added a new dimension today as General Motors revealed the Cadillac ELR, which is based on Volt’s powertrain, at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
The ELR is the first luxury electric coupe in GM’s lineup and it’s positioned to fight for customers with California start-up Tesla Motors, which has promised to sell 20,000 to 30,000 EVs in 2013.
The car rolled onto the stage at the North American International Auto Show. Bob Ferguson, GM’s new vice president for global Cadillac, said the vehicle would be “manufactured in a limited number” and exported “only to the largest global markets, including China and Europe.”
But are electric vehicles the answer? Well, it depends on a number of things including who the end user is and of course, the cost of these alternative-fuel vehicles just to name a few.
For the consumer, Honda manufactures the Civic Natural Gas which runs on compressed natural gas (CNG) and they have also gone as far as partnering with Clean Energy (Nasdaq:CLNE) to offer a $3,000 pre-loaded CNG fuel card for use at Clean Energy CNG stations, America’s largest owner of public CNG stations. This special promotion has been extended until March 31, 2013.
In Best Car Blogs, Colin Aylesworth’s article titled, “Honda Civic Natural Gas Named 2012 Green Car of the Year” he notes, “The 2012 Civic Natural Gas … runs on a clean fuel that is almost exclusively domestically sourced and typically priced about 30 percent less than gasoline,” writes Green Car Journal. It is also “the cleanest running internal combustion vehicle certified by the EPA.”
Honda says that it is increasing its network of dealerships that will sell the Civic Natural Gas “to 200 dealers in 36 states,” which is an increase from only four states that currently sell it.
According to Honda, the 2012 Civic Natural Gas gets an estimated 27/38 mpg city/highway. Honda estimates the car has a range of 190 miles. Green Car Journal says that refueling the Civic Natural Gas should take about five minutes at stations that sell the fuel. The 2012 Honda Civic Natural Gas starts at $26,155 and CNG prices are generally $1.00 to $1.50 per gallon less than gasoline.
How to use your $3,000 CNG fuel card:
1)You will be sent the $3,000 Clean Energy Fuel Card upon receipt of a completed application from your Honda dealer.
2) Locate your local Clean Energy CNG fueling station at www.cnglngstations.com.
3) Redeem by swiping your savings card at the CNG fueling station.
The Civic Natural Gas is allowed to use HOV (carpool) lanes in many states, including California, when displaying an HOV decal on their vehicle. Civic Natural Gas drivers in California can obtain their decal by applying through the California Department of Motor Vehicles. Check with your state’s motor vehicle department for HOV requirments and additional carpool information.
You should also visit the Alternative Fuels & Advance Vehicles Data Center to learn about various state and federal incentives. And, of course, you’re always welcome to contact your local Honda dealer of additional information.
For the Clean Energy/Honda Natural Gas Promotion in the New York City area, Michael K. Orgera can be reached via email at morgera@cleanenergyfuels.com or (347) 782-1723.