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| Initiatives & Awards Honda's three decades of environmental leadership are good for the environment, good for society and good for business. And we have the awards to prove it. Hydrogen Home Energy Station Honda has established an experimental Home Energy Station (HES) that generates hydrogen from natural gas for use in fuel cell vehicles while supplying electricity and hot water to the home. The new HES system that has been jointly developed with strategic fuel cell partner Plug Power (NASDAQ: PLUG) is located on the grounds of Honda R&D Americas in Torrance, California, and is intended to demonstrate and evaluate hydrogen production, storage and fueling as part of ongoing research into hydrogen energy sources.. The new HES system, which can currently produce enough hydrogen to refill the tank of a Honda FCX hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, taking just a few minutes once a day, consists of the following major processes and components:
Honda has long held the view that hydrogen fuel cell power has the potential to be the next-generation power plant needed to challenge problems related to the development of alternative fuels, reducing exhaust gas emissions and reducing the effects of global warming. Honda is researching ways to improve the energy efficiency of the hydrogen fuel production process and vehicle efficiency.  Honda Engineering, a Honda subsidiary, has developed next-generation solar cell panels that feature a light-absorbing layer formed by a compound made of copper, indium, gallium and selenium (CIGS), which lowers the amount of electricity required for production of solar cells, compared with ordinary silicone-crystal type solar cells. The electrolysis unit, which generates hydrogen from water, is a new Honda-developed compact unit that achieves higher efficiency using a new ruthenium-based catalyst. Both the new solar cells and the new electrolysis unit are mounted on the Honda solar-cell-powered hydrogen refueling station in Torrance, California. The result is increased efficiency in producing hydrogen from renewable energy. Green Factories All major Honda plants worldwide already meet the toughest international environmental management standards (ISO 14001), covering a host of environmental areas, such as waste disposal, water treatment and energy use. But at Honda, we're too busy to rest on our laurels, even though we have an advanced degree in the three R's: REDUCE: When it comes to improving our operations, Honda listens to the people who know best—our own employees. Honda associates have provided many of the recommendations now in place that have helped reduce up to 58 percent of our waste. REUSE: Raw materials used in Honda's manufacturing process are not just sent to landfills—they are reused in the most efficient ways possible. For example, leftover raw steel from stamping is used for engine and brake components. RECYCLE: Recycling improves our bottom line while healing the skyline. Honda has annually received up to $1.2 million in revenue from recycling paper, cardboard and plastic from Honda facilities. We have also focused on the use of returnable shipping containers and the development of emissions-reducing door- and truck-sealer materials. On-site solar panels are another step in monitoring natural gas usage and well-water levels. Environmental Awards for Honda Vehicles in North America "An idea is nothing if it isn't put into action immediately... that is what makes for progress." The philosophy of Honda's founder, Soichiro Honda, drives our associates to make The Power of Dreams into a daily reality at Honda. The awards? Sure, they're flattering. We just think it's nice to know there are many others out there who are as concerned about saving the planet as we are. Greenest Vehicle  In a clear demonstration of Honda's enduring role as an environmental leader, four Honda vehicles have earned recognition from the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) as the "greenest vehicles" of 2006. In their 9th annual Green Book: The Environmental Guide to Cars and Trucks ranking of environmentally responsible vehicles, two Honda models tied for the top spot on its list of "Greenest Vehicles of 2006:" the natural gas-powered Civic GX and the Insight hybrid. Honda Civic and Civic Hybrid were also among the top twelve greenest vehicles of the year. This is the sixth year in a row that a Honda vehicle receives the number one ranking in this study and the fifth consecutive year that Honda vehicles hold at least four positions in the top twelve. Union of Concerned Scientists Name Honda 2004 'Greenest Automaker' American Honda Motor Co. was recognized by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) as the 2004 Greenest Automaker in the organization's biennial ranking of car manufacturers' environmental performance. It's the third consecutive number one ranking of Honda in the UCS study. Compared with the UCS's 2002 findings, Honda actually increased its lead over other automakers in reducing both greenhouse gas and tailpipe emissions across the full range of its product lineup. Union of Concerned Scientists Names Honda 2007 "Greenest Automaker" Honda has earned the title of America's "2007 Greenest Automaker" from the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) for the fourth consecutive time. The UCS gives this award on a biennial basis to the company with the lowest overall production of smog-forming emissions and global-warming emissions (primarily CO2) in its U.S. automobile fleet. "Honda remains the greenest U.S. automaker. The company installs clean technology across its entire fleet of cars and trucks and that consistency makes it a top environmental performer," said Don MacKenzie, a vehicles engineer with the Union of Concerned Scientists. Additional Awards: Consumer Reports: Top Pick Driving Green, 2003, 2004, 2005 INDUSTRYWEEK: Technology of the Year, 2002 MotorWeek Driver's Choice Awards: Best Eco-Friendly Vehicle Washington Automotive Press Association: John A. Lynker Memorial Award for Excellence in Responsible Engineering Accord Hybrid makes Edmunds.com "Top 10 Most Fuel-Efficient Cars for 2005" list 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 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 2008 Civic GX is named "America's Greenest Car" by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) Civic Hybrid is third on the Edmunds.com list of "Top 10 Most Fuel-Efficient Cars for 2006 Civic Hybrid and Fit make the Edmunds.com list of "Top 10 Most Fuel-Efficient Cars for 2007 | |
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