2012 Honda Civic Natural Gas Retains CA HOV Lane Access Until 2015

Hybrid cars have recently lost their right to travel in carpool lanes in California, with that now being reserved for plug-in hybrids, fully electric cars and compressed natural gas vehicles, such as the current CNG-powered Civic and all-new Civic Natural Gas that is set to go on sale this fall.

The 2012 Civic Natural Gas will thus be able to join the lane populated by vehicles carrying two passengers or more. This privilege to drive on the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) highway lane will continue until January 2014, Honda conformed today. The Civic Natural Gas qualifies for White Clean Air Vehicle decals, which are available in an unlimited quantity.

"Civic GX drivers in California have long enjoyed the benefits of driving a compressed natural gas vehicle, whether it was saving time commuting in the carpool lane, paying lower fuel prices, reducing dependence on oil or reducing their CO2 footprint," said Elmer Hardy, senior manager of alternative fuel marketing at American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "With the all-new model coming this fall, drivers will continue to earn these benefits along with additional commuter-friendly features."

Drivers of compressed natural gas vehicles enjoy a growing public station network. In fact, California has the most robust compressed natural gas infrastructure in the nation, with over 110 public stations located throughout the state.

“From a value standpoint, when purchased at public fueling stations, natural gas historically has cost about 30-percent less per gasoline-gallon-equivalent (GGE) compared to gasoline,” Honda explains in a statement for the press.