Natural-gas powered Honda Civic GX can stay in California HOV lane

2012 Honda Civic Hybrid

Honda Civic GX drivers are walking around California screaming “IN YOUR FACE” to hybrid drivers as they continue to have access to the high-occupancy-vehicle lane, even if just one person in the car.

On July 1, yellow-stickered partial hybrid vehicles were banned from HOV areas but natural-gas-powered vehicles get to use it for another four years. Hybrids will now have to carry at least 2 people in the vehicle to access the carpool gain.

The Nissan LEAF and the Tesla Roadster will also have access to the HOV lane.

Click here for more news on the Honda Civic.

Obviously, demand for the Honda Civic GX shot up with sales tripling over the same period last year. Owners of no-longer exempt cars flew into dealers in stampedes to snatch up the remaining units, new or used.

Unfortunately, for Honda, and those that love the HOV lane, the 2012 Honda Civic NGV won’t hit dealers until later this fall.

Refresher: The 2012 Honda Civic GX Natural Gas is a CNG-version of the same 1.8L 4-cylinder Honda Civic model. Mated to a 5-speed automatic the Civic GX Natural Gas averages an EPA-estimated fuel-economy rating of 27/38 mpg or 31 mpg combined. The Civic GX includes Honda’s ECO Assist technology. The Civic Natural Gas engine incorporates unique features to operate exclusively on CNG.

– By: Omar Rana

Source: AutoWeek