New York State Buys 50 Natural Gas-Powered Honda Civic GXs
3 December 1998
New York State Buys 50 Natural Gas-Powered Honda Civic GXs For Alternate-Fuel FleetTORRANCE, Calif., Dec. 3 -- The state of New York has purchased 50 Honda Civic GX natural gas (CNG)-powered cars, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today. The purchase was made by the state in part to improve air quality for its citizens and satisfy their obligation for alternate-fuel fleet vehicles under the United States Department of Energy's Energy Policy Act (EPACT). Bay Ridge Honda, located in the New York City borough of Brooklyn, was awarded the bid, and has begun delivering the vehicles. In a pilot program conducted prior to the purchase, Civic GX models were evaluated by New York Department of Transportation employees. According to Paul Butler, procurement manager for the state of New York Department of General Services, the cars in the pilot program exceeded expectations. "Because of our initial positive experience with the Civic GX, we've decided to expand our alternate-fuel fleet," Butler said. "The Civic GX performs well, and maintenance costs are lower overall than for gas-powered cars. Best of all, the Civic GX has been certified as an ultra low emission vehicle." Under EPACT, each state is given a goal for the ratio of alternate-fuel vehicles purchased in their annual procurements. The purchase of these 50 Civics will help the state of New York exceed its calculated obligation for 1998. "We're proud to be helping the state build its alternate-fuel fleet," said Bob Sabbagh, dealer principal of Bay Ridge Honda. "The Civic GX also provides a good start for many municipal fleets to attain their EPACT goal." "The Honda Civic GX has the lowest emissions of any vehicle with an internal combustion engine ever certified by the government," said Steve Ellis, manager of natural gas vehicle sales and marketing at American Honda. "New York State's purchase of 50 Honda Civic GX cars demonstrates the market acceptance of this car as well as the existence of a viable natural gas fuel infrastructure." The Honda of America Manufacturing plant in East Liberty, Ohio is the sole production facility for the natural-gas powered Honda Civic GX.