How do you figure $2.40 / GGE for CNG? Even Clean Energy isn't priced that much, and Clean Energy is usually $0.60 higher than the rest. SoCal Gas is still in the $1.50s.
You guys have some of the facts right but you need to rethink the "battery Problem", the battery packs in the hybrids are charged and discharged well within the 60%-80% limits, and therefore do not suffer outgassing or chemical breakdown, and will last indefinitly. Those packs will outlast the ICE.
Nope, it's for individuals too. Page 46, middle colum states: "Deduction for nonbusiness clean-fuel vehicle property by individuals. Individuals can claim the deduction for clean-fuel vehicle property used for nonbusiness purposes by including the deduction in the total on line 35 of Form 1040. Also, enter the amount of your deduction and "Clean Fuel" on the dotted line next to line 35. If you use the vehicle partly for business, see the next two discussions."
The hybrid's use NiMH battery chemistry, which is generally good for 1000 cycles. I would expect the batteries to outlast the 100,000 mi. warranty, but they will eventually need replacing. As far as outlasting the ICE, which parts? The transmission? Probably not.
The 1000 cycles applies if you run the chemistry to its limits, ie. you charge until the voltage peak exibits the dip associatied with "full", and discharge to 1.0volts at load. The packs in the hybrid are managed to never go below 60% charge (1.155 volts at load), and then they are charged to the 80% level (somewhere around 1.185 volts at load). In other words they are pampered... They will (on the average) never go bad. The electronics will fail, or the engine itself will fail before the average battery pack, not to say that all packs will not fail, I am sure some will, but very few.
That may be for the Prius. But, the point is the same -- do not let the pack go to the far edge of the charge curve, as that is the point on the curve when the pack starts to sustain damage. When you approch 0% remaining charge (i.e. 1.0 VDC per cell, not Zero Volts - Zero Charge) the chemistry on the anode and cathode regions start to deriorate. When you approch full charge (1.2 Volts DC on load or 1.45 volts open ckt) the chemistry starts to outgas and too much of the electrolite bcomes H2O vapor and leaves the cell. By avoiding the extremes the battery pack will operate indefinitly. Consumer batteries (i.e. the AA NMiH batteries you use in a camera and pop into your charger at home are good for 1000 cycles, maybe, as they are exercised to the extreme limit of the charge curve. Folks run their MP3 player or camera until the thing quits and then charge the battery until the charger says full. That is NOT THE WAY the batteries are treated in a hybid vehicle. And, thats why the manufacturer (both car and battery) will give you a 80 month/80,000mile warrenty without blinking an eye.
And, thats why the manufacturer (both car and battery) will give you a 80 month/80,000mile warranty without blinking an eye.
I agreed with you up to the last statement. The manufacturers give that warranty because it is mandated by the EPA. CA is even stricter with a 10 year 150k mile mandate. That is because the battery is an integral part ot the emissions system and gives them the AT-PZEV rating. 8-10 years is a long time and it will be interesting if they have to replace many batteries under that law.
True the EPA requires it, but if the warrenty was a bad deal for the Auto Manuf folks do you think they would sell the car? If I was doing the statistical math for the mean time between failures on the battery systems and came out with something less than 10 years, and knew that it would cost me 3K per pop on replacing the battery, I would not be selling the car, period. I know it is a nice feather in Honda/Toyota's cap to have high MPG cars in their fleets, but they still are running a business and must still make a profit. I check the national postings for complaints and have found nothing for failed hybid batterys and cars have been using them for many years. I know that in the navy, we used many large battery packs for years and years without failures by using the "don't over charge or over drain" plan.
I agree with you. The batteries you used in the Navy were more than likely Lead Acid. We have 20 year old strings of batteries in the phone business. They are on float most of the time. Mainly used to keep a nice clean DC voltage & for loss of commercial power. I don't think the mileage will be as telling as the time with the hybrid batteries. They may do fine for 10 years. I am just thinking about the extremes in temperature and the aging process itself. I do think it was a calculated gamble on the part of the manufacturers. That is what warranties are all about. They try to make them however long they expect something to last.
Am looking for information on aftermarket parts installed on Honda GX NGV. Am considering underdrive pulleys, cold air intake, headers, and exhaust. Any recommendations? Am looking for better performance and improved mileage. Any international links as Brazil and Argentina have set up infrastructure and are selling more NGVs due to high prices of gasoline.
Since there's isn't a specific Contour/Cavalier CNG topic, I've moved the run of posts on those vehicles over to the Natural Gas fueled vehicles discussion and you may continue there.
At the suggestion of a meter man I placed a small (green) sign under the VIN on my dashboard which reads, "PLEASE DO NOT TICKET/THIS IS A NATURAL GAS VEHICLE." It seems to do the trick.
A reporter is looking to speak with a woman who owns/ drives a natural-gas powered Honda Civic GX. Please reply to jhelperin@edmunds.com if you are interested in being interviewed for this article. Please respond no later than Friday, August 5, 2005
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name. 2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h) Review your vehicle
Mine reads: Please note, if you are issuing a citation for meter expiration that this is a Natural Gas fueled vehicle entitled to free parking at metered spaces.
Anyone have any insight on where I can purchase a Used Honda Civic GX. I would prefer an older car to save $$ (99-02) Anyone have a Civic in this age range and use Phill?
Neither yahoo.com nor autotrader.com used car sections have categories for CNG vehicles and this is a problems for all who are trying to find natural gas vehicles. Cars.com allows those looking for cars to specify search words like CNG or GX. Suggest you try that.
Recently California laws allow certain hybrids in carpool lane with no passengers. It includes Honda Insight, Civic and Toyota Prius. This will certainly congest carpool lanes in CA. CA buyers whose primary purpose is to want to get on carpool might buy those hybrids rather than a GX
The true cost of the Phill is much less. In the LA area, the MSRC (Mobile Source Reduction Review Committee) and the South Coast Air Quality Management District each grant $1,000 toward the installation of the Phill. Also, beginning on Jan 1, 2006 the federal government will give you a $1,000 tax credit on your federal tax return. This is one of the provisions in the recently passed Energy Bill. SoCalGas is also working on a lower gas rate for homeowners who install a Phill. Any rate change requires CA Public Utilities Commission approval so it is not clear how long this will take. Hopefully it will be approved before Jan 1.
That is about 6.4 kilowatts to fill your car or less than 1 dollar in electricity. If you get 200 miles from that fillup it will be less than 1/2 cent per mile. How much natural gas does it take to fill the GX? What is your rate for gas. From what I have calculated using the PHILL unit your cost for driving is less than a dollar per gallon of gasoline equivalence. A pretty good deal with all the perks attached to the GX. With the $3 gas everywhere you lucky guys with the GX & PHILL at home are paying about a third what the rest of us are paying to drive your car. Now if you could just get the PHILL to cool your house while it is filling your car.....
It is often said, in error, that there is no real alternative to the internal combustion engine and petroleum based fuels. Well, take a look at the latest edition of NGV News from the UK Natural Gas Vehicle Association:
The world has loads of natural gas that is no longer stranded due to the world's massive increase of LNG trade and its still being made (bio-gas is a significant and largely untapped resource), this can be used in a very efficient way to provide road transport.
In the latest dual fuel diesel engines - with 90% natural gas, 10% diesel - there is around a 20% reduction in GHG emissions compared to diesel.
With oil at $65/bbl, Middle East countries are joining Germany and France and India and Brazil etc in introducing CNG programmes. For example, makes sense for Iran to export as much oil as possible and burn natural gas for vehicles. As a by product, this will dramaticaly reduce air poluution, as has happened in Delhi (see NGV News page 11)
In the West, Germany is leading in relation to CNG growth, with 800 new CNG filling stations built in last 3 years! Take a look at the new General Motors Zafira that is shortly being launched in Germany. Given the problems with diesel supply, this comes at a great time.
Very interesting. Does it make sense to wait until 2006 to get a Phill to take advantage of the tax credit? How can we get more information about the tax credit?
The Honda Civic GX may be the most provocative car to ply California’s polluted freeways this year. With a new home refueling device, Honda is preparing to expand the GX’s customer base to include more private owners.
I have been trying to find this answer for a while. Will the California DMV provide HOV Access OK stickers to any vehicle that is CNG? The DMV has a list of acceptable CNG vehicles(mostly quite old) and companies that do conversions for selected vehicles, but it does not specify that any vehicle is acceptable. The people I have spoken to at the DMV cannot seem to answer my question.
No, thats not correct. The law in California does not limit access to CNGs that are SULEVs or cleaner. Pre-2005 ULEVs are definitely allowed in the HOV lanes.
Does anyone have or know where to find information on the 2006 model Civic GX? Or I guess I should start by asking if there will even be a 2006 model, or if there will be a delay in getting a GX in the new body style to market (say MY2007).
Furthermore, I wonder if the 2006 (or whatever MY it turns out to be) GX will be available to non-fleet customers outside of Californina. My understand is that the GX has only been available for new purchase to non-fleet customers in California thus far, and even then only since spring of this year.
Other information I am looking for are availability of fueling stations in the Detroit Metropolitan area, and availability of rebates and tax brakes on PHIL that might apply to someone in that area as well.
Finally, has anyone considered trying to finance the cost of PHIL into the price of the car itself? If, suppose, I could work out a very attractive deal on GX (maybe near Invoice) from a small dealership who did not really know what the GX was all about, I would not feel too bad about adding the cost of PHIL back into the loan amount.
EV rental cars at LAX has been selling slightly used GX's for a few years now. They are in pretty good shape and most have a good chunk of their warranty left. Look at http://evrental.com/ResaleVehicles/ to see what they have for sale.
Has anyone else noticed the following? I have a 2001 GX and I suspect the tank does not hold near the 8 gge stated in the manual. I have driven 14 miles into the low fuel light and then filled at one the best stations in socal (Placentia, always 3600+ and cheap too). To my amazement, the car took only 5.6 gge!!! Also, straight highway driving, starting off with a good fill, the longest range I have gotten is 190 miles?! :confuse:
The best range I have gotten is 159 miles in my 2001 GX. That was with a 100% fill at the Seal Beach CNG station. The Fountain Valley CNG station never seems to fill above 80%. that leaves me at about 120 mile average range. That is what prompted me to bite the bullet for a PHILL. 200 mile range and $1.60 a GGE. Hope to have it installed next week.
seeing the way that the new Civic looks ... the GX is gonna look more enticing ..
you think they *Honda* will make the GX to be used for just the sedan platform or do you think they might take a chance and go ahead and use the Coupe's platform as well ...
considering there will be 2 less doors that might leave open some room to work with the tank *hoping that they figured out how to change the shape if possible* ... and maybe even 5/6 speed manual!!!!!!!
Possibly the tank pressure sensor unit is not accurately feeding to the computer that in turn goes to your fuel gage. Maybe HONDA service can check that for you. OR have someone follow you with a truck and tow rope, and run your GX until it quits. Tow to a known good fuel station and see how much it really takes to fill up! On my CNG/GAS car I know when the low fuel light comes on with CNG I have about 10 miles left to go. When it goes empty I note the miles driven as it then switches over to gasoline. No tow required here to find out!
Yeah, it seems my usual station of Long Beach only gives about 150 miles. A little disappointing. Have you got your PHIL hooked up yet? When you do, some details would sure help my decision to get it or not. Let us know!!
Thanks larsb for the link to the Edmunds review. Other GX owners, what do you think of the Edmunds review? It sure sounds like my experience with my 2001 gx (w/45,000 miles). Anybody have experience with gx's with 75,000 - 100,000+ miles? Does everybody know about the civic gx on yahoo groups? Search for civic gx in Google News...Lots of new items. Heard a rumor that the gas company was going to give PHILL owners a flat rate for all their natural gas consumption @ home. I was told that the flat rate $ "should" be very attractive with natural gas rates on the rise this winter. I HAVE MY PHILL... he's not working yet :mad: (thanks gas company).
Does anyone know what the biggest tank that you can add to a 04' GX, and how much is cost? I am New to the CNG world and I drive on average 280 miles a day (R.E. Appraiser) and I NEED more mileage out of me Car.. Help Please.
Also Besides Clean Energy Stations are there other maps of other Stations?
Comments
"Deduction for nonbusiness clean-fuel vehicle property by individuals. Individuals can claim the deduction for clean-fuel vehicle property used for nonbusiness purposes by including the deduction in the total on line 35 of Form 1040. Also, enter the amount of your deduction and "Clean Fuel" on the dotted line next to line 35. If you use the vehicle partly for business, see the next two discussions."
My understanding was the Prius would allow the battery to go to 20% before shutdown or recharging back to 80%.
I agreed with you up to the last statement. The manufacturers give that warranty because it is mandated by the EPA. CA is even stricter with a 10 year 150k mile mandate. That is because the battery is an integral part ot the emissions system and gives them the AT-PZEV rating. 8-10 years is a long time and it will be interesting if they have to replace many batteries under that law.
I check the national postings for complaints and have found nothing for failed hybid batterys and cars have been using them for many years.
I know that in the navy, we used many large battery packs for years and years without failures by using the "don't over charge or over drain" plan.
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
Review your vehicle
Please note, if you are issuing a citation for meter expiration that this is a Natural Gas fueled vehicle entitled to free parking at metered spaces.
Anyone have a Civic in this age range and use Phill?
Thanks
ModernRocketry
My guess is that SoCal is a hotbed for them.
I don't know about the 1999-2002 usage of the PHILL system, sorry.....
Phill: $3400
Gas Sensor: $120 (mandatory for indoor use)
Shipping: $150
Installation: $700-$1500
It is mandatory to have it installed by a Fuelmaker authorized technician...so no DIY jobs.
link title
it takes 800 Watts to run it, so watch out for your electric bill since it could take up to 8 hours to fill!
but i also hoped for side head air bags. i will not buy a car with out'em.
http://www.gasfill.com or send an e-mail to nleecegasfill.com
It is often said, in error, that there is no real alternative to the internal combustion engine and petroleum based fuels. Well, take a look at the latest edition of NGV News from the UK Natural Gas Vehicle Association:
http://www.ngva.co.uk/index/fuseaction/site.articleDetail/con_id/5193
The world has loads of natural gas that is no longer stranded due to the world's massive increase of LNG trade and its still being made (bio-gas is a significant and largely untapped resource), this can be used in a very efficient way to provide road transport.
In the latest dual fuel diesel engines - with 90% natural gas, 10% diesel - there is around a 20% reduction in GHG emissions compared to diesel.
With oil at $65/bbl, Middle East countries are joining Germany and France and India and Brazil etc in introducing CNG programmes. For example, makes sense for Iran to export as much oil as possible and burn natural gas for vehicles. As a by product, this will dramaticaly reduce air poluution, as has happened in Delhi (see NGV News page 11)
In the West, Germany is leading in relation to CNG growth, with 800 new CNG filling stations built in last 3 years! Take a look at the new General Motors Zafira that is shortly being launched in Germany. Given the problems with diesel supply, this comes at a great time.
http://www.ngvglobal.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=291&Itemid=2&lang=en
See New York Times articles:
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/28/automobiles/28AUTO.html?ex=1126152000&en=24311745f9047dd- 5&ei=5070&ex=1125979200&en=c45cf190f9047c9f&ei=5070&emc=eta1
Thanks!
Here are the vehicles that are qualified
HOV Lane approved cars in CA
Furthermore, I wonder if the 2006 (or whatever MY it turns out to be) GX will be available to non-fleet customers outside of Californina. My understand is that the GX has only been available for new purchase to non-fleet customers in California thus far, and even then only since spring of this year.
Other information I am looking for are availability of fueling stations in the Detroit Metropolitan area, and availability of rebates and tax brakes on PHIL that might apply to someone in that area as well.
Finally, has anyone considered trying to finance the cost of PHIL into the price of the car itself? If, suppose, I could work out a very attractive deal on GX (maybe near Invoice) from a small dealership who did not really know what the GX was all about, I would not feel too bad about adding the cost of PHIL back into the loan amount.
That was with a 100% fill at the Seal Beach CNG station.
The Fountain Valley CNG station never seems to fill above 80%.
that leaves me at about 120 mile average range.
That is what prompted me to bite the bullet for a PHILL.
200 mile range and $1.60 a GGE.
Hope to have it installed next week.
you think they *Honda* will make the GX to be used for just the sedan platform or do you think they might take a chance and go ahead and use the Coupe's platform as well ...
considering there will be 2 less doors that might leave open some room to work with the tank *hoping that they figured out how to change the shape if possible* ... and maybe even 5/6 speed manual!!!!!!!
and is there any pictures of what the 06 NGV will look like?
OR have someone follow you with a truck and tow rope, and run your GX until it quits. Tow to a known good fuel station and see how much it really takes to fill up!
On my CNG/GAS car I know when the low fuel light comes on with CNG I have about 10 miles left to go. When it goes empty I note the miles driven as it then switches over to gasoline. No tow required here to find out!
In case anyone has not yet seen it.....:D
Other GX owners, what do you think of the Edmunds review?
It sure sounds like my experience with my 2001 gx (w/45,000 miles).
Anybody have experience with gx's with 75,000 - 100,000+ miles?
Does everybody know about the civic gx on yahoo groups?
Search for civic gx in Google News...Lots of new items.
Heard a rumor that the gas company was going to give PHILL owners
a flat rate for all their natural gas consumption @ home.
I was told that the flat rate $ "should" be very attractive
with natural gas rates on the rise this winter.
I HAVE MY PHILL...
he's not working yet :mad: (thanks gas company).
Also Besides Clean Energy Stations are there other maps of other Stations?