Sometimes an end run is needed for success, while other times a bold step forward is what it takes. Here, it's appropriate to point to Honda's efforts as it prepares to introduce its natural gas Honda's Civic GX to new car showrooms later this year. The GX has proven itself a worthy fleet vehicle over the past five years, and now Honda is taking the bold step of marketing this alternative fuel vehicle to consumers
with a twist. Available with the Civic GX is a home refueling unit called "Phill," a fueling appliance priced under $2,000 that allows a GX owner to conveniently refuel his vehicle overnight at home.
While this refueling method may work for natural gas vehicles since most homes have natural gas service, not all alternative fuels are this convenient. Infrastructure development remains a critical component in making alternative fuel vehicles a long-term success.
Amidst the slow progression toward widespread alternative fuel use, there are some bright spots. One of these is the Regional Transportation Center (RTC) in San Diego, Calif., which features a one-of-a-kind fuel depot that aims to handle the needs of both conventional and alternative fuel vehicles. This facility offers compressed natural gas, LPG, ethanol E85, biodiesel and electricity, along with three standard grades of gasoline and low-sulfur diesel fuel for flexible-fuel and conventional vehicles.
Fuels are dispensed from eight-foot-tall, futuristic-looking Eclipse pumps by white-gloved attendants at no additional charge. The RTC facility is open seven days a week and accepts all major credit and debit cards, as well as cash. An alternative fuel vehicle showroom, AFV rental/demo center and AFV repair facility are also on-site to make this a full-service facility.
Clearly, if the auto industry and government agencies wish to make a statement that alternative fuels and the vehicles that run on them are to be an integral part of our future, this is the way to do it. Here's hoping that others look at RTC as an example of how to create a pathway to bringing alternative fuels to the mass market.