Imagine being able to snooze a little longer, skip a stop at the gas station, and still leave the driveway with a perfectly full tank of gas. And what if we told you that this gas only cost $1 per gallon? Sounds crazy, right? But people who own the natural gas-powered Honda Civic GX and its "Phill" refueling tank are living that life. Moreover, they're reaping VIP privileges unbeknownst to the general driving public — tax breaks, solo access to California's high-occupancy vehicle lanes and a clear environmental conscience.
While natural gas has played a silent second to the hybrid buzz in alternatives to all-gasoline cars, enthusiastic owners make a positive case for their eco-friendly cars. The Honda Civic GX sedan is the only car available to consumers that operates entirely using natural gas. Available in select California dealerships since June 2005 for a sticker price of $21,425, the 2005 Civic GX received the cleanest emissions ratings from the EPA and a 2004 award as "America's Greenest Car" from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. The 2006 Civic GX, based on the all-new Civic sedan, will be introduced in January but will still only be available in California.