How Honda Rocks the Environmentalism Movement

Honda just launched a new website highlighting their commitment to the environment.  In honor of this recent development, here are a few things that you may not have known about Honda's history of going green.

The 1975 Civic CVCC was the first vehicle to pass the emissions requirement of the landmark Clean Air Act without using a catalytic converter.

Honda has trademarked its Drive-by-Wire throttle system.  Essentially, high-tech electronics take the place of a physical throttle cable to ensure faster response rates and higher fuel economy.

Honda was the first manufacturer to offer Ultra-Low-Emission Vehicles-rated emission technology (ULEV in tech parlance) on a production vehicle.  Additionally, the 2008 Accord is the first vehicle where both the 4-cylinder model and the V-6 meet the new Partial-Zero-Emission Vehicle (PZEV) standards, which are even more strict.

The FCX Clarity, which we have blogged on before, and which Business Week's Car Connection calls "a  futuristic jellybean," is a ZERO-EMISSION hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle.  It will be available for lease to certain Southern California customers this summer.  The general public will have to wait for hydrogen filling stations to develop in their area before getting a chance to lease the FCX.

Finally, click here to meet ASIMO.  He is a robot and not green, per se, but so incredibly cool that you just know that the company behind its creation is capable of amazing things.  Built by Honda scientists and engineers, ASIMO uses such advance technology, he will be conducting the introduction of a special performance of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra next week.