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The Honda Civic Hybrid is one of the most popular of all of the hybrids on the market today. As a consequence, Honda has built on the already solid reputation of the vehicle as it brings the 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid onto the market.

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This article takes a look at the different ways people view a news event based on the impact of their culture. Using ethanol and corn as a basis for awareness, the article provokes our thoughts as to why cultures clash.

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The compact car market place can sadly seem like the land that style forgot. Many vehicles in this segment represent the most basic of point A to point B style transportation, as buyers are frequently looking more for value than they are for excitement.

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Honda Soltec Begins Sales of Thin Film Solar Cells

TOKYO, Japan, June 12, 2007–Honda Soltec Co., Ltd., Honda’s wholly-owned solar cell subsidiary, has begun sales of thin film solar cells produced by Honda Engineering Co., Ltd., primarily in the Kanto area, Japan, through distributors which also provide solar cell installation service.

Honda Engineering Thin Film Solar Cell Module

The thin film solar cell developed independently by Honda uses thin film made from a compound of copper, indium, gallium and selenium (CIGS), which makes the solar cell more environmentally-responsible by focusing on the reduction of CO2 generated even during the production stage.

Starting from this fall, Honda Soltec will mass produce solar cells at the new plant with annual capacity of 27.5 megawatts, resulting in the expansion of sales throughout Japan.

In 2006, Honda announced a global CO2 reduction target for its products and the manufacturing of those products. In addition to its effort to reduce CO2 emissions, Honda is focusing on the development and sales of energy-creation products such as cogeneration units and thin film solar cells in order to further accelerate its efforts to reduce the threat of global warming.

Solar Cell Module Specifications: Type: CIGS (copper, indium, gallium and selenium) Maximum Output per module (W): 125* Size (mm): 1,417 × 791 × 37 Wight (kg): 14.3 Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price: 60,375 yen (tax-inclusive price) (price exclusive of tax: 57,500 yen)

• This figure for the maximum output was measured by Honda under the conditions of AM1.5, solar radiation intensity of 1kW/m2, and module temperature of 25 degrees Celsius.
• Operating ambient temperature range: 40 to -20 degrees Celsius.
• The maximum output will differ depending on solar radiation intensity, installation conditions (direction, angle, surrounding environment), geographical area, and temperature conditions. 06.

About Honda Soltec Co., Ltd.: Establishment: December 1, 2006 Headquarters Location: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Kumamoto Factory 1500 Hirakawa, Ozu-machi, Kikuchi-gun, Kumamoto Sales Office Location: Wako-shi, Saitama Capital Investment: 4 billion yen Capitalization ratio: 100% Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Representative: Akio Kazusa Employment: Approximately 150 associates (at full production) Production Capacity Approximately 27.5MW (approx. for 9,000 houses with 3kW system)

Honda Soltec (to begin operation this fall)

Energy Tags: energy resources, energy

Honda has been getting its new hydrogen fuel cell test car out on the track and letting the press take a spin. On November 14th they ran the car around Laguna Seca racetrack near Monterey, CA. Here is an excerpt from their release on these test runs:

Honda Demonstrates the FCX Concept Vehicle - Fully functional Next-Generation Fuel Cell makes its driving debut - Watch The Video

September 25, 2006–Honda Motor Co., Ltd. held a demonstration drive of the next-generation FCX Concept fuel cell vehicle. The FCX Concept features a newly developed compact, high-efficiency Honda FC Stack as well as a low-floor, low-riding, short-nose body. It offers a comfortably large cabin and futuristic styling along with significant improvements in power output and environmental performance. Limited marketing of a totally new fuel cell vehicle based on this concept model is to begin in 2008 in Japan and the U.S. To meet Honda objectives for significant gains in both environmental and driving performance, the FCX Concept is equipped with a V Flow1 fuel cell platform consisting of a compact, high-efficiency fuel cell stack arranged in an innovative center-tunnel layout. This has allowed designers to create an elegant, low-riding, sedan form that would have been difficult to achieve in a conventional fuel cell vehicle. This new fuel cell stack is 20% smaller and 30% lighter than the current FCX FC Stack, yet its power output is 14kW greater. The drive motor has been positioned coaxially with the gearbox for a more compact design, with output increased by 15kW. Overall, the power plant is about 180kg lighter than that of the current FCX and about 40% smaller in volume. The result is improved energy efficiency and performance along with a more spacious interior. The new fuel cell vehicle currently under development for release in 2008, will feature the principle technologies of the FCX Concept to achieve a new dimension in environmentally friendly driving pleasure not found with gasoline-engine vehicles.

The test car that ran at Laguna Seca was a dark red futuristic looking sedan. According to the reporters on scene the car, reported to be worth 2 million dollars, ran smoothly, had good accelration for a sedan, was quiet, roomy, and has a low center of gravity.

"This is the first purpose-built fuel cell vehicle to be put on the road in the hands of retail customers," said Stephen Ellis, fuel cell marketing manager for American Honda Motor Co. "It's not a car that is remade from some other platform."

Read the rest of the report on this test drive

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles