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The Accord Hybrid boasts an estimated EPA fuel economy rating of 29 mpg city/37 highway; by comparison, the Accord EX V-6 Sedan achieves an estimated EPA-rated 21 city/30 highway. Honda is able to achieve these gains in efficiency through its Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system which features new Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) technology. VCM deactivates the V-6 engine’s rear bank of three cylinders while cruising at steady speeds when less power is required. Other advanced technologies also are playing a role in keeping the fuel economy of the Accord Hybrid high while simultaneously allowing the vehicle to be more powerful that the regular Accord V-6 sedan (255 hp versus 240 hp). The vehicle’s idle stop function shuts off the engine when the car is stopped to conserve fuel and reduce emissions. A hybrid air conditioning compressor runs on both the gasoline and IMA battery to provide air conditioning even when the engine is stopped. Lightweight aluminum materials are used in the hood, rear suspension and bumpers, and the size and weight of the nickel-metal hydride batteries have been reduced by 10% and 17% respectively.
The Alliance to Save Energy applauds Honda for making significant strides in vehicle fuel efficiency. |
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US consumers will have another hybrid electric vehicle option to choose from with the December 3 introduction of the Honda Accord Hybrid. Gail Hendrickson, the Alliance’s Director of Transportation, was lucky enough to get a preview of this fuel efficient and powerful vehicle when Scott Gerke, the Manager of Federal Affairs at American Honda Motor Company, handed over the car keys. The Hybrid Accord is Honda’s third hybrid electric vehicle, and the world’s first V-6-powered gasoline electric hybrid vehicle. 
Honda expects to sell more than 20,000 Hybrid Accords in 2005, which will sell for approximately $30,000. Production of the Accord Hybrid will take place at their Sayama, Japan factory. Honda was the first automobile manufacturer to introduce hybrid vehicles into the US market with the introduction of the Honda Insight in December, 1999. This was followed by the Civic Hybrid in March, 2002. Honda has sold approximately 66,000 hybrids since introduction in the U.S, and the company expects to sell more than 45,000 hybrids in 2005.