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Honda Accord and Civic First To Receive Gas-Fueled 50 State LEV Certification

2 April 1998

Honda Accord and Civic First To Receive Gas-Fueled 50 State LEV Certification

    TORRANCE, Calif., April 2 -- Honda Accord and Civic 1998
models are the first gasoline-fueled vehicles to earn 50-state Low Emission
Vehicle (LEV) certification under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's
Clean Fuel Fleet Vehicle (CFFV) provisions, American Honda Motor Co., Inc.,
announced today.
    Previously, fleet operators were faced with a strict requirement to
purchase vehicles under the CFFV program that required reformulated gasoline
or alternative fuels.  Due to limited vehicle choice for fleet owners of
alternative fuel vehicles, the EPA recently relaxed its policy on the in-use
fuel requirement.  As a result, Honda has certified the Accord and Civic as
LEVs with the EPA under its CFFV program. The Accord and Civic models join the
new natural gas-fueled 1998 Civic GX as Honda cars certified as CFFVs.
    "This certification is a further indication that consumers can have an
immediate impact on improving the environment with a variety of fuels," said
Dick Colliver, American Honda executive vice president.
    Honda has been voluntarily selling Accord and Civic LEV models in all 50
states.  More than 190,000 of the '98 model year LEVs have been sold with the
advanced low emission technology.
    "The Accord and Civic gasoline-fueled models will provide more flexibility
for fleet buyers in areas where there is a limited alternative fuel
infrastructure," Colliver said.  "However, the near zero emission Civic GX
remains our primary vehicle for helping fleet buyers meet their CFFV
requirements and helps reduce our nation's dependence on oil."
    In addition to the Accord and Civic LEV models and the Civic GX, Honda is
selling an Accord EX model meeting California's Ultra Low Emission Vehicle
standard in California and certain northeastern states.  Honda also is leasing
the EV PLUS electric vehicle in California -- the first EV to accommodate a
family of four and the first production EV to use advanced nickel-metal
hydride batteries for improved range.

SOURCE  American Honda Motor Co., Inc.