Environment

Today's Civic Hybrid represents the very latest in our commitment to positive environmental change.

Right Where It Helps
You'll feel the benefits of the refined gasoline-electric powertrain on the Civic Hybrid right there in your wallet at fill-up time. And with an EPA-estimated city/highway rating of 40 city/45 hwy mpg,* you won't have to stop for quite a while.

Wow
Mile after mile, you get to enjoy the thoroughly modern style, comfort and convenience of a Honda Civic. The Civic Hybrid is living proof that environmentalism and style can go hand in hand.

Air Apparent
The air also benefits with the Advanced Technology Partial-Zero-Emission Vehicle (AT-PZEV) rating, which is the most stringent emission standard achieved by a gasoline-powered vehicle in the U.S.

* Based on 2008 EPA mileage estimates, reflecting new EPA fuel economy methods beginning with 2008 models. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.

†AT-PZEV rated by California Air Resources Board (CARB).

Environment Features

• Advanced Technology Partial Zero-Emission Vehicle (AT-PZEV)† To achieve Advanced Technology Partial Zero-Emission Vehicle (AT-PZEV) status, a vehicle must be a Super-Ultra-Low-Emission Vehicle (SULEV) with zero-evaporative emissions and carry a 15-year/150,000-mile warranty on emissions equipment. Every 2008 Civic Hybrid has a plastic-resin fuel tank that helps control evaporative emissions, keeping them to near-zero levels.
• 1.3-Liter, 8-Valve, i-VTEC 4-Cylinder Engine The Civic Hybrid features a highly efficient, 1.3-liter, 8-valve, i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine and DC brushless electric motor.
• Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) Every 2008 Civic Hybrid is equipped with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Similar to an automatic transmission, CVT is an advanced transmission that substitutes the gears found in more traditional transmissions and replaces them with a metal push-belt running between a pair of variable-width pulleys. Combined with the Drive-by-Wire™ throttle system, the CVT constantly adjusts to provide the most efficient drive ratio possible depending on torque load. Honda CVTs provide better fuel economy* and acceleration when compared to a conventional transmission.
• Integrated Motor Assist IMA® IMA couples a 1.3-liter, 8-valve, i-VTEC® 4-cylinder gasoline engine with an electric motor. Although the engine alone provides sufficient driving performance, when additional power is required, a permanent-magnet electric motor mounted between the engine and transmission provides power assist. The electric motor can propel the car from a stop to speeds up to 35 mph. Together, the motor and engine produce 110 hp @ 6000 rpm.
• Drive-by-Wire™ Throttle System Instead of a mechanical linkage from the accelerator to the fuel-injection throttle, the Civic Hybrid uses "Drive-by-Wire" technology. The system uses an electronic position sensor connected to the accelerator pedal that sends an electronic signal to the powertrain control module.

Aticle by http://automobiles.honda.com/civic-hybrid/environment.aspx