The Civic hybrid offers a look and feel parallel to that of the conventional Honda Civic with all the standard features. In fact it drives just like the conventional hybrids but with one significant difference; a fuel savings up to 30% better while simultaneously meeting ultra low emissions vehicle standards. The Civic Hybrid’s combined power sources of gasoline and electric power allow the vehicle to reach up to 650 miles on a single tank of gas with 50-80% fewer emissions. Compared with the conventional Civic the Hybrid averages 10 miles more per gallon.

The Civic Hybrid uses an Integrated Motor Assist (IMA), which combines a Dual and Sequential Ignition (DSI) with a gasoline engine and electric motor to raise the vehicle’s fuel economy and achieve greater performance. The IMA system allows the use of a smaller sized gasoline engine without sacrificing performance. The IMA system is completely automated that instantly adjusts itself to driving conditions ensuring that the vehicle is always operating at its greatest level of power and fuel efficiency.

Combustion processes are controlled using DSI technology through the use of two spark plugs per cylinder that ignite as much fuel and air as possible. This allows for more complete combustion and a reduction on exhaust emissions and greater power.

The dashboard of the Civic hybrid features display gauges that show the battery packs energy level. Other features include a trip computer that records mileage traveled and fuel economy.

The Environmental Defense has conducted this comparison of the gasoline electric Hybrid Honda Civic with the Conventional Honda Civic for 2003 model cars.

	Fuel* (estimated per year)	Vehicle emissions (estimated, per year in pounds)
	Con- sumption	Carbon dioxide	Carbon monoxide	Nitrogen oxides	Hydro- carbons
2003 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID (47.7 mpg, SULEV) 12,500 miles/year	263 gal	5,089 lb	79.9 lb	0.8 lb	0.8 lb
2003 HONDA CIVIC (33.8 mpg, ULEV) 12,500 miles/year	370 gal	7,176 lb	135 lb	7.4 lb	3 lb