Yellow Cab Company drives green

The Honda Civic GX, a dedicated natural gas vehicle, has the lowest emissions of any internal combustion engine vehicle ever tested by the government, according to Honda Motor Co.

March 8, 1999
Web posted at: 11:40 AM EST

When Marco Henry's 10-year-old daughter told him that "we all need to do our part to save the environment," he listened.

Henry, president and CEO of Yellow Cab Company in Bloomfield, Conn., has made a drastic change in his fleet of taxicabs. This year, the company purchased 31 Honda Civic GXs, powered by clean-burning compressed natural gas.

The 100-year-old taxicab company began its move to become more environmentally friendly in October 1998 when it purchased six GXs from Manchester Honda in Manchester, Conn. Drivers and passengers responded favorably, so the taxi service decided to add 25 more natural gas-powered Civics. With this purchase, one-third of the company's total fleet is now comprised of alternative-fuel vehicles.

"My daughter, Chantal, was right when she said that we all need to do our part to save the environment," said Henry. "So, I became determined to find a way for my company to help and when I learned that these 31 Civic GX vehicles combined emit fewer pollutants than one gasoline-powered taxicab, it was clear they were the perfect solution."

The Honda Civic GX, a dedicated natural gas vehicle, has the lowest emissions of any internal combustion engine vehicle ever tested by the government, according to Honda Motor Co.

"These Civics are not only better for the environment, but they also provide reduced operational costs and greater fuel economy than the cabs they replaced," said Craig Peters, assistant sales manager and administrator of natural gas vehicle sales at Manchester Honda.

The local utility, Connecticut Natural Gas, is providing the fuel infrastructure, and the Capital Clean Cities Coalition was instrumental in coordinating the alternative-fuel vehicle purchase.

The Civic GX, assembled in East Liberty, Ohio, features four-passenger seating, air conditioning, power windows and door locks.

For more information, contact Jennifer Garber, Honda Motor Co., (212)355-9191.

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