DETROIT – Honda Motor Co. said Tuesday that it will cut the global carbon dioxide emissions from the vehicles it makes by 20 per cent by the end of this decade.
The company said in its annual environmental report that it was setting the goal to address climate change and energy issues. The cut is based on 2000 emissions levels.
Spokesman Ed Miller said the cuts will come mainly by increasing gas mileage across the Honda model lineup. The company set a goal of cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 30 per cent from 2000 to 2020, and it already has cut about 10 per cent by raising fleet-wide gas mileage from 29.8 mpg (12.6 kilometres per litre) in 2000 to the current 31.5 mpg (13.4 kpl), Miller said.
Honda also said it will strengthen efforts to cut emissions from other corporate activities including vehicle and parts production.
The company wouldn’t say if it will expand the number of gas-electric hybrid vehicles from the two that it currently sells in the U.S., the hybrid Civic and the Insight. But Miller said electric and hybrid vehicles “will be in the mix.”
Carbon dioxide is the main greenhouse gas blamed for global warming.
U.S. government regulations already require automakers to boost the fleet average to 35.5 mpg (15 kpl) by 2016, an increase of more than 40 per cent over current requirements. And the government is considering a standard of 47 mpg (20 kpl) to 62 mpg (26 kpl) by 2025.
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