Honda Offers Fuel Card to Civic CNG Buyers

Honda Motor Co. is giving prepaid fuel cards worth $3,000 to U.S. buyers of its 2012 Civic natural gas sedan.

The incentive provides enough compressed natural gas to drive about 32,000 miles.

CNG sells in the U.S. for the gasoline energy equivalent of about $2 per gallon. But current prices are closer to $2.90 at the Clean Energy Fuels retailers that honor the Honda fuel card.

The Civic CNG model is priced at $27,000 compared with about $20,000 for a comparable gasoline-powered Civic. Honda markets the natural gas model rated at 38 mpg on the highway in 36 states. The car, which is powered by a 1.8-liter engine that produces 110 hp, has a range of about 240 miles per tank.

Honda has been selling CNG-powered Civics to fleet customers in America for 14 years. It recently began marketing the car to individuals in western states and has added more mainstream features such as satellite radio and navigation system.

Last year the company said it aims to sell 2,000 CNG Civics this year but hopes to eventually double that volume.