Honda Aims At 30% CO2 Reduction By 2020

Honda has announced that it is aiming at reducing CO2 emissions from its products by 30% over 2000 levels by 2020. Honda had a similar goal of a 10% reduction by 2010, which it achieved on target. Now it is aiming at an additional 20% cut – doubling its rate of reduction.

A major contribution to this goal will come from products like plug-in hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles, the first of which is expected to go on sale in 2012. These next generation vehicles, along with improvements in efficiency of existing ICE engine vehicles represent Honda’s strategy for reaching this goal.

While a cynic may say that these kinds of targets are nothing more than a marketing exercise, and that manufacturers are not likely to set themselves targets that they are not likely to receive, at the same time a self-imposed regime can also be the catalyst for new ideas and new technologies which will propel Honda forward in the market place.

Remember that at the time the Prius was launched back in 1997 in Japan, there was little market rational for creating an over-engineered small family car, but Toyota surely does not regret the time and energy invested in developing this technology.

Source: Nikkei (Japanese-language)