Ode to the Honda CRX HF

From 1988 to 1991, Honda's 2 door CRX was offered with a high fuel economy package. Honda, recognized for a legacy of fuel efficiency and innovation, sold the HF in the USA through their dealer network just as any other mass production vehicle of theirs.

An attractive vehicle, the CRX HF was only discernible from a regular CRX by it's smaller than usual exhaust pipe, "HF" decal and narrower than normal tires.

While the appeal of a car with EPA rating of 41 city and 50 highway wasn't as hot as it would be today, the cars sold well and are still readily available (in various states of operation condition). Even using the 2008 revised EPA standards, the CRX HF still rates well at 37 city and 47 highway.

Current market CRX HF's have a cult like following; some have been transformed into race cars (due to a uniquely lighter weight unibody). A good, or better, condition HF may retrieve $2500-$5000. Assuming another $5000 for respectable restoration, the CRX HF nets out at or below $10k total and achieves near-hybrid fuel economy with all of the novelty, nostalgia, and no extra batteries.

Hawaiian Leadership in EV and PHEV

Hawaii in the mid 1990's coordinated with Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) and Enova Systems (www.enovasystems.com) to experiment with the operation of EV's. Although testing went well, electric vehicle technology was not ready for mass adoption.

Today, as helped along by the ARRA (American Reinvestment and Recovery Act), Hawaii State and busineses are activating a wider scale energy initiative that includes special emphasis on EV and PHEV usage and charging infrastructure.

Why is Hawaii also focused on vehicles? "Every barrel of crude oil imported into Hawaii is used as follows: about one third for ground transportation (gasoline and diesel); one third for air transportation (jet fuel); and one third to generate electricity. If we want to reduce our use of oil for electricity, we need to also reduce our use of gasoline for ground transportation." (1)

Hawaii's volume of roads and miles driven between origins and destinations (even if temporary destinations) make it a perfect fit for EV and PHEV's. With newer and now readily available EV and PHEV vehicles, and investments in clean energy technologies like wind power, Hawaii's initiative is prepared for instant activation. It is also Hawaii's belief that the private and business market will adopt and embrace EV and PHEV's, and with correct plan execution and vehicle diversity, this seems almost certain.

Metropolitan areas with high live / work densities are perfect situations for cloning Hawaii's initiative. Additionally, with larger populations, funding from public sources may very well not be required.



(1) State of Hawai'i, Executive Chambers, News Release: State and Hawaiian Electric Strike Sweeping Agreement for Hawai'i’s Energy Future, October 20, 2008

Electric Car, Similar to Mobile Phone

It'll be awhile before electric cars have ranges of 300 or more miles the way comparable fossil fuel powered vehicles do today. 100% EV (electric vehicles) may not be long trip vehicles, but for those driving less than 100 miles in between stops of 20min or more, they could be the perfect match. The variables to consider in the match are 1. infrastructure available for charging, 2. owner operators' behavior.

Given the charging infrastructure is available, think of the ownership experience for charging the EV as that of a cell phone. Mobile phones can be charged at home, or anywhere else a power source is available. Many of us are used to bringing our phone to a destination, then opportunistically charging for a few minutes here, an hour there, etc. Basically, it's continually charging and topping off.

For those considering EV ownership, and concerned about the range, consider your mobile phone ownership practices, and the growing EV infrastructure and charging methods. With the battery leasing, technology and other alternatives to alleviate concern over battery memory, deep charging requirements, etc. the only concern will be charging infrastructure.