The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) recently honored American Honda and the Honda Insight with the 2000 Climate Protection Award for Leadership and Technical Innovation. The Climate Protection Awards were established in 1998 to recognize companies and organizations for leadership, technical advancement and dedication to protecting the Earth's future. Honda and the Insight were nominated by industry peers and recognized by the EPA for demonstrating a commitment to reducing greenhouse gas through pollution prevention and technical innovation. In a press release, the EPA said, "Recipients of the Climate Protection Award are leading by example, their demonstrated commitment and extraordinary contributions inspire other individuals and organizations to take part in finding solutions to global warming." Honda is honored by this acknowledgement and will continue to lead the industry by introducing their hybrid technology to the Civic line.

Introducing the Toyota RAV4 EV (electric vehicle)

The Toyota RAV4 EV (Electric Vehicle). After four years within Toyota’s fleet division, the RAV4 EV has been successfully road-tested and is now being made available to the public in California. The RAV4 EV combines the best of both worlds, offering the utility of an SUV in an environmentally conscious package. As we like to say, it’s one “electric” SUV. When the engineers at Toyota developed the RAV4 EV, careful thought was given not only to the environment, but to functionality as well. Take for example, the RAV4 EV’s permanent-magnet motor. In addition to generating zero emissions, the revolutionary 67-hp motor is capable of approaching 78 mph, more than adequate for both street and highway driving. Practicality was also in mind when creating the RAV4 EV’s energy storage system. Utilizing 24 high-capacity, nickel-metal hydride batteries, the RAV4 can travel up to 126 miles on a single charge. For most of us, that’s enough to get us to work and back. Toyota’s approach even extends down to the tires as the RAV4 EV’s steel-belted radials have been designed to minimize rolling resistance, increasing energy efficiency. Consciousness of both the environment and your everyday driving needs -- that’s the RAV4 EV.