Two U.S. Honda Plants Cut Energy Use, Emissions

February 20, 2009

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Based on advances in reducing energy use while producing cars and light trucks, Honda’s Ohio and Alabama plants have earned Energy Star awards from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

During the fiscal year ending March 31, 2008, average carbon dioxide emissions per vehicle produced in Honda’s North American plants were at the lowest levels since H0nda began taking measurements in 2001, according to a press release. Including factors like vehicle size and production volume, the EPA figures Energy Star compliance based on the amount of energy needed to produce a vehicle.

At the Marysville, Ohio, plant, Honda slashed electricity use after retooling plastic injection molding machines to run only during the production cycle, a measure that also reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 80,000 pounds a year. At its East Liberty, Ohio, plant, Honda installed more efficient chiller units to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 508,000 pounds a year, according to the release.

The Lincoln, Ala., plant monitored use of equipment between shifts, during lunch and breaks, and on weekends. The resultant program effectively reduced electricity use on the paint line by 10 million kilowatt hours, representing about 15 million pounds of carbon dioxide, according to the release.

Honda was named one of the 100 most sustainable companies in the world, by Corporate Knights Inc and Innovest Strategic Value Advisors.

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