(March 20, 2013) TORRANCE, Calif. — Honda offers four vehicles eligible for single-occupant access to California's high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) carpool lanes, the most of any full line automaker. The Accord Plug-In Hybrid, the Civic Natural Gas , the Fit EV all-electric vehicle and FCX Clarity fuel cell-electric vehicles provide drivers with the opportunity for single-occupancy carpool lane access with little-to-no tailpipe emissions at an already-reduced fuel cost.

"With four different Honda vehicles, the most of any automaker, providing single-occupancy access to California's carpool lanes, we are creating tremendous opportunities for consumers to save time and money and reduce their environmental footprint," said Art St. Cyr, vice president of product planning and logistics at American Honda.

"Only Honda offers a broad portfolio of alternative-fuel vehicles in various sizes and body styles to meet the diverse needs of California drivers."

Upon applying for and adhering California Clean Air Vehicle Decals to eligible alternative fuel vehicles, single-occupant operators of these vehicles are allowed to drive in the state's carpool lanes — potentially saving significant commuting and driving time.  In addition to saving time, the diverse alternative-fuel vehicles from Honda offer great potential for fuel savings compared to the fuel cost of the average passenger vehicle in the U.S.

Currently on-sale at 76 Honda dealers in California, the 2014 Accord Plug-In Hybrid sedan is the most fuel-efficient sedan in America with a 115 MPGe fuel economy rating. It is also the first and only vehicle in the U.S. to meet the new, strict SULEV20 emissions standard.

The Accord Plug-In offers 12-15 miles of all-electric range before switching to an efficient hybrid powertrain with an EPA rating of 47/46/46 city/highway/combined fuel economy. This distinctly styled midsize sedan will soon be joined by a two-motor Accord Hybrid model later this year.

Honda is the only automaker to offer an OEM-built compressed natural gas powered vehicle with the 2012 Civic Natural Gas. An ideal daily commuter, the Civic Natural Gas offers range of 190 miles per tank.

The Civic Natural Gas is built exclusively in Greensburg, Ind., using domestic and globally sourced parts and runs on clean burning natural gas, which is domestically sourced and costs about 1/3 less per gasoline gallon equivalent as gasoline. Additionally, through April 30, Honda is offering a $3,000 Clean Energy fuel card with the purchase of a 2012 Civic Natural Gas, potentially defraying years of already-reduced fuel costs.

The Fit EV and FCX Clarity each offer zero-emissions driving experiences. Among the most fuel-efficient vehicle yet rated by the EPA with 118 MPGe and based on the popular five-door, five-passenger Fit and Fit Sport, the 100-percent electric Fit EV features a 20-kilowatt-hour (kWh) Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) battery and a compact 92-kilowatt (123 horsepower) AC synchronous electric motor that produced 189 ft-lb of motor torque.

This efficient powertrain is teamed with a fully independent suspension and a driver-selectable 3-mode drive system. The result is an EPA combined city/highway driving range rating of 82 miles.

The Fit EV is available at Honda dealerships in California, Oregon and selected markets in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maryland, New York and New Jersey.