The current environmental situation is quite grave with rising pollution, expanding ozone layer breach, and the broad spectrum ill-effects of global warming. Though the thinking heads of the world are trying to find out a solution for these gigantic problems, the situation seems to be out of reach and make us think of the impending doomsday. In such a condition the car majors of the world are trying to lower the pollution levels by pushing greener cars that will burn less or no fossil fuel and release minimal or zero emissions into the atmosphere. As a result, we have an array of electric and hybrid vehicles. The governments of various nations across the world are also promoting the green cars in order to tame the situation and ensure cleaner air for the populace.

2014 Honda Accord Hybrid Front

At the 2014 Green Living Show held in Toronto, the Canadian Green Car Award crowned the Honda Accord Hybrid as greenest car for the year 2014. The Honda Accord Hybrid competes with other very efficient green cars in its own category but was able to win the 2014 Canadian Green Car Award by beating its rivals that include Mazda3 2.0-litre, Mazda5, Ford C-MAX Energi, Volkswagen Jetta Turbo Hybrid and the Nissan Leaf.

The Canadian Green Car Awards gracing the occasion of the Green Living Show also honored several other vehicles with awards for being very efficient, cleaner and greener to help curb the pollution levels, while the Honda Accord Hybrid walked away with the title of the top green car for the current year.

The Honda Accord Hybrid was determined as the winner by a panel of 19 jury members all of whom are Canadian automotive journalists. The jury based their decision by closely studying various factors of the vehicles including performance, fuel economy, several “green” qualities, features, and consumer appeal.

The 2014 Top Green Car Award was handed over to the Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Honda Motor Canada, Dave Gardner by the Former mayor of Toronto and present president and Chief Executive Officer of WWF Canada, David Miller.

During the occasion, Dave Gardner said that it is an honor to have the Honda Accord Hybrid recognized and chosen by a panel of Canada’s most esteemed journalists. The Accord Hybrid is a no-compromise vehicle for the intense fuel saver, which joins the respected and highly acclaimed Accord family offering the same fun drive performance, elegant styling and premium features that are patent characteristics of any Honda Accord sedan.

The eco-friendly vehicles have become intensely important over the past few years and their popularity has grown immensely. The league was started by the gas-electric hybrid car Toyota Prius. The hybrid pioneer Toyota actually showed the way to these great efficient cars, and resulted into the present all important fuel economical criteria for the global auto majors.

The 2014 Canadian Green Car Award is in its second edition, which presented the top honor to Ford Fusion Hybrid in 2013.

The Honda Accord Hybrid is a very capable hybrid car that meets up to everyone’s expectation of efficiency, performance and technology. It also flaunts impressive styling which is patent to Honda and makes for an even more impressive hybrid model that comes with good looks which is not a general feature of most of the quality hybrids. The hybrid cars are made for fuel efficiency, cost saving benefits and ecological benefits. However, the Honda Accord offers more than these three and this car really knows how to impress its owner over time with its various advantages.

The same thing happened when we test drove the ne 2014 Accord Hybrid. Now, being used to test driving snazzy cars with satellite radio and navigation systems, we didn’t find the base Accord Hybrid test model to be a great charmer. However, over a week of driving the car did manage to change our judgment on the car. The primary reason for this is the great return of 44 mpg. Accord Hybrid surely knows how to compensate its lack of few contemporary features with that of sheer brilliance of performance and fuel efficiency. Certainly the very impressive 44 mpg was also falling short of what Honda claims the car can deliver. The claimed combined return of the new 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid is 47 mpg. Nevertheless, the 44 mpg rating is also fabulous for a spacious and family sedan, where it again defers from the usual compact hatchback hybrids.

Moreover, one also wonders how this amazing 44 or 47 mpg is delivered by the new Honda Accord Hybrid considering its rather compact powertrains. The Accord Hybrid packs in a very efficient 2 liter gasoline I-4 engine that is coupled with the potent 124kW electric motor that draws power from a light and proficient 1.3 kWh lithium-ion battery. This hybrid powertrain is surely revolutionary when it comes to efficiency.

The 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid also debuts the company’s Atkinson cycle gas engine that does the duty under the hoods of Toyota and Ford hybrid models. In short, Atkinson makes for enhanced hybrid performance. However, Honda offers a unique package by adding its VTEC valve along with Atkinson. This ensures that the loss of power inherent to Atkinson is effectively compensated, making the Accord a winning hybrid.

The revolutionary technology of the new Accord hybrid does not end here, as the car efficiently operates in 3 various drive modes and does not conventionally use a transmission and is rather operated by fixed drive ratios depending on the vehicle’s current driving mode.

All these superb innovation and smart usage of technology by Honda makes of the Accord Hybrid’s superb EPA rating of 50 mpg on city roads, 45 mpg on highway and 47 mpg on combined driving.

Apart from all the added benefits of the superb quality hybrid vehicle, the new Honda Accord Hybrid is essentially an Accord sedan, which is known for its comfortable and spacious interiors. Only its cargo space is a tag lesser than the regular Accord, but that is hardly noticeable.

Looking at the speed of expansion plans of automaker Honda in India it appears  that it is planning to become both number one two wheeler manufacturer and passenger car manufacturer in local markets. While it is presently India’s second largest maker of motorcycles and scooters as well as scooterettes after recently beating Bajaj Auto it is trying to achieve status of numero uno in this category at the earliest by increasing production capacity and also sales network across the nation. The carmaker which recently phased out its Honda Accord sedan which was stagnating due to lack of sales in 2013, is planning to bring out its hybrid variant to Indian markets which will be officially launched in Auto Expo 2014.

The Honda Accord Hybrid model will be assembled in India and is likely to be sold in price range of INR 30 – 32 lakhs and will be slightly costly than last discontinued variant due to improved technology. The car is equipped with 2 liter petrol engine which is combined with two electric motors so driver will be able to switch between both modes. The petrol engine will provide power output of 141 PS and torque of 165 Nm while electric engine’s power output is 196 bhp and torque of 306 Nm. The car also has dual zone climate control and keyless ignition system. Honda is optimistic about its Accord Hybrid model’s success though it faced a lukewarm response for previous Civic Hybrid option which was later discontinued.

The new Honda Accord Hybrid car has been completely redesigned with spacious interiors and latest technological features like voice enabled navigational commands on interactive touchscreen along with audio system with Bluetooth and USB compatibility. The car is also more fuel efficient and can beat existing record of Toyota Prius hybrid therefore is gaining popularity in European and American markets where it has been successfully launched. Accord Hybrid is created with a new technology which will help it to accelerate using only electric power and also provide good mileage.  Its two electric motors are provided for motivation and recharging which stores electrons in lithium-ion battery system which is placed in car’s truck section. Structural changes have been carried out to reduce overall weight by making its front sub-frame and rear bumper beam with aluminum which also improve balance.

The hybrid technology of new Honda Accord based on four cylinders power output allows it to accelerate from 0 – 60 within 8 seconds as its petrol engine powers front wheels while electric motor powers rear wheels. The car’s second electrical motor performs function of a generator to mix both petrol and electricity power and boost power of its battery charger. Its braking and suspension technology is continued from previous model and is provided with extra power of brake assist and traction control along with Hill Assist. Its interiors are upholstered in rich fabric and its dashboard has been laid out in three tier format which neatly segregates display panels from control panel. The broader wheelbase has created extra space between seat rows which is a great plus.

With the thought of the bleak situation that the world could be in or arguably already is in, scientists and global industrial giants are all aware of their responsibilities to do something to make things better. Being a part of the massive pollution makers, the car majors of the world are also trying their bit to reduce the rising pollution, global warming and the destruction of eco-balance.

As a result, a number of highly efficient hybrids, EVs (Electric Vehicles) and alternate fuel vehicles are being rolled out by the auto giants, which emit far less harmful gasses or none at all to harm the nature. With the advent of plug-in hybrids and battery operated EVs, another very effective mode of energy conservation or supply has emerged, that is of the vehicle to grid electricity supply. Though this is still being studied, it has immense possibility in the near future, where EVs and plug-in vehicles can serve as power supply devices, when there is a dearth of the same.

The Japanese luxury auto major, Honda Motor being a part of the global green agenda is now joining an existing vehicle to grid or V2G display project which involves the University of Delaware and the NRG Energy. Honda Motor will be utilizing the power of one of its Accord Plug-in Hybrid car models as a backup power source when standard power supply declines and the demand of the same increases. NRG Energy had started funding this testing program along with the Delaware University previously this year.

In a bead to participate in this program, Honda is going to install a bi-directional charger into the system in its Accord Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle. This particular testing program is part of a more expansive effort by the major car makers as well as other organizations who wish to explore the possibility of the plug-in vehicles to help control the grid, which is something that is eventually going to be more common as when the renewable sources energy become more available.

Other auto makers of the world are also involved in similar projects with their own EVs or Plug-in hybrid car models. Honda’s homegrown rival Nissan has been involved in a similar alternative power supply program with its all electric passenger vehicle, Leaf. Nissan has also recently tested its very own ‘Vehicle To Building’ program in its home ground Japan. Nissan test consisted of 6 Leaf electric vehicles providing power for an office building, when the electricity demand was at its peak, and when the electricity costs come down then the all electric vehicles are re-charged fully again for any future usage as per need.

Back in the year 2011, Nissan had also conducted and got impressive results from the company’s “Leaf to Home” power project. In this testing program, the Japanese car maker used its Leaf EV to work as a house UPS and power a house during power cuts and getting the battery recharged afterwards.

After a year of the launch of the refreshed new 2013 Honda Accord, the Japanese luxury car brand has launched the 2014 hybrid version of the midsized sedan to fight it out with the other prominent hybrid rivals in the market. The new 2014 Accord Hybrid is very unlike the not so efficient 2005 version that got lost into oblivion. This one is a very efficient and elegant green sedan that is supposed to return very good mileage keeping with the class leading Toyota Camry and Ford Fusion.

The 2014 Accord Hybrid is going to be sold in the market from 31^st October, 2013 with a starting price tag of $29,155. This hybrid vehicle has a powerful 4-cylinder gasoline engine under its hood along with 2 electric motors that are run by a potential 1.3 KW lithium-ion battery. The electric motors are driven by Honda’s E-CVT system. The gasoline engine pumps in power directly to the front wheels only when the vehicle is in top gear on the highways. The combined power generated by the motors is 196HP.

The new 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid claims the fuel efficiency of an outstanding 47 mpg in a combined driving condition; however we are expecting the car to deliver around 38 mpg on the real road conditions, which is also commendable.

The new 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid is a truly efficient car as it gets very potential mechanical specifications. The entire powertrain system is really powerful and delivers superb torque.  The transition between the car’s electric-only mode and the gasoline-supported mode is also very smooth. The hybrid vehicle also has a very smooth and comfortable regenerative braking system unlike the other hybrids whose braking system is rather jerky. As expected, when we took a production version of the new Accord Hybrid for a test drive, we got an overall mileage of 38 mpg, which makes it a hybrid that can rightly fight it out with the top selling hybrid vehicles such as the Camry.

We found that this hybrid vehicle can comfortably drive through the city roads on its all electric mode only, given that you consciously drive the car below the speed of around 35 miles per hour. The vehicle also offers an EV button that lock in the system in the electric only mode to overrule your decision to speed up the car or when the battery charge is draining out.

As with quality hybrid cars, the new Accord Hybrid’s cabin is very quiet and almost vibration free and gives a better driving experience than that of the regular Accord sedan.

The only drawback of the Accord Hybrid is its big battery pack that eats into the boot space. The rear seats cannot be folded to increase the cargo space.

Keeping with Accord line-up, the Hybrid gets a comfortable and spacious interior that gets good furnishings. The car gives classy and luxurious look and feel both on the inside and the outside. Thus, the very capable Honda Accord gets all the better with the incorporation of a superb Hybrid system.

The global car market is going gaga about green cars and fuel preserving vehicles as the planet earth gives out all the signs of being exhausted by the greedy extortions of the human beings. The green vehicles seem to be one effective solution to the growing pollution levels by the harmful emissions of the vehicles. In order to make a positive difference though, the green cars have to rise in their numbers considerably and practically rule the roads of the globe. As the car enthusiasts lean towards the very efficient and powerful cars that are also environment friendly, the auto manufacturing behemoths of the world are also putting in a lot of effort in producing innovative green cars, while also working towards the cost effectiveness of these cars.

Honda is one among many such companies to be expanding in its green cars agenda. This Japanese car company has joined its fellow Japanese car majors and other global companies in producing great green cars. Honda has big plans of a lot of green and efficient cars like most of its colleagues. For the time being though, Honda is busy to expand its Accord Hybrid model’s presence in the very important American car market.

The Honda Accord Hybrid model is already available as a plug-in hybrid vehicle in the US, now the Japanese car maker is all braced up to launch its Accord in a non-PHEV hybrid form as well in the North American auto market. This new Honda Accord non-PHEV Hybrid model that is going to make its appearance in the United States is already revealed in the home ground of Honda, Japan. However, it is still speculated that the car that is going to debut in the US car market is different than that of its Japanese counterpart.

This is because, as per the speculations the Accord Hybrid that is bound for the US market will not be featuring the plug-in variant’s design that is featured on the Japanese non-PHEV hybrid model’s exterior. The Accord non-PHEV Hybrid model for the US car market will come with the regular Accord design language.

Coming back to the already revealed Japanese Accord non-PHEV hybrid model, the car makes a real distinguished style statement as compared to its plug-in variant, with its eye catching blue trim mounted on the car’s front grille and its unique blue colored headlamps. Moreover, the non-PHEV Accord Hybrid will be powered by the Japanese car giant’s very first two-engine hybrid system that utilizes a 2.0 liter Atkinson cycle, a 124 kilo watts electric engine system as well as a 105 kilo watts electric unit for the purpose of power generation.

The motoring system has the capacity to generate 196 Horsepower, while the range is supposed to be as much as 49 mpg on the city roads and 45 mpg on the highways. The new Honda Accord Hybrid non-plug-in model is programmed to be manufactured in the company’s Ohio plant and is expected to have a price of close to $30,000.