Have you ever wondered what the range of a Compressed Natural Gas Honda Civic is in miles? Me too! So, I decided to pass up the opportunity to drive “No Plug” – my 2000 Honda Insight with 114,000 miles and drive a 2004 Honda Civic GX to Luther College in Decorah, Iowa on the Friday before Earth Day 2007. It took the vertical challenge of the Caledonia, Minnesota hill with ease since it has a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission).

I stopped at the Luther Facilities Management office to talk with Rich Tenneson to verify that parking on the campus sidewalk outside of Main Hall would not get me a ticket from security. It also gave me an opportunity to talk about CNG Civics for their fleet since the fleet already has 4 hybrids!

When I reached my destination in front of Main Hall, the odometer read 55 miles and the fuel gauge was at the lower full line representing 3000 psi. I was feeling confident about my decision to drive the CNG. Brett Johnson has been a great proponent of alternative fuel technology and its positive impact on the environment.

After the presentation, I was able to talk with Jim Martin-Schram as well as Jon Jensen about CNG, Phill natural gas refueling stations and NEVs (Neighborhood Electric Vehicles). They were instrumental in helping Luther College to invest in the original hybrid vehicles. I learned about President Torgerson’s progressive policy on reducing the carbon footprint of the school. Luther College has a number of leaders in the environmental community of the Upper Midwest, and I appreciate the opportunity to work in such a progressive atmosphere. My return to La Crosse was uneventful and included the sharp elevation rise of Locust Road.

We had a dinner club event in Onalaska that evening, and the CNG climbed the bluff and returned to home still showing 2/3 of a tank. Obviously, I had enough fuel to travel to Winona State University for their Earth Day Celebration on Saturday. They have hybrids in their fleet as well! The drive back to La Crosse culminated in the tank registering at ˝. So, I decided to drive it to West Salem for my son, Ethan’s soccer match.

When I arrived at Motorwerks for our 6th Annual Earth Day Celebration, I knew I had more driving to do the upcoming week. I still had 1/3 of a tank left, so, I let Jason drive it home to Coon Valley and challenge it with the Ten Mile Hill. When he arrived at work on Tuesday, the low fuel light had not yet come on. So, I saddled up the GX and drove the 11.9-mile test climb three times before the low fuel light illuminated. We had driven 283 miles and I was not about to quit by this time. I drove around La Crosse until I hit 300 miles and then pulled up to Phill.