Short for “Ecological Drive Assist System,” Honda’s ECO Assist is available on some of the most popular Honda models, including the 2013 Civic, CR-V and Accord.

Honda said its ECO Assist technology can help drivers develop driving habits that enhance fuel efficiency by observing the speedometer background’s response to driving practices. Fuel-saving behaviors like smooth acceleration and braking make the meter glow green. Less fuel-efficient driving habits will cause the meter glow blue-green, while aggressive starts and stops that consume extra fuel cause the meter to glow blue.

In addition to the ECO Assist technology, drivers can also engage the green, dash-mounted “ECON” button to further optimize control of the transmission, engine and other powertrain elements to help conserve additional fuel.

“Honda developed the driver guidance and driver feedback functions of ECO Assist to help drivers improve their fuel economy, and in turn, to also benefit our environment,” said Art St. Cyr, vice president of product planning and logistics at American Honda. “The visual nature of the technology is intended to help drivers improve their efficient driving skills by making it a more fun and rewarding experience.”

On Honda hybrid and alternative fuel models, a fuel efficiency scoring function located in the gauge-cluster’s Multi-Information Display (MID) provides further feedback about cumulative, long-term driving style. The MID also allows drivers to view fuel economy figures for the past three trips, as well as instantaneous and average fuel economy statistics.

The scoring function encourages drivers to take an interest in developing fuel efficient driving habits over the long term and rewards their efforts with growing foliage.

The Green Car Technology Award honors important enabling technology helping to create a new generation of fuel-efficient, alternative-fuel, or low-emission vehicles. Technologies considered for the award range from advanced powerplants and drivetrain components to on-board systems that work toward increasing efficiencies, reducing petroleum use or improving environmental impact. Qualifying technologies must be in use by vehicle models currently on the market today.

“Honda’s ECO Assist system was selected as a Green Car Technology Award finalist for its innate ability to help drivers enhance their fuel efficiency,” said Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of the Green Car Journal and www.CarsOfChange.com. “In an era of increased demands on environmental performance from consumers and government alike, we wanted to highlight the innovative technologies like ECO Assist that make their incredible achievements possible.”

In addition to the ECO Assist system, Honda said it is committed to further advancements in fuel efficiency, with a focus on the broad application of technologies such as VTEC and Variable Cylinder Management (VCM), and the expanded application of Honda hybrid technology.

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