Honda Making Plans for New, Tough CARB Standards

The world is changing fast and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) is pushing much of it when it comes to the demise of internal combustion engines. It is on the cusp of requiring all outboard engines under 25-hp to be electric, and all outboards over 53-hp to reduce emissions by 70% in 2027.  Jim Loftus, Honda’s Director of Power and Marine Equipment, says the latter will require a catalytic converter or some other solution to meet the regs.  In case you’ve forgotten, catalytic converters for sterndrive gas engines cost on the order of $5,000.  Honda has been making electric motors for cars for 20 years, so how hard can it be to make an electric outboard motor for boats?  

To watch Part Three of our interview, click here.