The second-generation 2016 Chevrolet Volt has been named Green Car Journal‘s 2016 Green Car of the Year. According to the Journal, this is an all-new and significantly improved version of the automaker’s groundbreaking extended-range electric vehicle that first made its appearance in 2011.
The award was announced during a press conference at the LA Auto Show on Nov. 19. Other finalists for the 2016 Green Car of the Year award included the Audi A3 e-tron, Honda Civic, Hyundai Sonata and Toyota Prius.
Green Car Journal editors stated that the 2016 Volt has improved in virtually every way, with a sleek and sporty design, more energy-dense batteries, new electric motors and quicker acceleration. It features a more efficient 1.5-liter engine-generator that creates on-board electricity to power the Volt’s motors for a total 420 miles. Among its most important achievements is an increase to 53 miles of driving exclusively on batteries.
An increasing number of vehicle models are considered for the Green Car of the Year program each year, a reflection of the auto industry’s expanding efforts in offering new vehicles with higher efficiency and improved environmental impact. Green Car Journal has been honoring the most important “green” vehicles every year at the LA Auto Show, since the inaugural award was announced at the show in 2005.
“This is the first time in Green Car of the Year history that a vehicle has won the award in two succeeding model generations,” said Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of Green Car Journal and CarsOfChange.com. “Considering all the brands and models evaluated in the award program, that’s quite a statement. The Chevrolet Volt was a standout when it won 2011 Green Car of the Year and continues in that role today as the 2016 Green Car of the Year.”
“Chevrolet is bringing fun-to-drive, technology-loaded and affordable electric solutions for our customers, and the 2016 Volt delivers on all fronts,” said Steve Majoros, Chevrolet marketing manager. “For the Volt to stand out as Green Car Journal’s Green Car of the Year reaffirms Chevrolet’s commitment to delivering electric solutions to our customers that exceed their expectations.”
The Green Car of the Year is selected through a majority vote by an esteemed jury that includes celebrity auto enthusiast Jay Leno, plus leaders of noted environmental and efficiency organizations including Jean-Michel Cousteau, president of Ocean Futures Society; Matt Petersen, board member of Global Green USA; Dr. Alan Lloyd, president emeritus of the International Council on Clean Transportation; Mindy Lubber, president of CERES; and Kateri Callahan, president of the Alliance to Save Energy.
During the award’s vetting process, Green Car Journal editors consider all vehicles, fuels and technologies as an expansive field of potential candidates is narrowed down to a final five. Finalists are selected for their achievements in raising the bar in environmental performance. Many factors are considered, including efficiency, EPA and CARB emissions certification, performance characteristics, “newness” and affordability. Availability to the mass market is important to ensure honored models have the potential to make a real difference in environmental impact, and finalists must be available for sale by January of the award year.
Last year, the Green Car of the Year winner was the BMW i3.
