Finalists for 2016 Green Car Awards announced, to be presented at The Washington Auto Show

Finalists for 2016 Green Car Awards announced, to be presented at The Washington Auto Show

Green Car Journal has announced finalists for the 2016 Luxury Green Car of the Year and 2016 Connected Green Car of the Year awards that will be presented at the 2016 Washington Auto Show January 21. Focused on aspirational vehicles with exceptional green credentials, nominees for 2016 Luxury Green Car of the Year are: the BMW X5 xDrive40e, Lexus RX 450h, Mercedes-Benz C350e, Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid and Volvo XC90 T8 PHEV. Finalists for the 2016 Connected Green Car of the Year, a new award, are: the Audi A3 e-tron, BMW 330e, Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid, Toyota Prius and Volvo XC90 T8 PHEV.

–Efficiency-enhancing electrification plays a significant role in this yearês Green Car Awards,” said Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of Green Car Journal. –The field includes green luxury and connected models that all feature hybrid or plug-in hybrid power. Green SUV finalists illustrate that advanced internal combustion will continue to play a major role in new models, with one nominee featuring hybrid power while the rest are powered by efficient internal combustion engines.

Along with improved environmental performance, the Green Car Awards consider traditional buyer touchstones, like functionality, safety, quality, value and performance. Affordability and availability are also important to ensure honored models are accessible to a wide range of buyers. Spotlighting continual environmental improvement places emphasis on new vehicles and those in the very early stages of their model life cycle. The Connected Green Car of the Year Award considers these elements, plus the integration of connected technologies that enhance efficiency, safety and the driving experience.

–We are pleased to be able to showcase the outstanding green cars that are available to consumers,” said 2016 Washington Auto Show Chairman Geoff Pohanka. –Ron Cogan and his publication do a great service in putting forward the cutting edge new vehicles.”

Green Car Journal will announce the winners of these Green Car Awards, plus the Green SUV of the Year (nominees for which were announced in the December 4 WANADA Bulletin) during the Auto Showês Public Policy Day, Jan. 21, at the W.E. Washington Convention Center. A special Green Car Awards exhibit will display the finalists vehicles during the run of the Auto Show.