GM was quick to tout the Chevrolet Volt as the first electric vehicle to win the award even though the Volt is, strictly speaking, a plug-in hybrid. Still, the fact a car that runs on electricity took the honor is a milestone.

“This has been a long time coming,” said Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of Green Car Journal and editor of GreenCar.com. “The electric vehicles that were test marketed in the 1990s tantalized us, but were without a solid business case. What a difference a decade makes.”

The automotive press loves handing out awards, but this one is somewhat relevant because all the cars considered are practical, eco-friendly vehicles you might actually want to drive. Judges include gearheads Jay Leno and Carroll Shelby along with greenies like Frances Beinecke of the Natural Resources Defense Council.

“The Green Car of the Year award validates the Chevrolet team’s promise to deliver a practical electric vehicle,” said Joel Ewanick, vp of U.S. marketing for General Motors. “The Volt’s a transformational technology that will lead our industry into a new age of vehicle electrification.”

Motor Trend and Automobile magazines named the Chevrolet Volt “car of the year” earlier this week. It rolls into showrooms next month.

Photo: General Motors. Ewanick on stage with the Chevrolet Volt at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

See Also:

• Leaf, Volt Among 'Green Car of the Year' Finalists
• Chevy Volt Collecting 'Car of the Year' Awards
• Peek Inside the Chevrolet Volt Factory
• EV Days Are Here Again
• 11 Trailblazing Electric Vehicles
• It's Official: Chevrolet Volt Will Cost $41000

Authors: Chuck Squatriglia

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