The two vehicles were among 38 2011 model year automobiles with new or significantly revised drivetrains considered by the editors. That is the largest field of candidates ever, and the fact both of these groundbreaking vehicles made the list speaks to the quality of their engineering and the viability of electric propulsion.

In choosing the finalists for the annual award, the editors at Ward’s consider many things, including noise, vibration and harshness, fuel efficiency, new technology and comparative data for similar systems. And in all cases, the Voltec system in the Chevrolet Volt (shown above) and the electric drivetrain in the Nissan Leaf stand apart.

“Brave. Inspired. Brilliant,” Drew Winter, editor-in-chief at Ward’s AutoWorld, said of GM’s Voltec system. “We don’t often use these words in the same sentence as ‘propulsion system,’ but that’s the only way to describe the magic under the hood of the Chevy Volt. General Motors engineers have changed the course of history by creating an electric vehicle with true mass appeal.”

As for the Leaf (shown above), it was the first time in the 17-year history of the award that an electric drivetrain has been included despite the fact we saw a small wave of EVs in the late 1990s and the Tesla Roadster has been around a few years.

“Range anxiety is a hurdle, just like in 1908, when the first Ford Model T buyers worried about finding gas stations,” Ward’s wrote in a press release listing the winners. “But an electrical socket – ubiquitous in the developed world – is all that is needed for people who want to own and drive a Leaf, while consuming no gasoline and creating zero emissions. As a propulsion system, it truly deserves recognition.”

Hear, hear.

We’ve driven both of these cars. We just spent a week using a Leaf as our primary car, driving it as far and as often as we drive our conventional car. It suited our needs perfectly (look for our review soon). It isn’t for everyone, but it will meet the needs of far more people than its critics would have you believe.

As for the Volt, spare us your lame complaints about “Government Motors” and the “GM lied” debate over whether the Volt is an electric or a plug-in hybrid. And quit griping about the $41,000 (pre-federal tax credit) price already. Do you complain that you cannot afford a Corvette ZR-1 or a Cadillac CTS-V Coupe? The bottom line is the Volt is a remarkable automobile that effectively bridges internal combustion and battery electric propulsion.

The award follows the Volt winning to “car of the year” awards and the Leaf being named Europe’s “car of the year.” There is growing consensus that these are impressive, even important, automobiles. The critics and naysayers are rapidly running out of viable reasons for their animosity.

Main photo: John F. Martin / Chevrolet. GM CEO Dan Ackerson on Nov. 30 announcing the start of production of the Chevrolet Volt.

Second photo: Nissan.

See Also:

• Nissan Leaf Wins Europe's 'Car of the Year'
• Chevy Volt Wins 'Green Car of the Year'
• Chevy Volt Collecting 'Car of the Year' Awards
• EV Days Are Here Again
• EV Batteries Will Have Lives Beyond the Road

Authors: Chuck Squatriglia

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