cars are at the vanguard of the coming Electric Era.

Joining them on the list of finalists are the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid and the Ford Fiesta.

The fact most of the cars are electrified in some way underscores both the accelerating adoption of hybrid and electric technology by the auto industry and the role such vehicles will play in meeting tightening fuel economy and emissions regulations.

“These five 2011 Green Car of the Year finalists reflect an auto industry in transition,” Cogan, editor and publisher of Green Car Journal and editor of GreenCar.com, said. "It wasn’t long ago when electric drive was a novelty. Now, it’s expected that auto manufacturers will include electric drive in some form among their model offerings.”

Although four of the five cars have big batteries and electric motors in some capacity, the inclusion of the Ford Fiesta underscores the fact internal combustion will remain the dominant means of propulsion for a while yet.

We've driven all of the cars on the list and were impressed by each of them. The judges, which include Jay Leno and Carroll Shelby along with greenies like Frances Beinecke of the Natural Resources Defense Council, have their work cut out for them.

Above: the 2011 Nissan Leaf. Photo: Jon Snyder / Wired.com

Authors: Chuck Squatriglia

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