2016 Chevrolet Volt claims top honours as AJAC's 2016 Canadian Green Car of the Year

What is a Green Vehicle?
It is a vehicle which, for its size and purpose, provides the Canadian consumer with environmentally-friendly returns that compare favourably with other vehicles in its class.

2016 Canadian Green Car of the Year and 2016 Canadian Green Utility Vehicle of the Year

VANCOUVER, March 23, 2016 /CNW/ - In a press conference at the opening ceremonies of the Vancouver International Auto Show, the 2016 Chevrolet Volt claimed top honours from the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) as the 2016 Canadian Green Car of the Year (CGCOTY).

The annual award was presented by Kevin Corrigan, Chair of the CGCOTY Committee. The Chevrolet Volt was chosen from among three finalists, winning over the 2016 Honda Civic and 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The finalists were earlier announced and recognized at the Canadian International Auto Show (CIAS) in February, and "crowned" with special green car toppers for the duration of the show. The winning Chevrolet Volt, as well as its running-mates, will wear the same crowns for the duration of the Vancouver show, identifying them as finalists for the Canadian Green Car of the Year Award.

"Chevrolet is honoured to receive AJAC's Green Car of the Year award, as it reinforces our commitment to being a leader in electrification," said Laura Pacey, brand director, Chevrolet in Canada. "The second-generation Volt is a no-compromise electric car, delivering up to 80 kilometres of EV range, greater efficiency and stronger acceleration, making it the most innovative plug-in vehicle in the industry."

The Canadian Green Car of the Year entries are selected from eligible entries in the Canadian Car of the Year program. All vehicles are part of the "TestFest" program, in which more than 70 of Canada's top auto journalists drive entries back-to-back for evaluation, including the Green vehicles. The Green entries are then re-evaluated against each other under a separate set of specific Green criteria, with their original category scoring is factored in. Vote tabulation and results are handled by the international accounting firm KPMG. Of the four entries vying for for CGCOTY, Chevrolet, Honda, and Hyundai beat out the Smart ForTwo Coupe for the three finalist positions.

"A Green vehicle isn't always just the electric car, or the smallest car," Kevin Corrigan says. "A fuel-efficient gasoline four-cylinder, or a six-cylinder luxury hybrid, can also be considered a Green vehicle in its segment of the market. Canadian consumers require environmentally-friendly transportation that meets their needs, whether it's a small city runabout, or a large but fuel-efficient luxury product. Our intention with the Canadian Green Car of the Year program is not just to make consumers aware of environmental vehicles, but to know that we've tested them extensively and have chosen what we feel is the year's best."