Chevrolet Volt is World Green Car for 2011

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The Chevrolet Volt has been recognized as one of the world’s best electric vehicles to date, winning this year’s World Green Car award at the New York International Auto Show.

The Chevrolet Volt was assessed by experts as “the first mass-produced series hybrid/extended range electric vehicle. G.M. developed it from a concept in a remarkably short period of time and brought it to market on schedule and largely meeting its original performance targets.”

The Volt was also cited for its capacity to drive for 25 to 50 miles running on electric power alone, efficient for long range driving without the need to frequently charge for long hours.

According to the United States Environment Protection Agency, the Chevrolet Volt can go as much as 93 miles per gallon running on electric powerand at 37 mpg on gasoline.

The Volt is also said to generate carbon dioxide emissions of only 52 grams per kilometer.

Chevrolet Marketing’s vice-president Rick Scheidt praised their vehicle’s latest recognition as proof of their efforts for improved environmental vehicle standards.

“The selection of the Volt as the World Green Car is a further proof point of the fuel efficient technologies that are now being offered by the Chevrolet brand around the world,” Mr. Scheidt said. “This award, and the others that have preceded it, validate the efforts of the development team to build a truly remarkable vehicle with the potential to transform transportation around the globe.”

The vehicle toppled twelve other electric car entries from around the world in the competition. It also bested hybrid rivals Nissan Leaf and BMW’s 320d EfficientDynamics Edition in the finals selection.

The Volt has already received recognitions from various automobile magazine publications in the past. Among these are the Green Car Vision Award given by the Green Car Journal in 2009, the 2011 Automobile of the Year award by Automobile Magazine, and best engineered vehicle of 2011 from SAE International’s Automotive Magazine.

The World Green Car award is given to vehicles which employ the latest technological innovations aimed for environmental efficiency. Vehicle models vying for the award must be out in the market starting January 1, 2010 to May 30 of this year. Specifications of vehicle entries are assessed by three experts on green technology, which are handed down to 66 jurors for review.