Well, it won't be a clean diesel this year as it was the past two years with Audi and VW taking the awards but it could be a non-electric or non-hybrid if the Ford Fiesta, which achieves up to 40 miles per gallon EPA estimated highway fuel economy running on conventional gasoline, is chosen as the winner.
Green Car Journal announced its five finalists for the 2011 Green Car of the Year: 2011 Chevrolet Volt, 2011 Ford Fiesta, 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid and the 2011 Nissan LEAF. The selection committee is made up of: Carl Pope, chairman of the Sierra Club; Frances Beinecke, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council; Jean-Michel Cousteau, president of Ocean Futures Society and Matt Petersen, president of Global Green USA. Also, "Tonight Show" host Jay Leno and automotive icon Carroll Shelby join Green Car Journal editors as part of the 2011 jury.
For the sixth consecutive year, this award will be announced during a press conference at the LA Auto Show Press Days on Nov. 18.
The 2011 Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle with extended-range capability can be ordered now for a price starting at $41,000 ($33,500 net of the full federal tax credit, which ranges from $0-$7,500) including a destination freight charge of $720 OR on a lease program with a monthly payment as low as $350 for 36 months at the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price with $2,500 due at lease signing, including security deposit based on current conditions, which could vary at time of delivery. The benefit of the $7,500 tax credit is included in the reduced lease payment, with the tax credit going to the lessor. Customer deliveries of the Chevrolet Volt are scheduled to begin in launch markets late this year with initial production limited.
The Volt will be initially available to Chevrolet customers in California, New York, Michigan, Connecticut, Texas, New Jersey and the Washington D.C. area. A Volt dealer locator is available at http://www.getmyvolt.com. For customers needing general Volt information, Chevrolet will have a team of Volt advisors available to answer questions at 1-888-VOLT-4-YOU.
The Chevrolet Volt has a total driving range of about 340 miles and is powered by electricity at all times. For up to the first 40 miles, the Volt drives gas- and tailpipe-emissions-free using electricity stored in its 16-kWh lithium-ion battery. When the Volt's battery runs low, a gas powered range-extending engine/generator seamlessly operates to extend the driving range another 300 miles on a full tank.
The Volt is the first GM vehicle to offer five years of OnStar Directions and Connections service, which includes Automatic Crash Response, stolen vehicle assistance and connected navigation, all standard. Volt will introduce an OnStar-enabled mobile app that connects the vehicle to the owner's smartphone. The Volt also has eight air bags -- dual-stage frontal, side-impact, knee, and roof-rail side-impact—and StabiliTrak electronic stability control with Traction Control.
