Chevy Volt wins Green Car of the Year at LA Auto Show

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- The second-generation 2016 Chevrolet Volt has been named 2016 Green Car of the Year at 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show.

One of the most important factors in deciding the winner is widespread availability, Green Car Journal editor Ron Cogan said on Thursday as he announced the award, an honor widely recognized as the auto industry's important environmental accolade.

The auto industry magazine said the car won because of its extended range. Government fuel-economy figures show that the hybrid gas-electric Volt can go 53 miles on electric power alone and 420 miles on gas and battery power.

Other finalists for the 2016 Green Car of the Year award included the Audi A3 e-tron, Honda Civic, Hyundai Sonata and Toyota Prius.

It's the second time Green Car Journal has recognized the Volt, which also won the title with its first-generation model five years ago.

The second-generation 2016 Chevrolet Volt has "more EV range, it gets better fuel economy, it seats five now, it's lighter and faster, " Shad Balch, a spokesman for Chevrolet, told Xinhua.

Balch also confirmed the Chevrolet Bolt EV, a 280 mile range, pure electric car for about 30,000 U.S. dollars, will come out later next year.

Green Car Journal has been honoring the most important "green" vehicles every year at the LA Auto Show, since its inaugural award announced at the show in 2005.

An increasing number of vehicle models are considered for the Green Car of the Year program each year, a reflection of the auto industry's expanding efforts in offering new vehicles with higher efficiency and improved environmental impact.

"If you look at every vehicle here, they either use less gas or no gas at all," Balch said. "We just look at our product portfolio and what's coming and you can see we are going toward to Electric."

Los Angeles Auto Show has established a reputation over the years of being a green-focused event. Founded in 1907, it is the first major North American auto show of the season each year.

This year's LA auto show starts with the Press and Trade Days on Wednesday before it opens to the public on Friday and will run until Nov. 29 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.