Author:
ROBIN ROBERTS
Next Green Car has this morning announced the winners of the Next Green Car Awards 2012, the most scientifically-based Green Car Awards in the UK.
Next Green Car has made awards across eight vehicle categories including the ‘Next Generation‟ Award, which includes new technology models close to market launch. An overall winner is also awarded the title of Next Green Car ‘Gold Award’ 2012.
The nine winners are selected from shortlists of 26 of the UK‟s greenest new cars of 2012/13, all selected for their environmental Green Car Rating (GCR), level of innovation, value, drive experience and design.
As noted by Dr. Ben Lane, Managing Editor of Next Green Car, “The 2012 winners reflect two key elements underlying current green car development: downsizing and electrification.
“Three of the winners are brand new models and follow the design philosophy of „small is beautiful‟. Over half of the winners also incorporate electric drive-trains, either as pure electric cars, plug-in hybrids or with start-stop.”
He continues: “Indeed, the Next Green Car Gold Award 2012 goes to the highly innovative Renault ZOE Z.E. which for the first time offers a zero-emission all-electric supermini to the UK car buyer.”
In receiving the Gold Award 2012, Andy Heiron, Head of Electric Vehicle Programme, Renault UK said, “We’re delighted that ZOE has collected not just one, but two awards from Next Green Car, several months before it even launches in the UK; especially the prestigious Next Green Car Gold Award.
“With an affordable price tag, stylish design and great technology including six world premieres such as its innovative Chameleon charger with fast charge capability and the R-Link internet connected integrated touch-screen tablet, we have very high hopes for the fourth model in our electric vehicle range.”
Winners of the Next Green Car Awards 2012:
City-car Award 2012 Volkswagen up! BlueMotion – CO2: 96 g/km – GCR1: 29
Supermini Award 2012 Renault ZOE Z.E. – CO2: 0 g/km – GCR: 26
Small Family Award 2012 Volvo V40 D2 – CO2: 94 g/km – GCR: 29
Large Family Award 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid – CO2: 49 g/km – GCR: 32
Family Estate Award 2012 Ford Focus 1.0T EcoBoost Estate – CO2: 109 g/km – GCR: 31 (est)
Executive Award 2012 BMW 3 Series 320d EfficientDynamics – CO2: 109 g/km – GCR: 31
MPV Award 2012 Ford B-MAX 1.6 TDCi – CO2: 104 g/km – GCR: 31
Next Generation Award 2012 BMW i3 – CO2: 0 g/km – GCR: 26 (est)
Gold Award 2012 Renault ZOE Z.E. – CO2: 0 g/km – GCR: 26
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