2012 Green Car Vision Award Finalists All Electric Drive

Every year, the Green Car Vision Award™ recognizes the most important vehicle that best envisions the road ahead. To be considered for the Green Car Vision Award™, vehicles must be in demonstration on public highways today or on their way toward commercialization, but not yet widely available to consumers. They are a window to our driving future.

Narrowing down the field to a final five is never an easy thing, and this year is no exception. Our 2012 finalists include the BMW i3, Cadillac ELR, Ford C-MAX Energi, Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-Cell, and Tesla Model S. They represent a diverse array of approaches that include hydrogen fuel cell, battery electric, extended range electric, and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

It’s no surprise that electric drive continues to dominate the thoughts of automakers as they look to the future. While all five finalists integrate electric drive, they power their motors in distinctly different ways. Their energy sources range from batteries that charge from the grid to engine-generators and hydrogen fuel cells that create on-board electricity to help power the vehicle. It’s this diversity that will bring the kind of choices required to make electric drive a force in the marketplace.

The 2012 Green Car Vision Award™ winner will be identified at a press conference during the Washington Auto Show’s second Policy Day on Thursday, January 26. Produced by the Washington Area New Automobile Dealers Association (WANADA), The Washington Auto Show opens to the public on Friday, Jan. 27. The 10-day show, the largest public show in Washington, will again host the Advanced Technology SuperHighway, a 65,000-square-foot display of the latest innovations in safety and sustainability, from clean diesel to biofuels and electric vehicles.

Here’s a look at each of the 2012 Green Car Vision Award™ finalists:

2012 GREEN CAR VISION AWARD FINALISTS
(Alphabetical Order)

BMW i3
The BMW i3 electric city car is the leading edge of an all-new electrification program by BMW. It epitomizes forward thinking with its lightweight carbon-fiber construction, aluminum chassis, and innovative all-electric powertrain. It is scheduled to debut as a 2014 model.

CADILLAC ELR
Cadillac’s ELR, based on the luxury marque’s exciting Converj concept car, is an extended range electric vehicle that will use a next-generation of the powertrain currently found in the Chevrolet Volt. It is expected to be introduced as a 2014 model.

FORD C-MAX ENERGI
The Ford C-MAX Energi is a plug-in hybrid variant of the C-MAX MAV (multi-activity vehicle. It incorporates next-generation powersplit technology allowing greater electric operation at higher speeds than any other hybrid. It is slated to come to market as a 2013 model.

MERCEDES-BENZ F-CELL
The Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-Cell continues this automaker’s focus on hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. It has been in demonstration programs in recent times and recently completed a world tour. It is expected to be the basis for a volume production fuel cell car in 2014.

TESLA MODEL S
Tesla’s Model S is a unique seven passenger sport sedan that will be powered by an adaptation of the company’s electric powertrain technology used in the Tesla Roadster. This electric sedan is scheduled for market introduction as a 2013 model.