2010 Green Car Vision Award Finalists: Electric Drive Rules

Many vehicles in development today are as much revolutionary as they are evolutionary, a nod to the growing imperatives of environmental performance and high fuel efficiency. Evidence of this is in the automakers’ labs, of course, and in the research and development programs at a growing number of the industry’s advanced technology suppliers. Increasingly, these vehicles are now taking to the highway. Green Car Journal’s Green Car Vision Award™ focuses on these very vehicles.

As part of the magazine's Green Car Awards™ program, the Green Car Vision Award™ complements Green Car Journal’s Green Car of the Year® award that focuses on industry-leading ‘green’ models widely available today. The Green Car Vision Award™ recognizes the most significant ‘green’ vehicle in demonstration programs or in its early stages of commercialization, but not yet on sale. One-off concepts are not considered.

This year, all five Green Car Vision Award™ finalists use electric drive but take three distinctly different approaches. Three are battery electric vehicles. One is a plug-in hybrid that powers its motor with electricity generated on-board or sourced from the electrical grid. Another is powered with electricity created by a hydrogen fuel cell.

The 2010 Green Car Vision Award™ winner will be announced at a press conference held at the Washington Auto Show this coming January 26, in a setting where ‘green’ cars are taking an increasingly higher profile. The Washington Auto Show’s Green Car Pavilion has now evolved into a 65,000 square foot Advanced Technology Superhighway exhibition area on the show floor, featuring an array of advanced technologies and fuels that are making cars greener, safer, and more compatible with the world in which we live. Kicking off the Washington Auto Show's two Policy Days is Green Car Journal's third annual Green Car Summit on Capitol Hill, where industry and energy leaders will share their perspectives on realistic pathways to a new generation of advanced and electric drive vehicles.

Here’s a look at each of the 2010 Green Car Vision Award™ finalists:

2010 GREEN CAR VISION AWARD FINALISTS
(Alphabetical Order)

CODA SEDAN
Coda Automotive takes an international approach with its base vehicle and batteries built in China, a U.S.-built UQM electric drivetrain, and major components from traditional and emerging suppliers. This all-new electric car goes on sale in 2010 at $45,000.

FORD FOCUS BEV
Ford’s Focus BEV uses demonstration prototypes based on the current European Ford Focus. Production versions in 2011 will come in the form of the next-generation Focus model based on Ford’s global C-car platform. A price has not yet been announced.

MERCEDES-BENZ F-CELL
The Mercedes-Benz F-Cell is a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle based on the compact B-Class, a four-door hatchback. It will enter small-scale series production and initially be leased at an undisclosed cost to consumers in select U.S. markets beginning in 2010.

NISSAN LEAF
The Leaf electric car represents a significant commitment on the part of Nissan. Destined for showrooms in 2010, Nissan says this all-new lithium-ion powered car will be offered at a cost comparable to competitive models powered by conventional powerplants.

TOYOTA PRIUS PHV
Toyota’s Prius PHV combines the functionality of a Prius with the ability to drive up to 12 miles on electric power. It uses lithium-ion batteries in the redesigned 2010 Prius. Toyota will begin fielding 500 Prius PHVs in demonstration programs in late 2009.