Chevy Volt, Ford F-150, Ram ProMaster Win Top “Green Car” Honors

Green Car Journal has named the 2016 Chevrolet Volt hybrid-electric small car and Ford F-150 full-size pickup as its Green Car and Green Truck of the Year, respectively.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ Ram ProMaster City was named Commercial Green Car of the Year by the online environmentally focused magazine.  

The second-generation Volt features an upgraded battery pack, new electric motors and a more efficient engine to help boost its driving range. The first-generation model also won the Green Car of the Year award when the car was introduced in 2011. This year, the Volt edged out the Audi A3 e-tron, Honda Civic, Hyundai Sonata and Toyota Prius for the title.

The 2016 Ford F-150 was praised for its fuel-efficient Ecoboost V-6 engine and an aluminum body that reduced vehicle weight by 700 lbs. The truck also has an optional package with a 5.0-liter V-8 that can run on natural gas and propane fuel.

The Ram ProMaster City is powered by a 178-hp, 2.4-liter aluminum-block engine with a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency fuel economy rating of 21 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. The engine is teamed with a 9-speed transmission, which is said to be the first such application in a commercial van.

Green Car Journal judged entrants on fuel efficiency, performance characteristics, newness, affordability and raising the “environmental bar.” The trucks also had to meet traditional requirements for their segments, such as power, functionality, cargo capacity and towing capability.