USA - The Chevy Bolt EV has been priced at less than $37,500 making this a great looking, brilliant car for the future.

• Customers could see value of $29,995 after potential federal tax credit

The Chevrolet Bolt EV set the range benchmark for an affordable EV capable of going the distance by offering an EPA-rated 238 miles on a full charge. Now, Chevrolet is keeping its promise to offer the Bolt EV at an affordable price by confirming a base Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of $37,495 including destination charge. 

Depending on individual tax situations, customers may receive an available federal tax credit of up to $7,500 for a net value of $29,995.

“Value is a hallmark for Chevrolet and the pricing of the Bolt EV proves we’re serious about delivering the first affordable EV with plenty of range for our customers,” said Alan Batey, president of GM North America and leader of Global Chevrolet. “We have kept our promise yet again, first on range and now on price.”

Bolt EV buyers will find range, cargo space, technology and safety features standard in a great vehicle with crossover proportions. The thrill of driving an EV, along with the sales and service support of a nationwide network of Bolt EV certified Chevrolet dealers, makes the Bolt EV a smart buy for any customer.

The well-equipped LT trim starts at $37,495 and comes with standard features that include, among others, Regen on Demand™ steering wheel paddle, rear vision camera, 10.2-inch diagonal color touch screen and MICHELIN™ Self-sealing tires (in certain circumstances). The top trim Premier includes all LT equipment plus additional standard features such as leather-appointed seats, front and rear heated seats, surround camera and rear camera mirror. Pricing includes destination and freight charges and excludes tax, title, license and dealer fees. The Bolt EV will be available at select dealerships in late 2016.

BMW of America is supplying 100 BMW i3 Electric Vehicles to the Los Angeles Police Department.

BMW of North America today announced that it has won its bid to supply the Los Angeles Police Department with 100 fully-electric BMW i3 vehicles for use in the department’s transportation fleet.

This announcement comes after a field trial during which a BMW i3 was evaluated alongside other EVs on the streets of Los Angeles as part of the LAPD’s every day fleet. 

Ultimately, the BMW i3 was selected due to a combination of EPA rated best-in-class efficiency, reliability and state-of-the-art ConnectedDrive services, which can be used to support fleet management applications.

BMW’s extensive knowledge of charging infrastructure and the availability of a large network of BMW i centers for servicing the fleet in a convenient and cost effective way also played into the decision.

“We should be thinking green in everything we do — and these new EVs show how local government can lead,” said Mayor Garcetti. “Our sustainability plan pushes L.A. to speed adoption of greener practices and technologies, which also save money and resources.”  

“The attributes of the BMW i3 position it to excel as the ideal vehicle for municipal organizations. 

The performance and technical capabilities, such as the BMW i3 ‘s acceleration, and its ConnectedDrive integration, are perfectly suited to transform the future mobility of the Los Angeles Police Department while also reducing their carbon footprint,” said Ludwig Willisch, President and CEO of BMW of North America.  

The BMW i3 police cars began hitting the streets of Los Angeles this spring badged with an LAPD insignia. As the department’s non-emergency fleet vehicles, the BMW i3s will be used throughout the department as transportation vehicles for officers and in community outreach initiatives.  

BMW's software data system will integrate with the LAPD's fleet management system which will allow the department to electronically receive critical vehicle data needed to effectively maintain their fleet.  

BMW is also designing a web tool that will allow the department to track their fleet in near real-time, contributing to improved deployment, utilization, and the efficient charging of their fleet of BMW i3s. 

Greenlots, a global provider of open standards-based distributed energy resource solutions, will supply 100 Level 2 chargers and four DC fast chargers to LAPD.

Due in large part to its compact size and use of light-weight Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) in its construction, the sustainable, fully-electric BMW i3 has a tight turning radius and the agility needed to navigating congested city streets.

USA - 2014 Honda Accord names green car of the year.

• 2014 Accord environmental leadership highlighted by all-new EPA-rated 50 mpg city Accord Hybrid and EPA-rated 115 MPGe combined Accord Plug-In
• Accord joins Civic Natural Gas as the second Honda vehicle to earn "Green Car of the Year" award in past three years

The 2014 Honda Accord, America's top-selling car with retail car customers (1), has been named the "2014 Green Car of the Year®" by Green Car Journal.  The award recognizes the class-leading environmental performance of the Accord family of vehicles, including the fuel-efficient and low emissions Accord 4-cylinder and V-6 Coupe and Sedan, the EPA-rated 50 mpg city Accord Hybrid and the EPA-rated 115 MPGe combined Accord Plug-in Hybrid.

"Led by the 2014 Accord Hybrid, the entire Accord lineup really embodies the promise of the Honda brand to deliver both fun-to-drive enjoyment and outstanding fuel efficiency at the highest level," said Mike Accavitti, senior vice president of Automobile Operations at American Honda. "I want to say thank you to Green Car Journal, not just for honoring Accord, but for shining a spotlight on the environment and our shared vision for an ultra-low carbon future."

2014 Green Car of the Year® jurorsselected the Accord as the winning model for many reasons, not the least of which is its ability to offer an efficient choice for a wide range of buyers, from those seeking better fuel efficiency in a conventionally powered model to those desiring the milestone efficiency of a world-class hybrid or plug-in hybrid. In addition to the "Green Car of the Year" honor, the Accord was earlier honored as one of Green Car Journal's 'Top 5 Green Cars for 2014' and additionally earned the magazine's 'Green Car Product of Excellence' distinction.

"With its efficient internal combustion, hybrid, and plug-in choices, the 2014 Honda Accord delivers exactly what consumers are looking for today," said Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of Green Car Journal and CarsOfChange.com. "It all comes together this year for the Accord in ways that speak to significant environmental performance built into a mainstream, volume model that's a joy to drive. The Accord is a deserving winner of Green Car Journal's 2014 Green Car of the Year."

The 2014 Accord is the second Honda brand vehicle named as "Green Car of the Year" in the past three years, joining the 2012 Civic Natural Gas, which netted the distinction in 2011.

2014 Honda Accord
The 2014 Accord lineup features Honda's innovative Earth Dreams™ Technology powertrains, including Honda's next-generation 2.4-liter, direct-injected 4-cylinder engine with continuously variable transmission or 6-speed manual transmission. The Accord Plug-In, with an 115 MPGe combined EPA fuel-economy rating, and the Accord Hybrid Sedan, with a class-leading 50 mpg EPA city fuel-economy rating, are powered an all-new highly efficient Atkinson cycle engine and two-motor hybrid system2. Fuel efficiency is the best ever for Accord in the EPA Midsize class, with 4-cylinder models earning a 36 mpg highway EPA rating2 and the V-6 models garnering a 34 mpg highway EPA rating (2).

In addition to fuel economy ratings leadership, the Accord has continually led the industry in meeting strict emissions standards. The Accord Plug-In is the first vehicle to achieve SULEV 20 emissions standards, with the lowest tailpipe emissions of any ICE vehicle currently available. Additionally the Accord was the first vehicle to meet ULEV (1998) and SULEV (2000) emissions standards.

Accord was the most popular midsize passenger car in America through September of 2013, based on sales to individual (non-fleet) car buyers, according to new vehicle registration data from R.L. Polk.

About Green Car of the Year®
The Green Car of the Year award is an important part of Green Car Journal's mission to showcase environmental progress in the auto industry. Since 1992, Green Car Journal has focused on the intersection of automobiles, energy, and environment. Today, the magazine is considered the premier source of information on high fuel efficiency, low emission, advanced technology, and alternative fuel vehicles. CarsOfChange.com presents 'green car' articles online along with a focus on infotainment and connectivity. Green Car of the Year® is a registered trademark of Green Car Journal and RJ Cogan Specialty Publications Group, Inc.

The 2014 Green Car of the Year® jurors include leaders of many of the nation's most notable environmental and energy efficiency organizations including Jean-Michel Cousteau, president of Ocean Futures Society; Kateri Callahan, president of the Alliance to Save Energy; Matt Petersen, board member of Global Green USA; Frances Beinecke, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council; and Dr. Alan Lloyd, president of the International Council on Clean Transportation and former head of the California Air Resources Board and Cal/EPA. Auto enthusiast and Tonight Show host Jay Leno and Green Car Journal editors round out the jury.

Honda Environmental Leadership
Honda is committed to further advancements in fuel efficiency, with a focus on the broad application of technologies such as VTEC™ and Variable Cylinder Management™ (VCM™), and the expanded application of Honda hybrid technology. In October 2011, Honda debuted a new lineup of advanced gasoline engines using new 'Earth Dreams' powertrain technology, which will serve as the foundational technology to advance the fuel efficiency of Honda and Acura vehicles. Honda has also led the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) rankings of overall vehicle environmental performance since 2000, and a Honda vehicle has topped the list of America's greenest vehicles from the America Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) for 15 consecutive years.

1 Based on sales to individual (non-fleet) car buyers, according to new vehicle registration data from R.L. Polk through September 2013.
2 Based on 2014 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.