The winners of the 2015 Green Car Awards have been announced, From FIAT to Tesla, Jaguar to BMW.

Today sees the announcement of the winners for the Next Green Car Awards 2015, which recognises the UK’s best green cars for 2015.

The winners of the Next Green Car Awards 2015 have been carefully selected from a green car shortlist featuring 44 new models competing across 10 categories (nine vehicle segments plus a ‘Next Generation’ award).

This year, 80% of the winning and commended models emit less than 100 g/km tailpipe CO₂ (official). By powertrain, six have plug-in capability (four PHEVs and two pure EVs), reflecting the increase in available electric models and their growing popularity with customers. Taken together, the average CO₂ figure of the cars receiving an award in 2015 is just 72 g/km.

At the announcement of the 2015 winners, Ben Lane, Managing Editor at Next Green Car commented: "Despite the recent emissions scandal, the NGC Awards 2015 demonstrates that vehicle manufacturers are continuing to innovate and offer genuinely low emission models to UK car buyers. This is being enabled by the use of electric drivetrains as evidenced by the fact that 40% of this year’s winners are either a plug-in hybrid or a pure EV."

Melanie Shufflebotham, Sales and Marketing Director at Next Green Car added: "The ten winners of the Next Green Car Awards 2015 are low emission models that are also great to drive.  These awards seek to provide an independent assessment of the best new cars on the market, and, coupled with the NGC Rating and the suite of Next Green Car tools, help car buyers make good choices when looking for a more economical and lower emission car."

All shortlisted and winning models have been either launched in the UK during 2015 or have UK release dates in 2016. Each category has a winner and a commended model selected by Next Green Car from the shortlist, with a large variety of cars and powertrains on display.

Selection of the winners is initially driven by Next Green Car’s unique NGC Rating which rates the environmental impact of all new cars on the UK market. This is then considered alongside other factors including build-quality, drivability, practicality and value for money.

The winners of the Next Green Car Awards 2015 are as follows:

Citycar Award 2015

WINNER: Fiat 500 0.9 TwinAir – CO₂ 90 g/km – NGC Rating 29

NGC Verdict: “Fiat has taken the popular and successful 500 and made it even better. Economy figures rival the best in its class and the characterful citycar offers a great blend of frugal fun and practicality.”

COMMENDED: Smart fortwo 1.0 – 93 g/km – NGC Rating 30

Supermini Award 2015

WINNER: Peugeot 208 1.6 BlueHDi – CO₂ 79 g/km – NGC Rating 27

NGC Verdict: “Peugeot’s stylish supermini towers above the sector with exceptional economy figures. Low running costs combine with a great town driving experience to make the new 208 a top small car pick.”

Peugeot comment: “We are absolutely delighted to have won this Next Green Car 2015 award.  As leaders in the CO₂ ‘race’ with a CAFE* rating of just 106.3g/km, our best-selling 208 with CO₂ from 79g/km fully deserves recognition as the most efficient non-hybrid car on the UK market.” Neil Moscrop, Peugeot Brand Director [*Corporate Average Fuel Emissions]

COMMENDED: Mazda 2 1.5 Skyactiv-D- 89 g/km – NGC Rating 30

Small Family Award 2015

WINNER: Nissan Leaf 30kWh EV – CO₂ 0 g/km – NGC Rating 28

NGC Verdict: “The best-selling electric Leaf gets better still with a longer range and more kit. Now with fewer charges needed, the Leaf is an award-winning car in its own right, not just a winning EV.”

Nissan comment: “Nissan is delighted that the recently launched longer-range 30kWh LEAF has won the [Next Green Car] Small Family Award 2015. This accolade is yet more recognition of the all-round practicality of the LEAF, particularly as a family car.”

Robert Tweedie, Nissan Motor (GB) EV Category Manager

COMMENDED: Volkswagen Golf GTE – 39 g/km – NGC Rating 34

Large Family Award 2015

WINNER: Volkswagen Passat GTE – CO₂ 39 g/km – NGC Rating TBC**

NGC Verdict: “Volkswagen’s Passat is an excellent large family car that performs well in every area. Add to it the plug-in hybrid powertrain that effortlessly provides drive for all situations and the Passat GTE becomes a dominant model in the large family class.”

Volkswagen comment: “Success for the Passat GTE in the Next Green Car Awards’ Large Family class, coming soon after other influential award wins for the Golf GTE in recent months, clearly underlines the real-world appeal of Volkswagen’s plug-in hybrid models.” Alex Smith, Director of Volkswagen UK

COMMENDED: Skoda Superb 1.6 TDI Greenline – 95 g/km – NGC Rating 34

Estate Award 2015

WINNER: BMW 3-Series Touring 320d ED Plus – CO₂ 104 g/km – NGC Rating 36

NGC Verdict: “The big-booted BMW 3-Series Touring models aim to be all the car you will ever need – frugal, fast, safe, comfortable and practical. In 320d ED Plus Auto guise it succeeds and offers an enjoyable car to drive every day.”

COMMENDED: Skoda Superb Estate 1.6 TDI Greenline – 96 g/km – NGC Rating 34

MPV Award 2015

WINNER: Ford C-Max 1.5 TDCi – CO₂ 105 g/km – NGC Rating 36

NGC Verdict: “In the highly competitive MPV market, where value for money and space are the top considerations, Ford’s C-Max adds an element of fun to these attributes while still offering low running costs.”

Ford comment: “C-MAX has earned a reputation for providing a balance of great fuel economy, responsive, sporty handling and a flexible, roomy interior package. The new Ford C-MAX family also delivers levels of refinement often found in larger, more upmarket vehicles, while all powertrains benefit from CO₂ improvements without sacrificing the car’s great driving dynamics”

Roelant de Waard, Vice President, Marketing, Sales & Service, Ford of Europe

COMMENDED: Volkswagen Touran 1.6 TDI – 111 g/km – NGC Rating 39

Crossover Award 2015

WINNER: Renault Kadjar 1.5 dCi – CO₂ 99 g/km – NGC Rating 34

NGC Verdict: “While it’s taken some time for a new King of the Crossovers to arrive, Renault’s all-new Kadjar easily takes the title. Efficient, comfortable, spacious and good value for money, the Kadjar raises the bar in the crossover segment.”

COMMENDED: Mazda CX-3 1.5 Skyactiv-D – 105 g/km – NGC Rating 35

SUV Award 2015

WINNER: Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV – CO₂ 42 g/km – NGC Rating 38*

NGC Verdict: “The new and significantly improved Outlander PHEV builds on the considerable success of the outgoing model. While still cheap to run, now with a refined cabin and driving experience, the new model secures Mitsubishi as a key player in the PHEV market.”  

COMMENDED: Volvo XC90 T8 TwinEngine – 49 g/km – NGC Rating 53*

Executive Award 2015

WINNER: Jaguar XE 2.0d – CO₂ 99 g/km – NGC Rating 36

NGC Verdict: “A true Jaguar, the new XE beats its rivals for style, comfort and fuel-frugality. A great driving experience combines with advanced engines to offer a superb – and very British – executive car.”

COMMENDED: Mercedes Benz C-Class C350e – 48 g/km – NGC Rating 37

Next Generation Award 2015

WINNER: Tesla Model X EV – CO₂ 0 g/km – NGC Rating TBC**

NGC Verdict: “As Tesla’s most advanced electric car yet, the Model X is smart in form and function. With its added space and falcon-wing doors, it has the potential to be even more popular than the Model S. Tesla continues to move from strength to strength.”

COMMENDED: BMW 330e PHEV – 49 g/km – NGC Rating TBC**

* NGC – Rating estimated

** TBC – Awaiting official data

For more information about the 10 Next Green Car 2015 award winners and commended models, visit:http://www.nextgreencar.com/awards-2015/.

They may be good for the environment, but they are really REALLY bad for your bank balance.

Fluence, C-Zero and LEAF all lose more than three-quarters of their value

Three electric cars are among the worst first year depreciators in a “Bottom 10” released by motor trade valuation market leaders Glass’s.

The Renault Fluence, Citroen C-Zero and Nissan LEAF E have all lost more than three-quarters of their value after covering 12,000 miles during the last 12 months.

Rupert Pontin, head of valuations at Glass, said: “The motor trade and the used car buying public remain interested in electric cars but are still reticent to actually buy them in numbers – and these depreciation figures reflect that fact.

“To be fair, these three EVs are among some of the least attractive on the market – the Fluence and C-Zero both have a ‘last generation’ feel while the LEAF E is on the bottom rung of the LEAF range – but their presence does reflect the fact that the EV sector remains sluggish.”

Other models in the list include the lowest-powered, entry level versions of some generally popular but aging models such as the Vauxhall Insignia and Renault Megane.

Rupert explained: “There is very little enthusiasm in the market generally for poorly-equipped cars and if those cars are also becoming dated and have an older power unit, it really hits their prospects in the used market.”

However, Rupert added, these highly depreciating cars now arguably represented excellent value for money.

“It would be difficult to recommend a new Renault Fluence costing more than £22,000 but one that is around £5,000-£6,000 at 12 months old is arguably a good buy for someone looking to try EV motoring.”

1. Renault FLUENCE E Z.E. (95bhp) Expression+ saloon four door auto   2. Vauxhall MERIVA 1.4 16v (99bhp) Expression MPV five door (2010 MY) 3. Chevrolet CRUZE 1.4 (100ps) 4X4 LS station wagon five door 1398cc (2014 MY) 4. Citroen C-ZERO E hatchback five door auto 5. Nissan LEAF E hatchback five door auto 6. Renault MEGANE 1.6 (100bhp) Extreme estate five door  7. Vauxhall INSIGNIA 1.4i 16v Turbo (140ps) SRi saloon 4d 1364cc (2012.5 MY)     8. Peugeot 207 SW 1.4 8v (75bhp) Access estate five door  9. Chevrolet ORLANDO 1.4 Turbo (140ps) LS five door 1364cc (2014 MY) 10.  Peugeot 308 1.6VTi (120bhp) Access hatchback five door 1598cc (2013.5 MY)

27.21% 29.05% 31.78% 32.07% 33.23% 33.26% 34.98% 35.62% 35.96% 36.04%

Percentage retained value after 12 months/12,000 miles.

Renault-Nissan Alliance sells the 250,000th EV car to a Frenchman from Bordeaux.

• Historic EV milestone reached in early June
• Alliance sells about half of all EVs globally
• EV sales up nearly 15 percent through May vs. same period last year
• Nissan LEAF remains world's best-selling EV
• Frenchman from Bordeaux bought 250,000^th Alliance EV: a Renault ZOE

The Renault-Nissan Alliance, the world's leader in zero-emission mobility, has sold its 250,000th electric vehicle: a white Renault ZOE sold to a French engineer.

The Alliance reached the historic milestone in early June, 4 ½ years after the launch of the Nissan LEAF, the world's first mass-market zero-emission vehicle.*  The Alliance today accounts for about half of the electric vehicles sold worldwide. Nissan LEAF remains the best-selling electric vehicle of all time, with more than 180,000 units sold.

From January through May, the Alliance sold about 31,700 EVs – up nearly 15 percent over the same period of last year.

"Demand for our electric vehicles continues to grow thanks to government incentives and the expanding charging infrastructure," said Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and CEO of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. "The positive response of our customers is also driving demand. These vehicles enjoy some of the highest levels of satisfaction rates from our customers around the world."

Frenchman from Bordeaux takes delivery of 250,000^th EV

The 250,000th owner is Yves Nivelle, a computer engineer, who traded in his 21-year-old diesel car for the subcompact Renault ZOE. Nivelle bought his EV after the French government introduced an environmental bonus in April to allow owners of older, polluting diesel cars to trade them in and get a rebate of €10,000 on a new EV.

"The government's environmental bonus was a big factor in my decision to get an EV," Nivelle said. "But I have to say, I was convinced the first time I drove the car. It's a real pleasure to drive and it feels good to do my part for the environment."

Alliance has full range of six 100% EVs; Renault leads in Europe

With six models on the road, the Renault-Nissan Alliance is the only global car group with a full range of 100% electric vehicles. 

In addition to the LEAF, Nissan also sells the e-NV200 van, which has been on sale in Europe and Japan since last year. In addition to the ZOE, Renault also sells the Renault Kangoo Z.E van, the SM3 Z.E. sedan and the Twizy, a two-seater urban commuter vehicle.

Yokohama, Japan-based Nissan has sold 185,000 electric vehicles worldwide since December 2010, when the Nissan LEAF went on sale. LEAF has collected numerous industry honors, including the 2011 World Car of the Year, European Car of the Year 2011, and Car of the Year Japan 2011-2012.

The LEAF is sold in 46 markets. Nissan's top EV markets are the United States, with about 80,000 sales since LEAF's launch, Japan with about 53,500 units, and Europe with about 41,500.
   

Renault, based in Boulogne-Billancourt, France, has sold 65,000 electric vehicles worldwide since its first model, the Kangoo Z.E., went on sale in October 2011. Kangoo Z.E. was voted International Van of the Year 2012.

Renault was the No. 1 EV brand in Europe for the last two months, with a market share of 26 percent. Renault's top markets are France, the United Kingdom, Germany and Norway. 

In France, where ZOE is the most popular EV with almost half the market, the government's environmental bonus allows drivers to lease the ZOE, including the battery, for as little as €99 a month.

The Renault-Nissan Alliance was recently chosen as the official passenger-car provider for the United Nation's COP21 climate conference in Paris from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11. 

The Alliance will provide a fleet of 200 EVs to shuttle delegates to the annual conference. It will be the first time the U.N. will use a zero-emission fleet for its entire passenger car shuttle at a COP event.

To see our video news release and EV milestone infographic, click here: www.media.blog.alliance-renault-nissan.com/news/5472

*No CO₂ emissions and no regulated atmospheric pollutants while driving according to homologation cycle (NEDC).

USA - Chevrolet announces pricing and specs for the 2016 MY Volt Hybrid vehicle.

The Chevrolet Volt is poised to continue to bring new owners to the electric plug-in family. Pricing will be as low as $26,495 after the full federal tax credit of $7,500. (Federal tax credit can range from $0 up to $7,500.) In California, the vehicle’s largest market, residents of the state will be able to purchase the all-new Volt for as low as $24,995 after state and federal incentives.

The 2016 model will start at $33,995 MSRP, including an $825 destination fee (excluding tax, title, license and dealer fees). This is almost $1,200 less than the current-generation Volt.

“The next-generation Chevrolet Volt delivers more technology, the ability to drive further between gas fill-ups and now with even more value to our customers. It’s what our loyal Volt owners told us they wanted,” said Steve Majoros, director, Chevrolet Marketing. “We are confident we will continue to attract new customers to Volt with the vehicle’s product improvements and attractive price.”

The Volt continues to be a success with the brand, with nearly 70 percent of Volt owners trading in a non-GM product or adding to their household fleet in 2014, the highest of any Chevy nameplate. The number one trade-in for the Volt is the Toyota Prius. To date, more than 75,000 first-generation Volt owners have driven hundreds of millions of EV miles.

Volt owners who charge regularly can expect to drive an estimated 1,000 miles or more between fill-ups, based on GM testing. The 2016 Volt will provide owners with impressive fuel economy of a GM-estimated 102 MPGe (electric) and 41 combined mpg on gasoline power.

The new Volt will offer a GM-estimated 50 miles of all-electric driving range on a single charge, a 31-percent improvement over the first-generation Volt. This means new Volt owners should anticipate that approximately 90 percent of trips in a new Volt will be driven all-electrically.

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 115 countries and selling around 4.8 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value.

From Zero to market Leader in less than a year, thats the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, and its deserved.

Less than one year from launch the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has now overtaken every other plug-in hybrid and pure electric car, even passing vehicles that have been on sale since 2011, such as the Nissan Leaf, to become the UK’s favourite plug-in vehicle.

By the end of March, sales of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV will have passed the 10,000 mark.

Mitsubishi Motors’ UK Managing Director, Lance Bradley said: “This is certainly a satisfying achievement for us but more significantly it is an indication that this newly developing market is beginning to decide which electric vehicle technology delivers the right balance of low emission driving, value for money, economy and practicality.”

Mitsubishi’s Outlander Plug-in electric vehicle (PHEV) has transformed the plug-in market. The Outlander PHEV has an all-electric range of up to 32.5 miles and phenomenal economy and environmental credentials. It emits just 44g/km of CO₂ and the official combined fuel consumption figure is 148mpg. And, critically, it is available at the same price to the customer as the equivalent specification Outlander diesel.

The company is seeing a strong and sustained period of growth. Mitsubishi Motors’ UK passenger car sales for February 2015 are 178 per cent up on the same month last year against a market that is up 12 per cent, according to latest figures released by the SMMT.

The company’s ASX active sports cross-over car is 92 per cent up year to date, the result of a high profile TV and press marketing campaign. The iconic L200 pick-up vehicle is making a dramatic impact in the retail sales sector. It is 42 per cent ahead of the same month last year, following the launch of the L200 Challenger – the company’s best ever value for money pick-up.

February retail sales for Outlander diesel and Shogun are equally impressive, up 67 per cent and 77 per cent respectively compared with 2014.