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Clean Diesel Cars Again Among Finalists For "Green Car of the Year" Award


diesel technology

Diesels Have Won Two "Green Car of the YearŽ" Awards & Had 10 Finalists Since 2005

WASHINGTON -- Oct. 21, 2014: Clean diesel cars were included among the five finalist positions for 2015 "Green Car of the YearŽ" award with the Audi A3 TDI clean diesel car and the Volkswagen Golf, which offers a new 2.0 liter TDI clean diesel, gasoline and electric engines, being named as finalists today.

The other finalists are the BMW i3, Chevrolet Impala Bi-Fuel and Honda Fit, according to Ron Cogan, the editor and publisher of the Green Car Journal (Green Car Journal) which inaugurated the award in 2005.

Since the "Green Car of the YearŽ" award was created 10 years ago, clean diesels have had 10 finalists and two winners, with the Volkswagen Jetta TDI clean diesel winning in 2009 and the Audi A3 TDI clean diesel winning in 2010.

"We're pleased to see the new generation of clean diesel cars recognized again by the 2015 "Green Car of the YearŽ" award and the editors of the Green Car Journal," said Allen Schaeffer, the Executive Director of the Diesel Technology Forum (Diesel Forum).

"While clean diesel cars make up around one percent of the entire U.S. car market, they have received 20 percent of the finalist nominations since the "Green Car of the YearŽ" award was launched in 2005. This is a reflection of the impressive fuel efficiency, advanced diesel engine and emission technology, and cleaner diesel fuel that is common to all of today's clean diesel cars and pickup trucks," Schaeffer said.

"Today, consumers have more shades of green to choose from than ever before, and the selection panel is really going to have their work cut out for them. It's a great success story that there are so many choices and where clean diesel can compete in such a competitive field of advanced technology vehicles."

The winner of the "Green Car of the YearŽ" award will be announced November 20th at the LA Auto Show. To read the press release "Finalists Announced For 2015 "Green Car Of The YearŽ" go to:

Finalists

According to the Green Car Journal: "During the award's vetting process, Green Car Journal editors consider all vehicles, fuels, and technologies as an expansive field of potential candidates is narrowed down to a final five. Finalists are selected for their achievements in raising the bar in environmental performance. Availability to the mass market is a factor to ensure honored models have the potential to make a real difference in environmental impact, and finalists must be available for sale by January 1st of the award year."

Schaeffer also noted clean diesel vehicles received another award this year for the new technology as the 2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel pickup truck with the highest estimated EPA highway fuel economy of all light-duty pickups at 28 mpg was selected Motor Trend's "2014 Truck of the YearŽ".

What Is a Clean Diesel Passenger Vehicle?

The fleet of light-duty diesel cars, trucks and SUVs typically achieve a 20-40 percent improvement in fuel economy and 10-20 percent reduction in emissions when compared to a similar gasoline powered vehicle (www.fueleconomy.gov).

Automakers are introducing more diesel-powered models every year and consumers are warming up to the efficiency and unique characteristics of the powertrain. In fact, many drivers report fuel economy benefits that consistently rival a hybrid.

While clean diesel cars make up about one percent of the U.S. car market, when diesel pickup trucks are included the market share increases to about three percent of the total market. Schaeffer said many analysts predict the diesel market share will increase to 7-to-10 percent of the total market by 2020.

The benefits of the growth in the light-duty diesel market are real. The number of diesels on the road since 2005 have reduced emissions by 7.6M tonnes of CO2 and saved 29 million barrels of crude oil. This is equivalent to reducing consumption of gasoline by 1.2 billion gallons or removing 1.6 million vehicles from the road for a year. The growth in the diesel market is expected to reduce a further 7.7 million tons and save another 31 million barrels of crude oil.