The 2022 Best Green Car and Utility Vehicle awards have been announced by AJAC at this year’s EcoRun event. The winners are the Polestar 2, and the Volvo XC40 Recharge, respectively.
The entrants to the awards were scored on recharge time, driving range, vehicle dynamics, market significance and overall value. The automaker’s overall sustainability efforts were also a determining factor.
Both of the winning vehicles come from the Geely Holding Group, which owns both Polestar and Volvo brands, and these are both the first EV models on the market from the two manufacturers.
The Polestar OEM was created to produce electric vehicles, and the 2 is its first mass-produced EV. It’s a premium 5-door hatchback/crossover, and it shares the same battery and electric motors with Volvo’s first all-electric effort: the XC40 Recharge.
The XC40 Recharge is powered by twin electric motors, one on the front and one on the rear axle, with a 78 kWh battery that can be fast-charged from 10 to 80 per cent in about 33 minutes.
“At Volvo, sustainability is just as important as safety,” said Matt Girgis, managing director, Volvo Car Canada Ltd. “The XC40 Recharge earning the prestigious AJAC Green Utility Vehicle of the Year award confirms that we are on the right track. Additionally, with the XC40 recently being awarded TSP+ award, Volvo is now the most awarded TSP+ auto manufacturer, further showcasing our commitment to safety in tandem with sustainability.”
The EcoRun is an annual AJAC event that shows off a variety of eco-friendly vehicles, which include pure electrics, plug-in and conventional hybrids, hydrogen fuel cells, diesel-fuelled powertrains and highly-efficient gasoline options.
