Green Car Journal Names Finalists for Green Car and SUV of the YearGreen Car Journal Names Finalists for Green Car and SUV of the Year

All the Car of the Year finalists are battery-electric for the first time, though there are some hybrid SUV finalists.

Dan Carney, Senior Editor

November 2, 2021

10 Slides
pjimage (18).jpg

Already have an account?

Lexus, BMW, Audi, Volkswagen, Volvo, Hyundai

Clean energy car site Green Car Journal’s roster of 2022 Green Car of the Year finalists reflects the accelerating electrification of the automotive industry. When the publication launched its award 17 years ago, combustion engine-powered cars were the standard, even for green cars, with non-plug-in hybridization available on a few models to boost their fuel efficiency.

The 2022 list of finalists is the GCJ’s first such group comprised entirely of battery electric vehicles. "This marks the first time in Green Car of the Year's 17-year history that all finalists are battery electric vehicles, and the only time a truck has made the Green Car of the Year field," said Ron Cogan, editor, and publisher of Green Car Journal. "In fact, electrification is so important to 'green' cars today that almost every 2022 Green Car Awards finalist includes a battery electric, plug-in hybrid, or hybrid powertrain option."

In addition to Cogan, Green Car Journal's annual Green Car of the Year winner is selected by a credible jury representing important energy efficiency and environmental organizations, plus celebrity auto expert Jay Leno and Green Car Journal staff. This year's invited Green Car of the Year jury includes Dr. Alan Lloyd, president emeritus of the International Council on Clean Transportation and senior research fellow at the Energy Institute, the University of Texas at Austin; Mindy Lubber, president of CERES; Paula Glover, president of the Alliance to Save Energy; Matt Petersen, president and CEO of Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator and advisory board chair of Climate Mayors; and Joseph K. Lyou, president and CEO of the Coalition for Clean Air.

Related:GM Ultium EV Motors Reduce Rare Earth Metals for 2022 Hummer SUV

For an idea what to expect when the final winners are named, check this video of the winners from last year's award. 

To get an idea of the possible winners for 2022, click through our slideshow. The first five are the overall "Car of the Year" candidates, even though the category includes all vehicle types, and the next five are candidates for "SUV of the Year." The appearance of a very capable off-roader among the top green SUVs is a particular surprise to look for.

About the Author

Dan Carney

Senior Editor, Design News

Dan’s coverage of the auto industry over three decades has taken him to the racetracks, automotive engineering centers, vehicle simulators, wind tunnels, and crash-test labs of the world.

A member of the North American Car, Truck, and Utility of the Year jury, Dan also contributes car reviews to Popular Science magazine, serves on the International Engine of the Year jury, and has judged the collegiate Formula SAE competition.

Dan is a winner of the International Motor Press Association's Ken Purdy Award for automotive writing, as well as the National Motorsports Press Association's award for magazine writing and the Washington Automotive Press Association's Golden Quill award.

AstonMartinVanquish_©AndyMorgan_025_copy_2.JPG

He has held a Sports Car Club of America racing license since 1991, is an SCCA National race winner, two-time SCCA Runoffs competitor in Formula F, and an Old Dominion Region Driver of the Year award winner. Co-drove a Ford Focus 1.0-liter EcoBoost to 16 Federation Internationale de l’Automobile-accredited world speed records over distances from just under 1km to over 4,104km at the CERAM test circuit in Mortefontaine, France.

He was also a longtime contributor to the Society of Automotive Engineers' Automotive Engineering International magazine.

He specializes in analyzing technical developments, particularly in the areas of motorsports, efficiency, and safety.

He has been published in The New York Times, NBC News, Motor Trend, Popular Mechanics, The Washington Post, Hagerty, AutoTrader.com, Maxim, RaceCar Engineering, AutoWeek, Virginia Living, and others.

Dan has authored books on the Honda S2000 and Dodge Viper sports cars and contributed automotive content to the consumer finance book, Fight For Your Money.

He is a member and past president of the Washington Automotive Press Association and is a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers

Sign up for Design News newsletters

You May Also Like