2017 CleanTechnica Car of the Year Award — and the winner is…

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Whether you’re having a party or having indigestion over the new US president-elect, 2017 is going to be an exciting year for EVs, with the first truly affordable* long-distance EVs getting to customers. 2017 is shaping up to be the year that the affordable EV goes big, with the much anticipated Chevy Bolt and the updated Renault Zoe (with its breakthrough 400 km range) rolling out en masse, as well as the competitive and perhaps widely available Hyundai IONIQ, Toyota Prius Prime, and Chrysler Pacific Hybrid (PHEV). And that’s not even mentioning what is due in the second half of 2017 (hint: Tesla Model 3).

Perhaps you’re set on locking down an affordable commuter that just so happens to come in an all-electric version. The Hyundai Ioniq Electric has already received glowing reviews from long-time EV/Tesla enthusiast Bjorn Nyland and quite a few others.

Maybe the thought of a fully electric car is still stress-inducing but the comfort of the established Toyota Prius brand brings comfort. The cost-competitive (even compared to the conventional Prius hybrid) Toyota Prius Prime and its 25 miles of all-electric range — capable of running in electric mode at freeway speeds (something the previous generation Prius could not do) — could be just what you’re looking for. The Prius Prime is already moving off the lot in good numbers.

Or maybe you’re looking for a minivan to haul around your growing family (as is my brother in law). 2017 has your back in the form of the Chrysler Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid. #thanks2017

If you’re as excited about electric cars as we are, you probably took the time out of your day to vote for the 2017 CleanTechnica Car of the Year award, and I’m stoked to announce the winner today. Without further ado, the winner is …

… the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt!

People were obviously excited about the first affordable, long-range EV to hit streets around the US (and hopefully around the world before too long) and they flooded the polls.

The full results are below and it’s clear that the Bolt is by far the most anticipated cleantech car of the year by a landslide. What’s fantastic about the Bolt is that it’s also one of the earliest vehicles of 2017 to hit streets, as there were even a few hundred deliveries in December. My local dealership called me this week to share that they have a few Bolts in … and that they have already been purchased.

If you’re interested in the Bolt (or really, any of these EVs), head to your local dealership or give them a ring to see when they will be in.

2017 CleanTechnica Car of the Year Voting Results

Thanks for taking the time to think through all of our criteria and each of the vehicles nominated.

We are thrilled about the Bolt and the other EVs making their grand entrance in 2017. This is already shaping up to be a great EV year, and there’s a lot more to come in the remaining 355 days or so.

If you’re looking to buy a Tesla, feel free to use my referral link (here) to save $1,000, which is the only way to get a discount on a new Tesla.

“Affordable” based on US average purchase price of new cars.


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Kyle Field

I'm a tech geek passionately in search of actionable ways to reduce the negative impact my life has on the planet, save money and reduce stress. Live intentionally, make conscious decisions, love more, act responsibly, play. The more you know, the less you need. As an activist investor, Kyle owns long term holdings in Tesla, Lightning eMotors, Arcimoto, and SolarEdge.

Kyle Field has 1654 posts and counting. See all posts by Kyle Field