BMW's i3, an innovative electric car built with a lightweight carbon fiber passenger cell and an aluminum drive module, has been named Green Car Journal's 2015 Green Car of the Year®, which was announced at the LA Auto Show.

1. BMW i3 NAMED GREEN CAR JOURNAL'S 2015 GREEN CAR OF THE YEAR"
Milestone Carbon Fiber Electric Car Wins the Auto Industry's Most Important Environmental Award
at Los Angeles Auto Show
LOS ANGELES, CA (November 20, 2014) – BMW's i3, an innovative electric car built with a lightweight
carbon fiber passenger cell and an aluminum drive module, has been named Green Car Journal's
2015 Green Car of the Year®, which was announced at the LA Auto Show. Green Car of the Year®
finalists also included the Audi A3 TDI, Chevrolet Impala Bi‐Fuel, Honda Fit, and VW Golf.
The Green Car of the Year® award is an honor widely recognized as the auto industry's most
important environmental accolade. Green Car Journal, the leading voice in the intersection of
automobiles, energy, and the environment since the publication's launch in 1992, celebrates the
high‐profile award's 10th anniversary at the L.A. Auto Show this year.
"BMW's i3 is a milestone vehicle in many respects and illustrates the automaker's expansive vision of
future motoring," said Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of Green Car Journal and CarsOfChange.com.
"It is purposefully designed with a small environmental footprint and zero emissions, offering the
best features of an electric vehicle with the functionality of an available on board engine‐generator
that nearly doubles its battery electric range."
The first all‐electric vehicle to win Green Car Journal's Green Car of the Year®, the i3 benefits from
BMW's years‐long 'project i' initiative that focuses on future mobility and strategies for sustainable
transportation. The result is a unique approach that finds the i3 embracing technologies, materials,
and construction methods breaking new ground for a mainstream model. While the i3 is designed as
a battery electric car, its optional REx gasoline engine‐generator enables extended driving range with
electricity created on board easing potential range anxiety.
"Unlike other manufacturers that build vehicles and then create advanced powertrains to go in
them, BMW rethought the whole process of building a car from the ground‐up, using new materials
and techniques," said noted TV personality and avid car collector Jay Leno, pointing out one of many
strengths the i3 had going into the competition. Leno has been one of Green Car Journal's Green Car
of the Year® jurors since the award program launched in 2005.
Along with Leno, the Green Car of the Year® jury includes leaders of noted environmental and
efficiency organizations including Jean‐Michel Cousteau, president of Ocean Futures Society; Matt
Petersen, board member of Global Green USA; Mindy Lubber, President of CERES; Kateri Callahan,
President of the Alliance to Save Energy, and Dr. Alan Lloyd, President Emeritus of the International
Council on Clean Transportation and former CalEPA Secretary and Chairman of the California Air
Resources Board. The jury is rounded out by a smaller number of Green Car Journal editors.
The magazine's extensive vetting process considers all vehicles, fuels, and technologies as the field of
nominees is narrowed down to five finalists that significantly raise the bar in environmental
performance. Vehicles that are all‐new, or in the early stages of their model lifecycle, are considered
and finalists must be on sale by January 1 of the award year. Availability and market significance are

2. factors to ensure that models have the potential to make a real impact on improving air quality,
reducing greenhouse gases, and promoting transportation efficiency.
As finalists for 2015 Green Car of the Year®, the Audi A3 TDI, BMW i3, Chevrolet Impala Bi‐Fuel,
Honda Fit, and Volkswagen Golf are additionally honored with Green Car Journal's 2015 Green Car
Product of Excellence™.
About Green Car of the Year®
The GCOY award is an important part of Green Car Journal's mission to showcase environmental
progress in the auto industry. Since 1992, Green Car Journal has focused on the intersection of
automobiles, energy, and environment. Today, the magazine is considered the premier source of
information on high fuel efficiency, low emission, advanced technology, and alternative fuel vehicles.
CarsOfChange.com presents 'green car' articles online along with a focus on infotainment and
connectivity. Green Car of the Year® is a registered trademark of Green Car Journal and RJ Cogan
Specialty Publications Group, Inc.
About the Los Angeles Auto Show and Connected Car Expo
The Los Angeles Auto Show was founded in 1907, and is the first major North American auto show of
the season each year. Press and Trade show days for the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show will be held on
Nov. 18‐20. The show will be open to the public Nov. 21 – Nov. 30. The Connected Car Expo (CCE) is
the automotive industry's most authoritative showcase of new mobility solutions and will take place
on November 18, and continue in conjunction with the 2014 LA Auto Show® Press & Trade Days. The
LA Auto Show is endorsed by the Greater L.A. New Car Dealer Association and is operated by ANSA
Productions. To receive the latest show news and information, follow the Los Angeles Auto Show on
Twitter at twitter.com/LAAutoShow or via Facebook at facebook.com/LosAngelesAutoShow and sign
up for alerts at www.LAAutoShow.com. For more information on CCE please visit
http://connectedcarexpo.com/