These days, eco-friendly cars are available in numerous styles, sizes, and price points. The Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) recently gave the Nissan Leaf the 2019 Canadian Green Car of the Year award and the Jaguar I-PACE the 2019 Canadian Green Utility Vehicle of the Year award. The announcement was made during the Vancouver International Auto Show.
The awards enable environmentally aware Canadians to make informed decisions when purchasing a new car or utility vehicle, according to Mark Richardson, President of AJAC. “If they can save money on fuel while also driving a vehicle with low emissions – or no emissions at all – then everybody wins,” he said in a statement.
To be eligible for the awards, the vehicles must meet standard requirements for the Canadian Car of the Year awards program as well as rules for fuel efficiency. Throughout the year, AJAC journalists test each vehicle in various road conditions and road surfaces. Vehicles are graded on recharge time, driving range, vehicle dynamics, market significance, and overall value. They’re also compared to their market segment competition, green or not.
The Nissan Leaf is the world’s best-selling electric car based on data from 2010 to 2017. It has a base price of US$29,990. The 2019 Leaf S Plus has an EPA range of 226 miles. It features standard Automatic Emergency Braking, available Blind Spot Warning, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. Drivers can extend the range by using Eco Mode. B Mode enables drivers on downhills to add some charge back to the battery.
Leaf owners can charge their cars at home or at public charging stations. Level one involves a standard wall outlet, level two is 240V charging, and level three involves DC quacking charging.
The all-electric 2019 Jaguar I-PACE SUV has a base price of US$69,500. It features 349 HP and all-wheel drive traction. It accelerates 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds. It also has active air suspension, adaptive dynamics, adaptive surface response, and enhanced brake regeneration.
The I-PACE automatically stops charging when it reaches a full charge. The system is self-contained, so the vehicle can be charged in any type of weather, including rain and snow. Like the Leaf, it can be charged at home or at public charging stations. With a typical 50 kW DC rapid charger, the I-PACE can achieve a 0-80 per cent charge in 85 minutes. It can also accommodate up to a 100 kW DC charge rate and achieve a 0-80 per cent charge in just 45 minutes. Charge time depends on the service provider because public AC and DC chargers can have a range of outputs.
