For immediate release
18 July 2016
BMW i3, i8 and 330e Awarded
- The BMW 330e won the Medium EV & Hybrid category AND is the Overall Winner for the 2016 awards.
- The BMW i3 won the City Electric category for the second consecutive year.
- The BMW i8 won the Sports EV & Hybrid category, for the second consecutive year.
BMW won an incredible four awards, more than any other brand. This includes our overall winner award, for the BMW 330e plug-in hybrid. Judges felt that the car offers excellent value for money with a useable electric range that provides superb economy around town or on a commute. The practicality and convenience of the impressive 2-litre four-cylinder engine combines to offer near unrivalled performance and flexibility. Built on a class leader to begin with, awards judges commented that the 330e is a near no-compromise car that excels in all manner of different driving scenarios.
Additionally, the BMW i3 and i8 both won their respective categories for the second year running, despite increased competition. Recent battery updates to the i3 have kept it in a leading position as a premium city car, while the i8’s carbon-fibre build, innovative approach to design and relative price to rivals ensure that it remains a firm favourite.
Jonathan commented: “The BMW and BMW i brands have clearly embraced electrification with both hands. Their approach to design and ability to incorporate electric components into their entire range is both impressive and hugely successful.
“The BMW 330e is a fantastic all-rounder that excels in so many areas. It’s a high performance car if desired, or a zero-emission run-around on demand. While others can pull off the same trick, the BMW is able to capitalise on its mass-produced roots where it is frequently seen as the best in its class.
“The i3 and i8 have both won their awards for the second consecutive year and this is no real surprise. They are still unrivalled in what they are able to offer, despite stiff competition in both categories. Their carbon-fibre build remains unique to them and their performance is exciting.”
AutoVolt Electric and Hybrid Awards 2016
- The awards celebrate electrified and ultra-low emission vehicles.
- Ten category winners, from city to super cars, plus an overall winner.
AutoVolt’s annual Electric and Hybrid Awards offer a unique rating of the fast growing electrified vehicle market.
The prestigious awards are the only ones in the UK to focus solely on battery- electric vehicles (EVs), hybrids, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and, for the first time, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCVs).
This year’s awards were the most difficult yet for the team of judges, who were presented with an enormous increase in number of ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs) to choose from.
Judges were impressed by the high quality of vehicles and the significant savings they represent, in tax and fuel economy, to the consumer. Vehicles were judged on their quality, value for money, lifetime cost of ownership, equipment, drivability and, more subjectively, appearance.
The winners from the ten categories consist of four electric vehicles, four plug-in hybrids, a hybrid and a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, demonstrating the huge diversity now available as alternatives to petrol and diesel.
Jonathan Musk, founder and editor of AutoVolt, said: “Every car we looked at was worthy of winning its class. There was no bad egg. The final decision was painstakingly arrived at after much deliberation because the quality of vehicles was so high. There is now an electrified vehicle to suit everyone, whereas just last year the choice was much more limited. This shows the progress being made in the industry today and that consumers are switching on to the tax and fuel savings that can be had from a ULEV.”
The awards are included in the latest issue of AutoVolt (Jul-Aug 2016), alongside a new column by renowned EV enthusiast and celebrity, Robert Llewellyn and other news and articles relating to electric and hybrid vehicles.
To find out more, visit: www.autovolt-magazine.com
Note to Editors.
AutoVolt is the UK’s leading UK consumer magazine dedicated to electric and hybrid vehicles. Founded in 2013, the bi-monthly magazine showcases the electrified automotive world and makes it easily understood and accessible to a consumer audience.
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