It’s a good year for electric vehicles, with German automotive giant Volkswagen’s ID.3, the Honda e, and the Polestar 2 all driving away with category wins in the German Car of the Year Awards.
A panel of 18 respected motoring journalists from across Germany announced this week the five category winners of their prestigious German Car of the Year Awards. The final Car of the Year will be selected from among these five category winners.
Cars were marked against a variety of criteria including design, driving pleasure, drivetrain, handling, quality, comfort, practicality, safety, environment, infotainment, significance, and price/performance ratio.
Volkswagen’s bestselling ID.3 EV won the Best Car award in the ‘Premium’ category for cars below €50,000, beating out all comers including Audi, BMW, Land Rover, and Mercedes-Benz.
The Honda e won Best Car in the ‘New Energy’ category, awarded to vehicles with alternative powertrains, which nominated all new EVs and newly-introduced EV versions of existing series, as well as vehicles with hydrogen drives.
“The Honda e is at the heart of Honda’s advanced electrification strategy that goes beyond mere mobility,” said Nozomu Yamashiro, president of Honda Germany.
“We are very happy to be winners in this future-oriented category. Honda will continue to provide its customers in Germany with innovative technologies in order to drive progress in the field of mobility and everyday life.”
Sino-Swedish EV manufacturer and Volvo subsidiary, Polestar, saw its Polestar 2 awarded the ‘Luxury’ category win, beating out other vehicles in excess of €50,000 – which not only included the Tesla Model Y, but cars from Aston Martin, BMW, Bentley, and Ferrari.
“It has always been our aim to bring more than just an electric alternative to the market, to develop a car that inspires customers with its design, innovation and performance,” said Thomas Ingenlath, CEO of Polestar. “We are proud that the jury has recognised Polestar 2 in this way.”
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.