Kia Wins “PHEV Manufacturer of the Year” at GreenFleet Awards 2017 & Kia Niro PHEV + Kia Optima Sportswagon PHEV Win at Next Green Car Awards 2017
December 5th, 2017 by James Ayre
Kia Motors has won the “PHEV Manufacturer of the Year” award at GreenFleet Awards 2017, according to an email sent to CleanTechnica. Additionally, two of the company’s new offerings, the Kia Niro PHEV (plug-in hybrid) SUV and the Optima Sportswagon PHEV, won their categories at the Next Green Car Awards 2017.
With regard to the win at GreenFleet Awards 2017, the award for PHEV Manufacturer of the Year was granted to Kia on the back of the strengths of the company’s new Optima Sportswagon PHEV and Niro PHEV models — the very two models that won their categories at the separate Next Green Car Awards 2017.
With regard to the wins at the Next Green Car Awards 2017, the Kia Niro PHEV won the Crossover/SUV category and the Optima Sportswagon PHEV won the Estate category — with the two wins following on Kia’s success at the awards in 2016 as well.
Here’s more from a press release on the matter: “Both launched this year, the Niro and Optima Sportswagon PHEVs are another big step towards Kia’s aim of reducing the average CO2 emissions of its entire range by 25%, by 2020. The Niro PHEV can drive for up to 36 miles on electric power alone, whilst the Optima Sportswagon PHEV can travel for up to 38 miles in all-electric mode.” (Those are NEDC ratings — so, unrealistic.)
That’s still probably enough to meet many owners’ daily driving needs, and thus represents an arguably effective way for some drivers to “go electric” while maintaining the possibility of making occasional longer trips using the hybrid system.
A rep for Next Green Car commented: “Kia is one of the market leaders in terms of PHEV electric range, and the Niro Plug-In Hybrid benefits from this focus. Throw in the fact that the PHEV technology is wrapped up in practical crossover packaging, and the Niro Plug-In Hybrid is expected to quickly climb the electric vehicle sales charts. For those wanting value-for-money motoring, practicality, and a plug-in powertrain, the Optima Sportswagon Plug-In Hybrid is one of the best options around. With a long electric range and load-lugging potential, Kia’s Optima estate opens up PHEV models to many buyers that need a large car but with low running costs.”
About the Author
James Ayre 's background is predominantly in geopolitics and history, but he has an obsessive interest in pretty much everything. After an early life spent in the Imperial Free City of Dortmund, James followed the river Ruhr to Cofbuokheim, where he attended the University of Astnide. And where he also briefly considered entering the coal mining business. He currently writes for a living, on a broad variety of subjects, ranging from science, to politics, to military history, to renewable energy. You can follow his work on Google+.
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