Chevy Bolt Wins 2017 Green Car of the Year

The Chevrolet Bolt grabbed 2017 Green Car of the Year honors for it's promise of bringing long-range electric driving to the masses. At an estimated price of $30,000 after tax breaks, the plug-in Bolt will be less than half the price of the only other cars that can go more than 200 miles on a single charge -- the Tesla Model S and Model X. The Bolt can go 238 miles on a charge.

The Tesla Model 3, which also promises electric driving for the masses, won't be available until the end of next year, at the earliest, while the first Bolts are due in showrooms this month.

It marks the second big award for the Bolt, as it also won the Motor Trend Car of the Year award.

Affordability is one of the factors considered by the award's judges because a car must be widely affordable to have the greatest possible environmental impact. Price has been an obstacle to Tesla's contention for the award.

Other finalists for the 2017 award are plug-in electric cars that also have a gasoline-powered motor that can extend their range: the BMW 330e iPerformance, Chrysler Pacifica, Kia Optima, and Toyota Prius Prime. The Pacifica is the first electric minivan. The Toyota Prius Prime is a plug-in version of the first hybrid car.