BMW i3 becomes first EV to win Green Car award

This is the first time a high-end electric car has ever bagged such an award; the lower-priced Nissan Leaf was nominated for it around three years ago, but ultimately Chevrolet Volt, in a similar price segment, sped-off with the title.

The energy-efficient and environment-friendly i3, beat Honda Fit, Audi A3 TDI, the Volkswagen Golf, and the Chevrolet Impala Bi-Fuel to bag the award.

The BMW i3 provides around 90 miles (144km) per charge of its battery pack, and its price starts at $41,350.

The i3 is powered by a 125-kilowatt electric motor that can deliver power up to 170-hp. The sleek car had also obtained an impressive fuel rating of 124 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The i3 originated from the BMW's ''i project,'' a multi-billion endeavour that also paved the way for the production of the sporty i8.

According to BMW, 12,000 units of the i3 were already sold after its unveiling in 2013 in Germany.

The mass production of the vehicle started in Germany in 2013, and it was shipped for the first time to the US earlier this year.

The award also marks a significant step for BMW in its efforts to develop EVs on a commercial scale.

The award has been instituted by the Green Car Journal, which confers  the Green Car of the Year award every year. This year's awards were held at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

The awards were instituted by the journal in 2005 and are given in various categories, which features reports on sustainability and efficiency-enhancing technologies.