In the midst of Volkswagen’s diesel emissions scandal, Green Car Journal will strip two cars of their Green Car of the Year awards.
The 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI and 2010 Audi A3 TDI will have their wins rescinded, according to the publication. Powered by Volkswagen’s 2.0-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder engine, the two cars are among the 11 million vehicles worldwide that feature software designed to “cheat” on emissions tests.
“Rescinding the Green Car of the Year awards for the VW Jetta TDI and Audi A3 TDI is unfortunate but appropriate,” Green Car Journal editor and publisher Ron Cogan said in a statement. “These models were selected … above others for compelling reasons, including highway fuel efficiency, reduced carbon emissions, a fun-to-drive nature and the ability to meet 50-state emissions requirements with advanced diesel technology.”
Despite the blowback Volkswagen – and diesel as a whole – has faced, Green Car Journal wrote the rescission “should not cast a negative light on advanced diesel technology in general.
“Many diesel models from a wide variety of auto manufacturers meet EPA and CARB emissions standards, bringing with them higher fuel efficiency, decreased petroleum use and lower carbon emissions – all important environmental goals.”
At this moment, Green Car Journal hasn’t specified whether or not any retroactive replacement winners will be named.
