Tesla Model S 70D beats BMW, Volkswagen, Audi and Subaru to become AAA’s 2016 Green Car of the Year

Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) has won numeral awards and recognition with world’s most successful EV and its premium sedan, the Model S, over the last four years. Now, it has been crowned the 2016 ‘Green Car of the Year’ by AAA.

The motor club reported that the 70D, which was introduced in 2015, was competing against 80 other green vehicles this year. It attained overall 92.49 points and beat Hatch back 2014 BMW i3 and 2015 Volkwagen e-Golf SEL Premium, which secured 88.47 and 87.09 points respectively.

AAA Managing Director of Automotive Engineering and Repair, John Nielson, said in a press release: “The Tesla Model S 70D has a 240-mile range, room for five, excellent power and steering, and fast charge capability. Add sleek styling, great acceleration and an air of sophistication that separates it from other alternative-fueled vehicles and you see why the Model S 70D was our top vehicle this year.”

While Audi 2016 A3 Sportback e-tron Premium was given 83.49 points, Subaru 2015 Outback 2.5i Premium’s score stood at 81.96.

The organization gives 0-10 score for 13 categories and totals the overall score to determine top green-energy vehicle of the year. AAA’s Green Car Guide, a detailed report on top green vehicles, includes test scores, car’s specification, strengths, weaknesses, observations and data.

Apart from this award, the same Tesla model also scooped ‘Best Green Vehicle over $50,000’ and was winner in a category of large cars. Best green vehicle under $30,000, given to Mazda 3S Grand Touring while the award in green pickup category went to Ford F-150 Supercab Lariat.

Automotive Research Center manager, Megan Mckenan, said that consumers can purchase zero-to-low emission, high-quality cars in increasing options of size, price and body type.

Another AAA survey revealed that battery-driven vehicles are popular among millennials and non-millennials, which plan on buying such cars because of environmental impact and fuel expenses. 82% of the respondents believe that it is essential to understand “green technology.”