GM’s Chevy Volt Named ‘Green Car of the Year’

General Motor Co.’s Chevrolet Volt, a plug-in vehicle intended to go as far as 40 miles solely on electricity, was named the 2011 Green Car of the Year at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

The rechargeable model was selected over competing electric vehicles including Nissan Motor Co.’s battery-powered Leaf hatchback, said Ron Cogan, publisher of Green Car Journal, which sponsored the award. Volkswagen AG’s Audi diesel A3 TDI luxury car won the award last year.