The journal has been honouring the most important ‘green’ vehicles every year at the Los Angeles Auto Show since 10 years ago, and the award to date is seen as prestigious. More and more models are being considered for the program each year; a reflection of the auto industry’s efforts for improving efficiency and environmental impacts in their latest offerings.

According to Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of the journal and CarsOfChange.com, this year’s finalists are the strongest because each of the five nominees make a strong environmental statement in distinctly different ways.

The selection process comprises a majority vote by an esteemed jury that includes celebrity auto enthusiast Jay Leno, and leaders of noted environmental and efficiency organisations. During the vetting process, the journal’s editors consider all vehicles, fuels and technologies as an expansive field of potential candidates and narrows these to just five finalists. Factors which are considered include efficiency, EPA and CARB emissions certification, performance characteristics, ‘newness’ and affordability. Finalists are expected to be made available for sale by 1 January 2016.

The winner of the 11th Annual Award will be revealed by the Green Car Journal at the Los Angeles Auto Show that will be held on 19 November 2015.