2014 Cadillac ELR Grabs Green Car Technology Award

One of the chief advantages of the 2014 Cadillac ELR—its innovative “Regen on Demand” system—has received this year’s Green Car Journal 2014 Green Car Technology Award.

Regen on Demand shifts the paradigm when it comes to paddle shifters, allowing drivers to use them to operate the car’s regenerative-braking system instead of its transmission. As a result, owners can decide when to shift from a more traditional braking experience to one that captures braking energy and stores it as electricity in the car’s battery pack; that electricity, in turn, can help owners maximize the 2014 Cadillac ELR’s EV-driving range of approximately 37 miles. (And remember, the 2014 Cadillac ELR is projected to deliver a total driving range north of 340 miles thanks to its gas-powered on-board generator.)

Said Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of Green Car Journal and CarsOfChange.com: “Cadillac has cleverly evolved a common electric-drive efficiency system into an intriguing feature that adds a new dimension to the driving experience.

“Ever-increasing efficiency is crucial to our driving future, yet efficiency itself is not an attraction for a great many car buyers. Cadillac’s Regen on Demand is an inspired example of how technology can increase efficiency while connecting with a driver, enhancing driving dynamics along the way.”

On the topic of driving dynamics, potential owners of the 2014 Cadillac ELR also can look forward to a sophisticated suspension setup designed to get the most out of the car’s 217 hp and 295 lb.-ft. of torque. For example, up front is the highly regarded HiPer Strut setup, while the rear showcases a Watts link suspension and Continuous Damping Control works at all four corners.

Of course, with this being an award from Green Car Journal, let’s further note that the 2014 Cadillac ELR can deliver about 87 MPGe in combined travel in EV mode, complemented by 33 mpg combined when relying on its on-board generator for power.

The final word from Jim Vurpillat, director of emerging markets at Cadillac: “Regen on Demand is one of the key systems enabling the Cadillac ELR to merge performance with efficiency in a dynamic new way. Putting regenerative braking at the driver’s fingertips supports the ELR’s 340-mile total driving range while also adding a fun-to-drive element to the premium luxury coupe.”

The 2014 Green Car Technology Award was presented to the 2014 Cadillac ELR during the 2014 Washington Auto Show in the nation’s capital.