20 Top Canadian Automotive Journalists Participating AJAC 2015 Vancouver Island EcoRun

Bringing Fuel Efficient Technologies to Your Community

The Eco-Run is an annual AJAC event that shows off a variety of eco-friendly vehicles, which include pure electrics, plug-in and conventional hybrids, hydrogen fuel cells, diesel-fuelled powertrains and highly-efficient gasoline options. The purpose of the Eco-Run is to help inform consumers of these alternative options, as well as providing accurate road testing fuel economy numbers. These new vehicles are driven on real-world road conditions in order to fully test for fuel efficiency and the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions.

TORONTO -- March 20, 2015: The fourth annual EcoRun, hosted by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) is just around the corner and it's shaping up to be the best one yet. The eco-friendly showcase of new vehicles will have 20 entries ready to take on the province of British Columbia for a second-consecutive year from March 25-26.

The vehicles entered span 13 different auto manufacturers including compacts, mid-size sedans, premium sports crossovers, SUVs and trucks. All of these vehicles share one common purpose – bettering fuel economy, the environment and fuel savings for the consumer. Within the 20 vehicles entered, you will find pure electrics, plug-in and conventional hybrids, diesel-fuelled powertrains, a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, as well as highly-efficient gasoline options.

20 Canadian automotive journalists from across the country will be participating in the event to pilot these new eco-friendly vehicles. These 20 leading journalists include five AJAC journalists of the year recipients, as well as a host of other award winners that range from video to motorsports to environmental writing.

In total, 30 outlets will be represented, and that's just from the participating journalists. The outlet list includes major papers, such as the National Post, Toronto Star, the Sun Media Group and Black Press. Additionally, some of the top Canadian websites and magazines will be there to cover the journey that goes from the Vancouver Auto Show onto Vancouver Island with stops in Nanaimo, Duncan, Victoria and Steveston before heading back to Vancouver.

For some journalists like Postmedia's Lorraine Sommerfeld, the 2015 EcoRun will be their first: "I'm attending my first EcoRun in response to a shift in what readers and viewers want; a better understanding of emerging technologies, and the impact they'll have on real people's lives."

For others, it's all about promoting different car alternatives and defending their crown as the Green Jersey winner, an award handed out to the most fuel-efficient driver throughout the two days.

"To me, the true value of EcoRun is that it shows we can get better fuel economy in any car we drive," said Jim Kenzie, the 2014 Green Jersey award winner. "As the defending 'Green Jersey' wearer, I will be feather-footing it across Vancouver Island. Competitive? Who, me?..."

The 2015 EcoRun is being supported by its main partners: Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA), the New Car Dealers Association of BC, and of course, the 13 participating automotive manufacturers.

"CAA is happy to sponsor an event that brings together so many of the country's top automotive journalists to draw attention to ways we can all save money – and help save the environment – by being more careful drivers." said Ian Jack, Managing Director, Communications and Government Relations at CAA.