Hyundai Canada presents the 2021 AJAC Environmental Journalism Awards 

• Hyundai Canada congratulates overall winner Steven Bochenek and runners-up, Kelly Taylor and Dale Edward Johnson. All three journalists demonstrated exhaustive efforts to inform and entertain their audiences on compelling environmental topics
• In its first year presenting this annual AJAC Journalism Award, Hyundai Canada is identifying three winners instead of two, due to the high volume of story submissions received  

MARKHAM/AJAX, ONT. (October 15, 2021) – Hyundai Auto Canada Corp. is proud to present the 38^th Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) Environmental Journalism Awards to three winners, while marking the importance of different reporting mediums and audience diversity in the automotive environmental reporting space.

Steven Bochenek is the 2021 overall winner for his story titled: “A Newbie's Guide to Battery Life: Testing EV Functionality in Real Canadian Winter.” Bochenek was also the overall winner in last year’s AJAC Environmental Journalism Awards, marking the first time a journalist has won the overall award twice.

This year’s awards saw the largest number of entries – 18 - marking it the most significant number of submissions for the annual AJAC Environmental Journalism Award. Kelly Taylor and Dale Edward Johnson tied for the runner-up award. Taylor for his story chronicling various methods of EV battery recycling, and Johnson for his radio segment on electric trucks and their viability for the Saskatchewan farming industry and ICE truck-owners in general.

The winners were selected by Axelle Techer, director at Middle Child Public Relations; Dominique Gargour, media director, Innocean Worldwide Canada; and Paul-André House, account executive at Tequila Communication et Marketing. All three judges have extensive experience within the automotive industry, through advertising, media communications and public relations.

The winners were selected based on a number of variables, but focused on three overarching criteria: style, creativity as well as content and impact. Entries were submitted and reviewed anonymously. All three judges agree this was a difficult decision to make as all 18 entries reflected tenacious research, valuable information, and key findings for the readers.

“A Newbie's Guide to Battery Life: Testing EV Functionality in Real Canadian Winter” – by Steven Bochenek

The overall winning article was selected based on its extensive research and ability to take on a highly technical topic and turn it into an engaging story for the average reader. The article by Steven Bochenek as published on autoTRADER.ca also answers a big question – how do EVs fare in the middle of winter? Bochenek shows the reader exactly what it’s like through a multi-day, test drive blitz of various EVs in-market.

The judges appreciate the various techniques used to keep the reader engaged, namely the careful use of humour and a colloquial tone. The judges agree that the writing style helped them navigate the complex, new and unknown world of electric vehicles with flair and simplicity. Applying a succinct list of takeaways, “Five Useful Lessons” for the reader as a way to conclude the article is also something all three judges laud.

Dominique Gargour, media director at Innocean Worldwide Canada says, “The article is not only informative, but more importantly impactful in driving consumers to have a realistic perspective on the different electric vehicles available in market. The author takes on an extensive list of electric vehicles in one article to ensure readers have proper representative reporting of range and performance in harsh weather conditions.”

“Battery Recycling” by Kelly Taylor

The runner-up’s article as published in ViCARious magazine is praised for in-depth studying the lifecycle of electric vehicle batteries, from extraction to recycling, and its impact on the environment. The article lists the various solutions manufacturers are implementing to ensure their sustainable sourcing in the production and afterlife of batteries. The judges value the way in which the article raises awareness to the problem of post-ownership with electric vehicles and walks them through existing solutions that the world’s leading manufacturers are working on to recycle and reuse EV batteries. 

“The afterlife of the batteries in electric vehicles is of great importance and is of increasingly significant concern for eco-conscious consumers, and the environment in general,” says Axelle Techer, director at Middle Child Public Relations. “The writer’s reporting on various OEM’s recycling efforts, matched with the perfect amount of technical information and statistics brings to light the importance of accountability when it comes to innovation and new powertrain solutions in the automotive world.”

Broadcast Segment: “Ford unveils all-electric version of the F-150 – how interested are Saskatchewan drivers?” by Dale Edward Johnson

This runner-up was commended for tackling an intriguing and challenging topic for customers in the pickup truck segments – when and how to switch from ICE to EV. In this 10-minute radio segment which aired on CBC Saskatchewan’s The Afternoon Edition. Dale Edward Johnson also examines whether or not these legions of pickup drivers will be open to adopting an electrified version of trucks, especially in the agricultural industry. Johnson presents his perspective from testing the trucks, as well as reporting on how these electrified trucks offer more than what the normal internal combustion engine truck can. By interviewing a wide range of stakeholders and subject matter experts, Johnson effectively enlightens his audience on the potential of going fully-electric with a pickup truck, while unpacking the concerns and attitudes of both pickup truck drivers and members of his local community. 

“Targeting a huge group of consumers in the auto industry on a niche and new topic such as EV pickups can be challenging,” said Paul-André House, account executive at Tequila Communication et Marketing. “The radio broadcast medium is instrumental in reaching a wider audience and educating them on key findings while on the road. The research and material could not have been presented on a better medium to reach a customer segment that spends most of its time, likely, behind the wheel. Through the power of radio and a well-assembled segment, Johnson effectively captures the attention of listeners and helps them see the possibility of electrified pickups in their future. The audio format reels us in from the beginning, but the arrangement of information and, more importantly, plethora of guests keeps us engaged.” 

The awards were presented Wednesday evening at the annual AJAC awards banquet. The winners were presented their trophies by Don Romano, president and CEO of Hyundai Canada.