The Chevrolet Volt plug-in electric car, the centerpiece of a revitalized General Motors Co, was named 2011 Green Car of the Year on Thursday.

The highly anticipated Volt received the industry’s top environmental honor the same day GM shares began trading — the biggest U.S. IPO ever.

The Volt edged out the Nissan Leaf and three other gas-sipping cars for the prize, which is awarded by Green Car Journal.