The Northwest Automotive Press Association (NWAPA) selected the 2013 Fiat 500e as the "Top Electric Vehicle" during its first-annual "Drive Revolution" event in Portland.
According to the NWAPA, 17 vehicles were tested, including pure electrics, plug-in hybrids and "clean" diesels.
But it was the Fiat 500e that came out on top in the electric class.
Bengt Halvorson, Drive Revolution co-chair, remarked:
"The Fiat 500e is an electric car with sex appeal. Unlike other electric vehicles, we think the Fiat 500e will lure in a type of buyer that otherwise might not even have considered a plug-in model."
Sex appeal? Really? Oddly, that is how Fiat pitches it.
Jason Stoicevich, head of Fiat North America, released this statement:
"We wanted a Fiat 500 that happens to be fully electric. NWAPA’s Drive Revolution accolade reinforces that our Italian style and engaging dynamics, combined with a fully electric powertrain, have created a zero-emissions Cinquecento that appeals beyond just green car shoppers."
The 500e was pitted against the Smart Fortwo Electric Drive, Honda Fit EV, Ford Focus Electric, Mitsubishi i-MiEV and Nissan LEAF.