Drive Revolution 2018 Winners Announced
This week, members of the Northwest Automotive Press Association gathered at the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site for Drive Revolution 2018. On the tarmac in front of the Pearson Air Museum sat a collection of 19 vehicles. Comprised of battery-electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, and full hybrids, this group boasted some of the most fuel-efficient powertrains currently available, and were the focus of Drive Revolution’s evaluation and competition.
“The variety of vehicles is impressive” said Drive Revolution Chair Sarah Shelton of U.S. News & World Report. “From small city cars that cost less than $28,000, to fuel-sipping family-haulers that can carry up to seven people, today’s selection demonstrates that there is something for anyone when it comes to alternatively-fueled vehicles.”
Under the open wood rafters of a 97-year old hangar, NWAPA journalists cast their ballots for the best green vehicle. After a full day of testing through the streets of Vancouver, Washington, NWAPA journalists named the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid as the Northwest Green Vehicle of the Year. The Pacifica Hybrid, which also won the award as the Best Family-Sized Plug-In Hybrid by a landslide, was nominated as the overall winner for its combination of fuel-efficiency, ample cabin space, user-friendly amenities, and value.
“The Pacifica Hybrid’s 84 mpg-e and 33 miles of all-electric range saves you hundreds in fuel costs each year over the average new minivan or SUV” Shelton said. “But what’s particularly remarkable is that you can achieve this fuel economy while also carrying a family of seven in the front and a suitcase for everyone in the back. This, along with a notable amount of standard equipment, makes the Pacifica Hybrid a truly family-friendly vehicle.”
The Pacifica Hybrid wasn’t the only green vehicle to earn a trophy. The four category winners are as follows:
- Northwest Affordable Battery-Electric Vehicle of the Year: 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV
- Northwest Affordable Hybrid Car of the Year: 2018 Chevrolet Volt
- Northwest Family-Sized Plug-In Hybrid of the Year: 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
- Northwest Luxury Green Vehicle of the Year: 2018 Lexus LS 500h
About the Northwest Automotive Press Association:
NWAPA (www.nwapa.org) is a professional organization of automotive journalists and media members from throughout the Pacific Northwest and Southwest Canada. Founded in 1991, NWAPA includes 54 voting members representing more than 700 newspapers, magazines, radio stations, media groups and the internet.. Non-voting NWAPA members include representatives from automotive manufacturers and related industry professionals.
About Drive Revolution
For the past six years, the automotive media professionals of the Northwest Automotive Press Association have produced Drive Revolution to test and evaluate the growing number of electrified vehicles available to Northwest buyers. Oregon and Washington are at the epicenter of this seismic shift in vehicle propulsion, and Drive Revolution offers NWAPA members the opportunity to see and drive leading edge alternative-fuel vehicles back-to-back in a consistent testing environment.