Release Details

• AeroVironment turns 500e drivers' garages into home "filling stations" with one-stop convenience including charging station, electrical installation and three-year warranty
• FIAT is the fifth major car manufacturer to choose AeroVironment as its preferred home electric refueling station provider
• AeroVironment has deployed more than 12,000 charging stations across North America

MONROVIA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- FIAT® has selected AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV) as the preferred provider of home charging stations and installations for its all-new, all-electric Fiat 500e. FIAT is the fifth plug-in electric vehicle (EV) auto manufacturer to choose AeroVironment as its full-service home charging partner.

The 2013 Fiat 500e features a 24-kWh Lithium-ion battery that will allow drivers to travel an estimated 108 miles, and uses an industry standard SAE J1772 recharge connector. The FIAT-branded 240-volt refueling station will charge the Fiat 500e in four hours or less versus the approximate 20 hours it would take using a standard 120-volt charging cable. AeroVironment's UL-listed station can be installed indoors or outdoors, making it easy to locate the station in the most convenient location.

"The Fiat 500e increases the number of plug-in electric vehicles available to American drivers," said Wahid Nawabi, AeroVironment senior vice president and general manager of its Efficient Energy Systems business segment. "By choosing AeroVironment as its one-stop solution for home charging, FIAT has given us yet another opportunity to demonstrate that electric driving can be easy. At home and on the road, our charging solutions give EV drivers the benefits and convenience of faster charging and cleaner driving."

Fiat 500e owners can bundle the home charger and installation with the car purchase right at the FIAT Studio. AeroVironment-certified, licensed electricians who are also specially qualified to support EV drivers perform on-site installation and services.

Nawabi said, "Having your own auto refueling station right in your garage or driveway gives EV drivers a new kind of freedom. It makes charging your car as easy as charging your cell phone, and it's much less expensive than gasoline. We are dedicated to developing more ‘gotta have' charging products that will make refueling even easier as more EVs hit the roadways."

AeroVironment is the preferred integrated home charging solution supplier for five global automakers and their growing fleets of plug-in electric vehicles. The company's broad line of home charging systems includes the 240-volt home charging system and a do-it-yourself wall-mounted "plug-in" unit that is available for dealer stock. More information on AeroVironment's EV charging solutions can be found at www.evsolutions.com.

About AeroVironment, Inc.

AeroVironment is a technology solutions provider that designs, develops, produces, operates and supports an advanced portfolio of electric transportation solutions and electric-powered Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). AeroVironment's comprehensive EV charging solutions include EV home charging, public charging, fast charging, data collection, grid-integrated communications and complete installation, training and support services for consumers, automakers, utilities, government agencies and businesses. AeroVironment's industrial electric vehicle charging systems support thousands of electric materials handling vehicles in mission-critical supply chains for Fortune 500 enterprises. AeroVironment's power cycling and test systems provide EV developers and EV battery manufacturers with market-leading simulation and cycling capabilities. Agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military services use the company's electric-powered, hand-launched unmanned aircraft systems to provide situational awareness to tactical operating units through real-time, airborne reconnaissance, surveillance and communication. More information is available at www.avinc.com and www.evsolutions.com.

About FIAT

Italian at heart and rooted in a rich heritage, the Fiat 500 is synonymous with modern, simple design blending form, function and a pride of ownership that is genuine. The Fiat 500 has earned more than 80 international awards, including being named the 2008 European Car of the Year, 2009 World Car Design of the Year and Best New Engine of 2010 (Fiat MultiAir® Turbo). In the U.S., the 2012 Fiat 500 was named "Best Buy" in the subcompact category by Consumers Digest and was deemed a "Top Safety Pick" by the influential Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The FIAT brand portfolio in North America continues to expand with the arrival of the high-performance Fiat 500 Abarth, Fiat 500 Abarth Cabrio and the Fiat 500 Turbo. In 2013, the FIAT brand launched the Fiat 500e, a full-electric version of the Fiat 500, and the Fiat 500L, a new five-passenger model that will expand FIAT's brand style and efficiency into the growing B-segment.

Safe Harbor Statement

Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are made on the basis of current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors outside of our control, that may cause our business, strategy or actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to; the activities of competitors; failure of the markets in which we operate to grow; failure to expand into new markets; failure to develop new products or integrate new technology with current products; and general economic and business conditions in the United States and elsewhere in the world. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see the reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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AeroVironment, Inc.
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or
For AeroVironment
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Source: AeroVironment, Inc.

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