Spirit of Arizona

Native Nations Driving the Future on Native Lands

Practical, community-centered electric vehicle information created for Arizona’s Native Nations, connecting cleaner transportation with household savings, healthier air, energy resilience, and greater mobility.

Why This Work Matters

Local knowledge for a changing transportation future

Electric vehicles can help reduce household transportation costs, improve local air quality, and create new opportunities for energy independence. Yet every community has different priorities, distances, infrastructure, and transportation needs.

This resource brings together Nation-specific information in clear, approachable language. As these pages grow, they will include charging guidance, available incentives, community stories, fleet resources, and examples of solutions shaped by local needs.

The goal is not to prescribe one path. It is to provide useful information that Native communities can evaluate and apply on their own terms.

Explore the Possibilities

What you will find

Straightforward resources for households, drivers, community leaders, fleets, and anyone interested in learning how electric transportation can work in Arizona.

01

Lower Ownership Costs

Learn about fuel savings, reduced maintenance, total cost of ownership, utility programs, and available incentives.

02

Charging Made Clear

Understand home, workplace, destination, and public fast charging, with resources relevant to Arizona travel.

03

Cleaner, Quieter Communities

Explore how zero-tailpipe-emission vehicles can support cleaner air, quieter streets, and healthier neighborhoods.

04

Everyday EV Living

Get practical guidance for choosing an EV, planning trips, charging at home, and making the transition with confidence.

05

Community and Fleet Planning

Find information for governments, enterprises, fleets, schools, utilities, and community organizations considering electrification.

06

Native EV Stories

Discover experiences and perspectives from Native EV owners, leaders, partners, and communities across the region.

Community Resources

Explore Arizona’s Native Nations

Select a Nation below to visit its developing resource page. New information, stories, programs, and local resources will continue to be added.

Do not see your community represented?

Help us connect with local leaders, EV owners, educators, and community organizations.

Contact Our Team

Experience Electric

Learn from EV owners and get behind the wheel

DRIVE Electric Arizona’s Ride & Drive events give community members the opportunity to experience electric vehicles without sales pressure, ask practical questions, and learn about charging and ownership directly from experienced drivers.

View Upcoming Events

In the Community

Arizona’s Native EV movement is growing

Klose is at the helm as president of the first Native American chapter for DRIVE Electric, serving the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, Gila River Indian Community, and Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation.
Read the story at O’odham Action News →

Community Leadership

Meet Hans Klose

Hans Klose

Chair, Native Communities Working Group

Hans Klose is the founder and owner of Sovereign Sustainable Initiatives LLC, based in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. His work focuses on developing sustainable energy systems for Native American communities throughout the southwestern United States.

Hans helped establish DRIVE Electric Arizona’s Native Nations chapter and represents Native communities through statewide EV education, outreach, community partnerships, and transportation planning. He also serves as Chair of DRIVE Electric Arizona’s Working Group on Native Communities.

An enrolled member of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, Hans grew up within the Salt River, Gila River, and Tohono O’odham communities. He later attended Dartmouth College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in religion.

Build the Future Together

Bring electric vehicle education to your community

DRIVE Electric Arizona works with Native Nations, community leaders, utilities, schools, organizations, and EV owners to create locally relevant educational events and resources.

An orange pickup truck with electric vehicle promotional graphics parked in a parking lot. The truck has messages about electric cars, including the website driveelectricaz.org, and features a desert eagle and eagle emblem. The background shows other vehicles, trees, and buildings.