DRIVE Electric Arizona Launches Native Nations Chapter
Advancing electric vehicle education through partnership, trust, and community leadership
DRIVE Electric Arizona has launched DRIVE Electric Native Nations, a new chapter dedicated to supporting electric vehicle (EV) education in partnership with Native communities across Arizona. This initiative reflects a long‑term commitment to collaboration, respect, and relationship‑building with Arizona’s twenty‑one federally recognized tribes.
The chapter is led by Hans‑Dieter Klose, a registered member of the Salt River Pima‑Maricopa Indian Community, and centers Native leadership and community priorities in conversations about clean transportation. By working directly with tribal communities, DRIVE Electric Native Nations aims to provide practical, real‑world EV education that aligns with local needs, values, and long‑standing traditions of caring for the land and future generations.
DRIVE Electric USA Chapters (See state of Arizona – all that is green in Arizona is DRIVE Electric Native Nations Chapter)
As part of this work, DRIVE Electric Native Nations is partnering with the Valley of the Sun Electric Vehicle Association to host an Electric Vehicle Ride & Drive during the Salt River Pima‑Maricopa Indian Community’s Earth Day Celebration. The event will take place on April 25, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, at the Academic Learning Academy in Scottsdale, located on the community’s sovereign land.
This Ride & Drive is part of Drive Electric Earth Month (DEEM), a national initiative led by Plug In America that brings hands‑on EV education directly into local communities. Attendees will have the opportunity to see and drive electric vehicles, talk one‑on‑one with EV owners, and learn how electric transportation works in everyday conditions—including home charging and longer‑distance travel.
Electric vehicles can offer meaningful benefits for rural Native Nations, including reduced fuel and maintenance costs over time, improved air quality, and greater local control over transportation choices. Community‑based education helps ensure residents can make informed decisions about whether EVs are the right fit for their households and communities.
The Ride & Drive event is open to all and welcomes community members, families, and visitors who are curious about clean transportation and its role in building healthier, more resilient communities through informed choice, partnership, and shared stewardship.