Volunteer Profile: Adam Draper
If you have spent time around a DRIVE Electric Arizona event, there is a good chance you have seen Adam Draper in the middle of the action—managing traffic flow at Ride & Drives, helping with setup, taking photos, talking with attendees, answering questions, and helping people better understand the benefits of EVs.
Adam grew up in Illinois and has lived in Scottsdale for the past three years. He works in sales, and outside of EVs he enjoys “baseball, music, and happiness.” One thing that may surprise people is that he has written several songs!
Adam’s current electric ride is an E Move Cruiser S. Fittingly, his first EV experience began with electric scooters, which appealed to him because they were practical and affordable. That same focus on practicality still shapes the way he talks to others about electric transportation today. What Adam loves most about driving electric is simple: the cost-effectiveness and the chance to help the environment at the same time.
EV volunteer Adam Draper enjoys helping Arizonans discover that driving electric can be practical, affordable, and surprisingly easy.
One of the biggest misconceptions he enjoys correcting is the idea that EVs are too expensive. For Adam, that misunderstanding comes up again and again—and he has seen firsthand how powerful accurate information can be. One of his most memorable moments came when a couple decided to buy an EV after he and other volunteers shared the facts clearly and honestly. That kind of moment stays with him, because so many people assume EVs are out of reach until someone takes the time to explain the real costs of owning and driving one.
Adam got involved in the EV community through his uncle, John Morrill, an avid EV owner and longtime enthusiast who has inspired him with both technical knowledge and a generous willingness to help others. Adam now gives his own time to DRIVE Electric Arizona and Valley of the Sun EVA events and is an important part of logistics, tabling, and community outreach. What he enjoys most is both the sense of community and the chance to help others discover something that can genuinely improve their lives.
He says one of the most rewarding parts of volunteering is the interaction with the public. Time and again, Adam has spoken with people who believed an EV would never fit their budget, only to see their reaction change once they understood the real numbers. For him, those surprised expressions and moments of clarity are among the best parts of the work.
Adam describes EV driving this way: “You will find convenience and cost savings while supporting cleaner air and a healthier future.” That belief also shapes why he volunteers. He wants to help others, help the planet, and be part of something positive. Volunteering, he says, brings a sense of personal gratification and makes him feel better about being in the world.
Asked what makes Arizona EV outreach unique, Adam points to the number of events and the number of people involved. He sees the EV community here as welcoming and very helpful, and he believes Arizona has a major opportunity ahead. In his view, the growth of EVs could bring real benefits to the state—not only cleaner air, lower driving costs, and stronger communities, but also new jobs through manufacturing and charging infrastructure.
Looking ahead, Adam hopes DRIVE Electric Arizona and Valley of the Sun EVA continue to grow and expand outreach, especially in lower-income communities, rural areas, and Tribal communities. He cares deeply about clean air and health, saving money, energy independence, climate and the environment, community resilience, Tribal equity and engagement, better transportation options, and protecting future generations.
And if he could speak directly to someone who is unsure about EVs, his message is simple: you may be pleasantly surprised by how easy it is to save money and adapt your routine.
Volunteers like Adam Draper are helping ensure that more Arizonans hear the facts, ask the right questions, and get the chance to see electric transportation for what it really is: practical, affordable, and already changing lives.