Volunteer Profile: Marc Wenning
Powering Arizona’s EV Community—One Conversation, One Test Drive and One Drone Flight at a Time
Marc Wenning has a simple way of describing electric driving: “Quick, quiet, smooth and virtually no maintenance.” What’s not to love?
A San Tan Valley resident for 26 years, Marc grew up in Batesville, Indiana, and works as a senior solutions engineer (Pre-Sales Consultant) for a software company. He began his EV journey with a 2018 Tesla Model 3, attracted by its styling, driving experience and affordability. Today, he drives a 2021 Tesla Model Y Performance—and charges it at home using solar energy.
Marc met Peter Culin and John Martinson at early EV events before the Valley of the Sun Electric Vehicle Association and DRIVE Electric Arizona were formed. When Peter invited him to join the boards, Marc readily agreed. He now manages the websites for both organizations while also helping with Ride & Drive events, setup and logistics, technical support, social media, photography and videography.
What Marc enjoys most is talking with people who are curious—but sometimes uncertain—about EVs.
For Marc Wenning, two of the many benefits of driving electric include not having “to worry about fluctuating gas prices and being able to charge my car off my solar panels.”
“I like being able to clear up EV misconceptions, answer people’s questions and hopefully make their decision to move to an EV easier,” Marc said.
One misconception he especially enjoys correcting is that EVs are only suitable for city driving. Marc regularly explains that EVs are excellent road-trip vehicles, particularly as charging networks continue to expand. Some of his most rewarding moments occur when people return to a later event and tell him that the information and firsthand experience they received helped them purchase their first EV.
Ride & Drive events are a particular favorite. Marc loves watching someone experience an EV’s quiet ride, smooth acceleration and instant power for the first time. That reaction reminds him of taking his parents for their first EV ride—they were amazed by how quiet, smooth and quick it was. “They were shocked!” he recalled.
Marc also helps capture the action from above with his drone and records photos and videos using an Insta360 camera. Away from EVs, he enjoys Formula 1 and IndyCar, golf and building LEGO sets. (Fun fact: Since taking up the hobby during the pandemic, he has completed more than 120 sets!)
For Marc, volunteering is also about community. It has introduced him to a great group of people who share his passion for electric transportation—and even a few fellow LEGO enthusiasts. “Most of my friends also have EVs, a few of my co-workers have EVs, and we even have an internal Slack channel where I work that is dedicated to electric vehicles,” he shared.
Driving electric also provides additional benefits for causes that are important to Marc – clean air and health, climate and environment, energy independence, saving money, and protecting future generations.
His advice to anyone considering an EV is direct:
“Do it. You won’t regret it. Once you do, you will never want to go back to a gas car.”
Thank you, Marc, for your time and effort to keep our websites running, document our events and help Arizonans discover the benefits of driving electric.