Volunteer Profile: Stephanie Williams
Meet Stephanie Williams of Glendale, a former school teacher turned truck driver and on-the-road driver trainer—which may explain why she is so good at helping people feel comfortable behind the wheel. Originally from New Jersey and Pennsylvania, Stephanie has lived in Arizona for four and a half years and has already found her place in the state’s growing EV community.
“I’m only in my first EV, but I will NEVER go back to a gas car.”
Stephanie drives a 2024 Polestar 2 with the Pilot, Plus, and Performance Packs, chosen because she wanted something unique with strong safety and performance. And yes, people notice. Her friends, neighbors, and coworkers usually start with, “What is it?” Then they want a ride. After that, they can’t believe it’s electric.
What does she love most about driving electric? Stephanie sums it up perfectly: “The instant torque, super quiet speed, NO MORE GAS!! Driving is fun again!!”
That joy comes through at Ride & Drive events, where Stephanie says the best reaction is always the same: the wide-eyed “OMG!!” when someone experiences an EV launch for the first time. “It happens every time!” she says.
Stephanie first connected with DRIVE Electric Arizona after meeting John Morrill at Electrify Expo in 2025. She attended her first Ride & Drive, and as she puts it, “the rest is history.” As an educator at heart, she loves those moments when a conversation helps someone pause, rethink a misconception, and see EVs differently. “I also enjoy being part of an organization of like-minded individuals,” she adds.
Her favorite volunteer moment this year? The Route 66 Fun Run, of course—bonding with people who are just as passionate about their cars as she is about hers. She also loves speaking with people in the community and says volunteering has introduced her to “so many interesting and good people.”
Stephanie also brings a practical, Arizona-wide view to EV outreach. She notes that Arizona’s landscape, weather, and communities can change dramatically within just a few hours, but wherever DRIVE Electric volunteers show up throughout the state, people are usually receptive and interested in learning more about EVs. She wishes more Arizonans understood that charging infrastructure is already much better than many people think, with charging options throughout the state. She would also like to explore options for bringing electric semi-trucks to Arizona, combining her love of EVs and her passion for driving trucks.
And because every great volunteer profile needs a little personality: Stephanie is a lifelong Philadelphia Eagles fan who gets “intense” during football season, enjoys swimming, music, Lego collecting and building, gardening, and yard work. Her dog Gunther is also an EV fan – he loves the frunk!
Her advice to anyone unsure about EVs is simple:
“Take one for a drive; experience one for yourself!” She knows that once someone tries an EV, it is only a matter of time…