| Powering Arizona’s EV Future Through Community, Education, Advocacy & EVents |
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| | APRIL 2026 NEWSLETTER VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 4 |
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Happy 4th Anniversary, Valley of the Sun Electric Vehicle Association! |
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From Chance Conversations to a Statewide Movement |
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As Valley of the Sun Electric Vehicle Association (VOTSEVA) celebrates its fourth anniversary, we are taking a moment not just to mark the date, but to reflect on how far this movement has come. What began with a conversation, a shared belief in the power of real-world EV experiences, and a simple commitment to helping people learn by doing has grown into one of the most active and visible EV communities in Arizona. |
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Over the past four years, VOTSEVA has built momentum through events, partnerships, volunteers, and thousands of personal conversations that have helped turn curiosity into confidence and interest into action. As this anniversary reminds us, the story of VOTSEVA is not only about growth—it is about the power of people coming together to help shape Arizona’s electric future. |
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Four Years of Momentum—And the Story Before the Story Long before there was an organization, a logo, or a single Ride & Drive event, there was a conversation. In 2019, John Martinson and Peter Culin crossed paths through a Tesla owners’ group. On the surface, it was a simple connection—two EV owners talking about their cars. But it didn’t take long to realize something deeper was at play. Despite coming from different generations and professional backgrounds, their paths had followed strikingly similar arcs. Both had roots in the Northeast. Both eventually made their way west to Arizona. And both had built careers grounded in entrepreneurship. |
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Martinson brought decades of business leadership and sustainability-focused ventures, including founding China Mist Tea Company, while Culin brought a logistics and operations background, building a freight forwarding agency that would later evolve into a BTX Global Logistics branch office. What emerged wasn’t just shared interest. It was alignment. |
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Martinson brought vision, strategy, and long-range thinking.
Culin brought execution, systems, and operational discipline. Without realizing it, they had already formed the foundation of a partnership.
That foundation found direction in early 2022. Another Conversation Adds to the Momentum
While volunteering with the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy, Martinson met Raejean Fellows, a former President of the Electric Vehicle Association and a Director at Plug In America. Like many great turning points, it started with something simple—they both arrived in electric vehicles and started talking. That conversation didn’t end there. A few months later, Fellows reached out with a direct ask: would he be willing to start a Scottsdale chapter? Martinson didn’t overthink it. He made a call. “We can do this together.” On the other end of the line was Culin. With that, the idea moved from possibility to action. The Momentum Takes Shape
What began as the Scottsdale Electric Vehicle Association was never intended to be just another chapter. From the beginning, it took on a different tone—less about presentations and persuasion, and more about experience. Contnue reading about VOTSEVA’s origin story here… |
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VOLUNTEER PROFILE: CJ Schmid |
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Fast answers, fast cars, and a fast-growing passion for helping Arizona drivers discover EVs. Yes, we are talking about CJ Schmid! As a DRIVE Electric Arizona and Valley of the Sun EVA event volunteer, CJ loves to talk about charging curves, battery myths, daily driving economics, and 0-to-60 acceleration with equal enthusiasm.
A native of Mesa, CJ works in information technology as an I.T. Systems Administrator for a global group of pet, beauty, and tattoo supply brands. He is also passionate about EVs. Give him a parking lot, a curious crowd, and a few honest questions about EVs, and he is in his element. Outside the EV world he also dabbles in photography, 3D printing, and electronic music shows. And, just to keep things interesting, he can speak some Mandarin Chinese! |
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CJ currently drives a 2024 Polestar 2 Performance: sleek, quick, and a little bit underappreciated by people who have not yet had the pleasure. But his first EV was a BMW i3 S, a car he chose not because it was ordinary, but because it absolutely was not. Raised on his grandfather’s 1970s Mini Cooper, CJ has always had a weakness for quirky small cars with personality. “Despite its flaws, limited range, and admittedly strange design, it (the i3 S) was an engineering marvel and a blast to drive,” he says. That early experience told him something important: electric vehicles were not just practical appliances. They could also be genuinely fun. |
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EV volunteer CJ Schmid and his 2024 Polestar 2 Performance. “The look on people’s faces when I put the pedal to the floor never gets old!” |
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That combination of fun and practicality still shapes the way CJ talks about EVs today. Ask what he loves most about driving electric, and yes, he’ll happily admit the classic answer: not paying for gas. “This year more than ever, I think people are seeing the real impact of relying on fossil fuels. The peace of mind in knowing I can drive where I need, when I need, without cutting my budget elsewhere when gas prices jump, cannot be overstated,” he explains. But CJ also stresses that the versatility of EVs is underestimated. “An EV really is a do-everything car. It can be a calm daily commuter one minute, a track beast the next, then haul everything home after a trip to IKEA,” he says. “I'm biased, but the Polestar 2 is a shining example.”
Learn more about CJ’s take on EV affordability, the benefits of solar, and why he volunteers… |
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| | Why Used EVs Make So Much Sense |
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Used electric vehicles are having a moment, and for many buyers, that is very good news. The market is seeing a wave of off-lease EVs, which means more selection, better pricing, and many more options with over 200 miles of range than shoppers could find just a few years ago. In our guide pictured here, Your Guide to Buying a Used Electric Vehicle, it is noted that many used EVs with 200+ miles of range are now available in roughly the $15,000 to $25,000 range, with some strong entry models priced even lower.
The Benefits of Buying Used |
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One of the biggest benefits of a used EV is lower operating cost. Compared with a gas vehicle, an EV typically costs less to fuel at home and much less to maintain. Our guide estimates home charging at about 3–5 cents per mile, compared with roughly 10–15 cents per mile for gasoline, and says maintenance costs can average around $150–$300 per year for an EV versus about $900–$1,800 per year for a gas vehicle. That difference adds up quickly.
Used EVs also tend to be simpler vehicles mechanically. No oil changes, no spark plugs, no exhaust-system repairs, and no transmission service make ownership easier and often less stressful. Regenerative braking can also significantly reduce brake wear, another savings many first-time EV buyers do not realize until after they own one. |
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A second major advantage is that battery durability has turned out to be much better than many people feared. The guide notes that a 3%–5% range drop in the first few years is common, followed by a long, much slower decline, and that off-lease EVs typically still retain 95% or more of their original range. It also cites Cox Automotive testing of nearly 80,000 used EVs, finding an average battery health score of 92%. |
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So what should shoppers look for when buying a used EV? First, check the remaining battery warranty. Federal law requires at least an 8-year/100,000-mile battery warranty, and many automakers go beyond that. Second, ask for a battery health score or battery report if one is available. Third, confirm the vehicle’s real-world range, charging speed, and whether it includes DC fast charging if you expect to road-trip or rely on public charging.
It is also smart to pay attention to model-specific issues. For example, the guide notes that older Nissan LEAF models had less-effective battery cooling, so buyers should check battery bars and battery health carefully. By contrast, vehicles like the Chevrolet Bolt EV/EUV, Tesla Model 3, Tesla Model Y, Hyundai Kona Electric, Kia Niro EV, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, and Volkswagen ID.4 are highlighted as strong used-EV values depending on budget and needs. |
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The bottom line is simple: a used EV can be one of the smartest buys in today’s car market. Buyers can often get modern range, lower fueling costs, lower maintenance, and a quieter, smoother driving experience for less than many people expect. The key is to shop carefully, ask good questions, and focus on battery health, warranty coverage, and charging capability—not just sticker price.
Read the article here… |
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| | DRIVE ELECTRIC ARIZONA CHAPTER UPDATES |
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| DRIVE Electric Earth Month Ride & Drive a Big Success at Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community |
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A Fantastic EV Lineup
Volunteer owners brought an impressive mix of EVs for the public to drive, including Rivian R1S, Cadillac Lyriq, Cadillac Optiq, Lucid Air, Kia EV6, Polestar 2 Performance, Tesla Model Y, BMW i4, Nissan Ariya, and Hyundai Ioniq 5.
The Rivian R1S brought by a Rivian representative, drew special attention with a demonstration of Rivian’s Kick Turn feature.
We also had a strong static display lineup: a Lucid Gravity, a Kia EV6 GT, a Porsche Taycan, Rivian R1S, BMW i4, Polestar 2, and a Ford Mustang Mach-E GT. |
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| Photo credit: Todd Broeker |
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The R1T Did Double Duty
Because the event included both the Tribe’s broader Earth Day area and the separate Ride & Drive area, we used the Spirit of Arizona Rivian R1T in a creative and very useful way. Positioned in the main Earth Day area, the R1T served as a ride vehicle, giving attendees and people carrying bulky bags a lift over to the Ride & Drive area. That turned out to be a terrific outreach tool in itself, creating many great conversations about the truck and about EVs more broadly.
Citizen Science for Cleaner Air
At the Valley of the Sun Electric Vehicle Association booth at the tribe’s Earth Day area, we also handed out a large number of free PurpleAir air quality monitors through our American Lung Association grant.
Read more here… |
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| | Academy of Math & Science Peoria Advanced School Earth Day Event! |
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On Earth Day 2026, Valley of the Sun Electric Vehicle Association was pleased to support the Academy of Math & Science Peoria Advanced for its Earth Day event in Peoria. Although this was a small, two-hour static display event, it was no less important than any of our other community events. AMS Peoria Advanced is a high-performing Title 1 school, and we were especially honored that the school reached out to us after finding us online and learning about our strong reputation. As the “Valley of the Sun” Electric Vehicle Association, we work to support events throughout the Phoenix metro area, and we were glad to help make this Earth Day celebration a success. A fun bonus was that the faculty organizer even got to park his Tesla Model 3 alongside our volunteer EVs. It was wonderful to interact with EV-curious students, families, and school personnel on this special day!
Read the article here… |
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Photo credit: John Martinson |
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| | Best of Arizona Cars and Coffee & Car Club Invitational |
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On Sunday, April 19th, DRIVE Electric Arizona was invited to participate in a special Best of Arizona Cars & Coffee event around the Fountain Park in Fountain Hills, AZ. The morning was filled with hundreds of cars of all varieties, and we, along with our host BESPOKEV, staged a static EV display which included a number of production, customized, and conversion EVs. This event drew a large crowd and we had hundreds of interested and fruitful engagements! |
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In the afternoon, there was an associated but separate event, The Car Club Invitational, organized by the same group that invited car clubs to come show and have their cars judged with half a dozen trophies awarded. A 1935 vintage Ford Coupe hotrod converted to electric by its owner Robert Dowling won the trophy for Best EV Conversion, which was fitting given the "customized car" club atmosphere of the gathering. The Coupe had a Tesla battery pack and motor, dual i-pad dash gauge displays, and a custom BMS created by its maker. Amnon Salim’s 2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre was awarded the “Best EV” of the show.
Read the article here… |
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Photo credit: Jeff Turner |
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| | Prescott Earth Day on the Courthouse Square! |
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DRIVE Electric Arizona was pleased to support the Prescott Earth Day event on April 18 at the Prescott Courthouse Square, which was sponsored by the Prescott EVA chapter. It was encouraging to see strong community interest in EVs, and one of the day’s highlights was a very positive conversation with a Prescott-area EV dealership that showed strong interest in DRIVE Electric Arizona’s Trusted EV Dealership Program. That kind of engagement is exactly the sort of momentum we hope will help expand EV education, partnerships, and future events in the Prescott area.
Read the article here… |
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| Photo credit: John Martinson |
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| | 23 EVs, One Epic Day: April Rally 2026 Recap! |
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| . Valley of the Sun Electric Vehicle Association’s April Rally 2026, the 3rd Annual Four Peaks Run, delivered another unforgettable all-electric adventure into Arizona’s rugged backcountry. EV owners and enthusiasts gathered in Fountain Hills—traveling from across the state, including Waddell, Prescott, Maricopa, and Tucson—to kick off the day before heading out on both off-road and on-road routes. |
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| A group of 12 vehicles took on the Four Peaks off-road route, including the Rivian R1S and R1T, Ford F-150 Lightning, Tesla Cybertruck, Chevrolet Silverado EV, and even a Subaru Solterra—proving that electric vehicles of all types are ready for adventure. Climbing to elevations near 5,800 feet, the group experienced sweeping desert views, mountain terrain, and a true test of EV capability beyond the pavement. At the same time, 11 EVs followed an on-road route to Payson, where the group wrapped up their drive with a casual lunch at Mackey’s Grill, enjoying great food and conversation in the cool mountain air. In total, 23 electric vehicles and 36 participants took part in the day’s activities, creating a strong sense of community and shared excitement. From first-time participants to seasoned EV owners, the event highlighted the versatility, performance, and real-world capability of electric vehicles across a variety of driving conditions. This year, DRIVE Electric Arizona partnered with Worldwide Drone Solutions, who captured the experience through stunning photography and produced two exceptional videos. Be sure to check them out here. |
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| Photo & video credit: Worldwide Drone Solutions |
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| | Estrella Mountain Community College Earth Day Recap |
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| | This marks our third year partnering with Maricopa County Community College District on their annual Earth Day events, which rotate between campuses each year, allowing us to expand our reach and connect with new communities across the Valley. Throughout the morning, the lineup of vehicles drew consistent foot traffic, with attendees eager to get a closer look and ask questions about real-world EV ownership. From charging and range to cost savings and daily usability, conversations were thoughtful, practical, and often eye-opening. The presence of knowledgeable EV owners made a noticeable difference, turning curiosity into understanding through direct, peer-to-peer engagement. With seven vehicles on display, the event struck an ideal balance—large enough to showcase a range of options, yet intimate enough to allow for deeper, one-on-one conversations. That dynamic proved especially effective in a college setting, where students are actively exploring new technologies and ideas that will shape their future. Events like this continue to highlight the power of hands-on experiences in advancing EV adoption. By meeting people where they are and creating space for open dialogue, we are helping to build confidence, awareness, and excitement around electric transportation across Arizona. Read the article here… |
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| Photo credit: Shaun Barnette |
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| ABOUT DRIVE ELECTRIC ARIZONA
DRIVE Electric Arizona is Arizona's statewide "Drive Electric" program developed as an Arizona non-profit corporation under the DRIVE Electric USA Initiative. With grant funding from the Department of Energy, and in partnership with 27 states across the country, DRIVE Electric Arizona's mission is to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles. Currently, DRIVE Electric Arizona’s three chapters are Valley of the Sun, Tribal Nations (formerly Three Rivers Tribes), and Route 66 Kingman.
Launched in January 2024, the all-volunteer organization and its partners educate consumers, utilities, utility regulators, and government officials. DRIVE Electric Arizona engages auto dealers and fleet leaders, in addition to assisting with EV infrastructure planning.
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| | | CALL TO ACTION!
Support DRIVE Electric Arizona
As we work to grow Arizona's EV community, there are many easy ways to support DRIVE Electric Arizona: • please share this newsletter • engage on our social media sites • participate in EVents • make a donation |
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| | | | FORCE FOR GOOD Arizona Impact for Good is a membership organization devoted to uniting nonprofits and philanthropy across the state. DRIVE Electric Arizona is working with AZ Impact for Good to strenghen our all-volunteer efforts to advance our mission to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles throughout Arizona. |
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| | | | | Help us sustain our momentum by tagging us in your posts
and using the following hashtags! |
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| #DriveElectricAZ #VOTSEVA
#indigenousEVowners
#Route66EV
#driveelectric |
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| #electricvehicle
#eva
#deaz
#electrified #zeroemissions |
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