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Powering Arizona’s EV Future Through Community, Education, Advocacy & EVents |
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JULY 2025 NEWSLETTER VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 7 |
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EV SPOTLIGHT: Trusted EV Dealership |
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San Tan Ford Named Founding DRIVE Electric Arizona Trusted EV Dealership by DRIVE Electric Arizona |
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DRIVE Electric Arizona is proud to recognize San Tan Ford as the Founding DRIVE Electric Arizona Trusted EV Dealership, setting a new benchmark for what it means to lead in the electric vehicle revolution. (See the Trusted EV Dealership site.) From the moment you walk into their showroom, San Tan Ford makes it clear: this is not just a dealership that sells EVs—this is a dealership that believes in them. |
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A National EV Leader
San Tan Ford isn’t just leading in Arizona—it’s making a national impact. It ranks as the #3 Ford EV dealership in the entire United States, a testament to its exceptional sales team, EV inventory, and customer-first approach to the electric transition. |
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Visionary Leadership Much of San Tan Ford’s EV leadership stems from the forward-thinking commitment of Tim Hovik, the dealership’s owner. A respected leader in the industry and in the community, Tim has made electric vehicles a strategic priority at San Tan Ford—investing early in infrastructure, staff training, and public education. His support for EV adoption is not just business—it’s a belief in a cleaner, more innovative future for Arizona and beyond. |
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| Leading by Example
At the heart of San Tan Ford’s EV success is John Deming, whose title is EV Dealership Champion. Deming oversees a knowledgeable and passionate team. Of the dealership’s 285-employees, more than 50 drive EVs and growing. Increasingly, San Tan Ford’s team speaks from experience, not just a spec sheet.
EVs on Display—Inside and Out Visitors to the dealership will find a dynamic electric lineup, including: Ford Mustang Mach-E: all trims & colors Ford F-150 Lightning EV: all trims & colors Ford’s new eBikes: the Mustang Electric Road eBike, the Bronco Electric Mountain eBike, and Mustang eBike 60th Anniversary Edition
Multiple trims and color options are available just outside the showroom, giving customers the chance to see, sit in, and fall in love with their EV before even stepping inside. |
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Breathe Easier: Free Air Quality Sensors Through the American Lung Association & DRIVE Electric Arizona by John S Martinson, Co-Founder and President, DRIVE Electric Arizona |
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Air pollution doesn’t just cloud our skies—it threatens our lungs, our health, and our future. That’s why DRIVE Electric Arizona is proud to be a participating partner in the American Lung Association’s “State of the Air: Burden Report” initiative (Lung.org/AZ-climate)—a powerful program that shines a light on the unequal health burden of air pollution across communities and empowers local residents with tools to take action. |
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The Burden of Bad Air According to the American Lung Association’s Burden Report, nearly 4 in 10 Americans live in areas with unhealthy levels of air pollution. The health consequences—especially for children, seniors, and those with asthma or other respiratory conditions—are severe. In Arizona, communities of color and low-income neighborhoods often bear the brunt of these impacts, despite contributing the least to pollution. |
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Free PurpleAir Monitor – Limited Supply!
To help track and combat air pollution at the local level, DRIVE Electric Arizona is partnering with the American Lung Association to provide free PurpleAir air quality monitors to residents who want to join the movement for cleaner air. These small, Wi-Fi-connected sensors let you monitor your air quality in real time, right from your phone or computer—so you can take control of the air you breathe. To request your FREE air monitor (while supplies last), email: jsmartinson@driveelectricaz.org
Find out why DRIVE Electric Arizona is involved… |
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Meet our Sponsors.Special thanks to our DRIVE Electric Arizona Sponsors for their support and generosity! Please take a minute to see who is helping Drive the Change! |
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DRIVE ELECTRIC ARIZONA CHAPTER UPDATES |
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July Rally Recap: Edge of the World & Lowell Observatory |
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On Saturday, July 12th, EV drivers from across Arizona came together for one of DRIVE Electric Arizona’s most scenic and adventurous rallies yet! With 13 electric vehicles and 22 enthusiastic attendees, participants had the option of two incredible Northern Arizona destinations. |
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Before heading north, many of the EVs met up at Electrify America in Anthem, creating an epic caravan up I-17 that turned heads all the way to Flagstaff. The group enjoyed a delicious lunch together at 1899 Bar & Grill, setting the tone for a day filled with exploration and connection.
Five rugged Rivians broke off from the main group and ventured deep into the Coconino National Forest for an off-road journey to the aptly named Edge of the World—a remote overlook offering panoramic views, towering cliffs, and refreshing mountain air. Along the way, the trail revealed a stunning variety of naturescapes, from dense groves of towering pines to unexpected fields of ferns, making the journey just as breathtaking as the destination.
Meanwhile, the remaining EVs headed to … |
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| Photo credits: Peter Culin, Rachel Culin |
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DRIVE Electric Valley of the Sun Chapter Participates in the Launch of EVA’s Freedom to Drive Electric Campaign |
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On Tuesday, July 15th, DRIVE Electric Arizona’s Valley of the Sun Chapter joined a distinguished group of Veterans in Phoenix to support the Electric Vehicle Association’s (EVA) nationwide launch of the Freedom to Drive Electric campaign. Featuring chapter members’ US-built electric cars…
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| Photo credit: Peter Culin |
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| Route 66 Turns 100 - And We’re Charging into the Future! |
| Next year marks a monumental milestone: the Centennial of Historic Route 66—America’s most legendary highway. And in true Arizona style, the celebration kicks off with the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona’s Annual FUN RUN, set for May 1–3, 2026. DRIVE Electric Arizona has proudly participated in the FUN RUN since 2022, representing the growing community of electric drivers eager to show that EVs don’t just belong in cities—they belong on open highways, small-town main streets, and the historic roads that connect them. |
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| In 2026, we’re going BIG. Our DRIVE Electric Route 66 – Kingman Chapter is planning something special for 2026 as our flagship event of the spring. We’ll be helping to electrify the FUN RUN experience with EVs from all generations and a celebration of the planned expansion of Kingman’s Historic Electric Vehicle Museum. |
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🗓️ Save the Date: • May 2, 2026 - during the 37th Historic Route 66 Fun Run (May 1–3, 2026) • Kingman, Arizona • More info coming soon! |
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DRIVE Electric Tribal Nations Chapter Leads EVSE Effort |
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DRIVE Electric Tribal Nations Chapter President Hans Klose is leading an effort to conduct Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Planning in three (3) native communities as part of our federal grant program.
The three communities are:
• Tuba City (Navajo Nation) • Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community • Tohono O’odham Nation |
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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.
Forward this link to subscribe (https://www.driveelectricaz.org/subscribe) |
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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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With your help, we are increasing awareness about DRIVE Electric Arizona and our three chapters: Valley of the Sun, Tribal Nations, and Route 66 Kingman. |
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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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Charge On!
John S Martinson and Peter Culin
Co-Founders
DRIVE Electric Arizona and
Valley of the Sun Electric Vehicle Association |
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