| Powering Arizona’s EV Future Through Community, Education, Advocacy & EVents |
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| | MAY 2026 NEWSLETTER VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 5 |
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Historic Route 66 Centennial EV Ride & Drive Coming to Downtown Flagstaff on July 18 – Join Us! |
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The Mother Road is getting a charge. |
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| 2026 is the 100th anniversary year of Historic Route 66 and DRIVE Electric Arizona is partnering with the City of Flagstaff to host a special Historic Route 66 Centennial EV Ride & Drive in the heart of Historic Downtown Flagstaff.
This free community event will celebrate the legacy of America’s most iconic highway while giving attendees a firsthand look at the future of transportation traveling that very same roadway.
Date: Saturday, July 18, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Location: 15 N. Beaver St., Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Cost: Free to attend Test Drive Requirements: Drivers must sign a digital waiver and provide a valid driver’s license.
For generations, Route 66 has symbolized freedom, exploration, innovation, and the rise of the American automobile. Now, nearly a century later, electric vehicles are helping write the next chapter of that story.
Set along the Route 66 corridor in highly visible, walkable Downtown Flagstaff, this event will give attendees a rare opportunity to experience electric vehicles on a designated segment of the Mother Road itself. Rather than serving only as a historic backdrop, Route 66 will become part of the hands-on learning experience.
In addition to test drives, the event will feature a wide variety of static EV displays representing different vehicle types, lifestyles, and price points. Experienced EV owners and trained volunteers will be on hand for owner-to-owner conversations about charging, range, road trips, maintenance, cost savings, and what it is really like to drive electric in Arizona.
The Flagstaff Ride & Drive will also include family-friendly entertainment, a food truck, and easy pedestrian access to downtown businesses, museums, restaurants, and Route 66 landmarks—creating a welcoming festival atmosphere for residents, visitors, families, students, and Route 66 travelers of all ages.
Much like Route 66 once introduced Americans to a new era of mobility and adventure, today’s electric vehicle revolution represents another transformational moment in transportation history.
Join DRIVE Electric Arizona and the City of Flagstaff on Saturday, July 18, as we celebrate the past, experience the present, and help shape the road ahead—right on Historic Route 66.
Read the article here…
Sign up to attend here…
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VOLUNTEER PROFILE: Stephanie Williams |
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| 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.
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. |
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| 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.” |
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“I’m only on my first EV, but I will NEVER go back to a gas car,” says EV volunteer Stephanie Willliams about her 2024 Polestar 2 with Pilot, Plus, and Performance Packs. |
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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.”
Learn more about Stephanie, her perspective on EVs, football, and her dog Gunther… |
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🚗⚡ Join Us for Our Annual June Rally to Jerome! ⚡🚗 |
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Ready for a fun, all-day electric adventure through some of Arizona’s most beautiful mountain roads? Join DRIVE Electric Arizona / Valley of the Sun EVA for our June Rally to Jerome on Saturday, June 20 — featuring Jerome, Mingus Mountain, Prescott, and optional bonus routes through Yarnell and Skull Valley. Just bought your first EV and haven’t driven it on a road trip yet? Join our June Rally and experience EV road tripping firsthand with a friendly group of experienced owners. Don’t own an EV yet? No problem! Consider renting an EV on Turo and joining us for the day. It’s a great way to experience electric driving on a real Arizona road trip with EV owners along for the ride. 📅 Saturday, June 20
⏰ Meetup: 7:30–8:30 AM
🚗 Departure: 8:30 AM Morning Meetup Options: 📍 CCS Drivers: Electrify America
4435 W Anthem Way, Phoenix, AZ 85086 📍 Tesla Drivers: Tesla Supercharger
3906 W New River Rd, New River, AZ 85087 At 8:30 AM, the Anthem group will depart for New River to meet up with Tesla drivers, and the full group will caravan together to Jerome. 📸 10:30 AM – Arrive in Jerome
Jerome Public Parking
📍 34.7537° N, 112.1204° W We’ll take a quick group photo, then walk about 5 minutes — or take the free shuttle — to lunch. 🍔 11:00 AM–12:30 PM – Lunch at Haunted Hamburger
410 Clark St, Jerome, AZ 86331 Come hungry for spooky fun, mountain views, and great food! After lunch, enjoy a scenic drive over Mingus Mountain and continue through Prescott. Want more road time? Keep going through Wickenburg, with twisty turns and epic scenery via Yarnell and Skull Valley. Whether you join us for the meetup, lunch, or the entire drive, we’d love to have you along. 📻 Got a GMRS radio? Bring it — it helps us stay connected during the drive. ⚡ Charging stops are available along the route, including Electrify America, Tesla Superchargers, and the Rivian Adventure Network. Let us know if you’re coming — and bring a friend! Here’s the tea: https://www.driveelectricaz.org/events#!event/2026/6/20/june-rally #DriveElectricAZ #EVRoadTrip #JeromeAZ #ElectricVehicles #ArizonaEVs #EVAdventure #ValleyOfTheSunEVA |
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Hybrid, PHEV, EREV, or BEV: What’s the Difference? |
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Not all “electrified” vehicles are the same. Find out more about the different types of EVs on the market today! Here’s a simple breakdown.
Understanding Your Electrified Vehicle Options |
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| | | | DRIVE ELECTRIC ARIZONA CHAPTER UPDATES |
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| Honoring Heroes: Memorial Day May Rally |
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| Valley of the Sun Electric Vehicle Association and DRIVE Electric Arizona volunteers and guests gathered in Mesa on May 23 for our Memorial Day Rally, bringing together Arizona's EV community for a meaningful day of fellowship, remembrance, and exploration. Participants met at the Walmart charging station near Falcon Field Airport, where EV owners spent the morning charging, sharing stories, and discussing upcoming events before setting out together for the day's destination. |
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| At 10:00 a.m., the group traveled across the street to the Arizona Commemorative Air Force Museum, one of Arizona's premier aviation history destinations. Members explored an impressive collection of restored military aircraft, exhibits, artifacts, and historical displays that preserve the legacy of the men and women who served in America's armed forces. The museum's collection provided a powerful reminder of the courage, innovation, and sacrifice that have shaped our nation's history.
The rally offered a meaningful way to commemorate Memorial Day weekend while strengthening the connections that make Arizona's EV community so special. From conversations around charging infrastructure and road trips to shared appreciation for aviation and military history, the event highlighted the spirit of community that continues to drive both organizations forward. Thank you to everyone who joined us, and we look forward to seeing you at our next Valley of the Sun Electric Vehicle Association and DRIVE Electric Arizona adventure.
Read the article here… |
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| Photo credits: Peter Culin, Nathan Culin |
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| | DRIVE Electric Arizona Celebrates Route 66’s Centennial with EVs on the Mother Road |
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| Historic Route 66 came alive with a unique blend of automotive heritage and transportation innovation as electric vehicle owners joined hundreds of classic car enthusiasts for the 37th Annual Historic Route 66 Arizona Fun Run and the 4th Annual Electrified Fun Run, held May 1–3, 2026. |
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| Photo credits: Shaun Barnette, Scott Toughill, and John Martinson |
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| As Arizona’s longest continuous stretch of Route 66 helped launch celebrations for the highway’s upcoming 100th anniversary, electric vehicles took their place alongside vintage classics to demonstrate how the Mother Road continues to evolve into its second century.
The weekend began with participants gathering in Seligman, the birthplace of Historic Route 66 preservation, where excitement built for the iconic journey across one of America's most celebrated highways.
Saturday morning saw Fun Run participants line up before sunrise in Seligman before embarking on the legendary drive westward. Traveling through small Route 66 communities, EV drivers experienced the same scenic landscapes and historic towns that have attracted travelers for generations while demonstrating that electric vehicles are equally at home on America's most famous highway.
One of the highlights of the journey was a stop in Peach Springs, the capital of the Hualapai Nation and cultural headquarters of the Hualapai Tribe. More than a dozen electric vehicles gathered in a dedicated display area, where EV owners spent the morning engaging with local residents, tribal members, and fellow Fun Run participants. Visitors had the opportunity to explore a variety of electric cars and trucks, ask questions about charging and ownership, and hear firsthand experiences from EV drivers who have embraced electric transportation for both daily driving and long-distance travel.
Read more here… |
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| | | Historic Route 66 Centennial EV Showcase at Hualapai Nation |
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| | Peach Springs sits along one of the most iconic stretches of Historic Route 66 in Northern Arizona and serves as the cultural headquarters of the Hualapai Tribe, a one-million-acre American Indian Community with deep ties to the land, the Grand Canyon region, and Route 66 history. Thanks to the generous hospitality of the Hualapai, we were provided a display area in the center of all the action on Route 66, where we hosted as many as 17 EVs giving Fun Run participants and community members a chance to see, touch, and ask questions about today’s growing selection of electric cars and trucks.
EV owners traveled from across Arizona, as well as from Pacifica and Sacramento, California, and Las Vegas, Nevada, to share ...
Finish the article here… |
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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, Native 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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