|
| Powering Arizona’s EV Future Through Community, Education, Advocacy & EVents |
|
| | NOVEMBER 2025 NEWSLETTER VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 11 |
|
| | | EV SPOTLIGHTThe Spirit of Arizona EV Education Project: Inspiring the Next Generation of Clean-Energy Leaders |
|
|
Arizona’s future runs on clean energy — and education is where that journey begins. That’s the idea behind the Spirit of Arizona EV Education Project, a statewide outreach program from DRIVE Electric Arizona that brings science, culture, and sustainability learning directly to students and families. At the heart of the program is the Spirit of Arizona itself — a Rivian R1T electric truck wrapped in Indigenous iconography representing values like resilience, transformation, and balance. More than a showpiece, it’s a rolling classroom that travels to schools and community events across Arizona. |
|
|
What Students Experience Through the Spirit of Arizona Discovery Workbook, students explore eight Indigenous symbols — the Sun, Saguaro, Eagle, Horse, Butterfly, Rattlesnake, Turtle, and Corn — and connect those ideas to energy, nature, and their own lives. Elementary students reflect on what each symbol means to them. Middle and high school students go deeper, linking each symbol’s meaning to clean-energy technology, like solar power and electric vehicles.
Each participant takes home a Spirit of Arizona Discovery workbook filled with short lessons, art prompts, and reflection activities. Families receive a Spirit of Arizona InfoCard with project QR codes linking to bilingual clean-energy content, Solar + EV information, Cheaper, Faster, Better resources, and an active event calendar, especially for Ride and Drives—hands-on events where participants can test-drive a variety of electric vehicles while speaking directly with EV owners about charging, costs, range, and real-life driving experiences. And for completing the activity, students also earn a collectible Electric Vehicle Hot Wheels car — a fun, modern echo of the giveaways that once made kids influence where their parents fueled up.
Why It Matters Decades ago, children convinced parents which gas stations to visit as many brands offered gifts, prizes and other toyssuch as plastic dinosaurs. Today, young people are once again leading the way, this time toward clean energy. By engaging students early and giving them tools to start conversations at home, the Spirit of Arizona Project helps build a new generation of informed advocates — for electric vehicles, solar power, and a healthier planet. A New Model for EV Education That Nonprofits Can Replicate Nationwide The Spirit of Arizona EV Project offers a scalable, culturally responsive model for EV outreach that other nonprofits can adopt or adapt. The program is: DRIVE Electric Arizona invites nonprofits, educators, Tribal organizations, youth programs, and municipal partners to collaborate in bringing this model to their communities. Learn More Visit: https://www.driveelectricaz.org/spirit-of-arizona Email: Spirit@DriveElectricAZ.org |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| | | Thinking About Getting a New Car? |
|
| Here’s a bit of economic reality: Inflation has driven up the cost of everything—gas, oil changes, replacement parts, even road-trip snacks. But there’s one decision that flips the script: Buy or lease an electric vehicle. Why? Because EVs are not just cleaner… They are Cheaper, Faster, Better — especially when every dollar counts. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CHEAPER Gasoline prices surge with global instability. Electricity doesn’t. Charging at home can be equivalent to paying $1.00–$1.50 per gallon—a price you haven’t seen since flip phones and frosted tips. EVs have fewer moving parts, meaning no oil changes, no engine tune-ups, and far fewer surprise repairs. Over time, you keep more of your money where it belongs: in your wallet, not at the pump.
FASTER Inflation steals time as much as money. EVs give it back. No more detours to gas stations. Plug in overnight while you sleep, wake up “full,” and get going. Plus, instant torque means EVs accelerate like they’re allergic to waiting. Once you experience it, regular cars feel like dial-up internet. |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BETTER EVs don’t just save cash—they upgrade your life. They’re quieter, smoother, cleaner, and don’t pollute the air your family breathes. And in Arizona, where air-quality alerts are as common as sunny days, that matters.
THE BOTTOM LINE If you’re shopping for a car during high inflation, you have two choices: Buy a gas vehicle and commit to rising fuel prices, unpredictable repair costs, and outdated technology. Buy or lease an EV and lock in the most stable transportation costs available today. Inflation might make life expensive—but driving doesn’t have to be. DRIVE Electric Arizona Cheaper. Faster. Better. And now, smarter. |
|
| |
| | |
| | Congratulations to Lenore Knudtson of Kingman who was the lucky winner of the Ford Mustang e-Bike Raffle on November 8th at the Arizona Fall Festival in Phoenix! Thank you to San Tan Ford for their generous donation and to all of you who purchased raffle tickets! Your donations help support DRIVE Electric Arizona’s EV mission to accelerate clean, sustainable transportation in Arizona. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | |
Renewable Energy Works 24/7 - Fossil Fuels Don’t |
|
|
Solar energy paired with utility-scale batteries can deliver power around the clock, day and night, and those systems keep producing for decades. No fuel to buy, no fuel to burn, no supply chain risks. Compare that to oil, coal, and natural gas: 🔥 They must be constantly extracted, transported, and burned ⛽ Their fuel supply is never guaranteed 💸 And every kilowatt-hour costs money again and again |
|
|
Solar, on the other hand, is hugely efficient. Once the panels and batteries are in place, the energy is clean, reliable, and incredibly affordable. And it’s not just large power plants — 🏠 Rooftop solar with home batteries 🌄 Balcony/plug-in solar systems 🌬️ Wind 🔥 Geothermal ⚡ Electric vehicles |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | | DRIVE ELECTRIC ARIZONA CHAPTER UPDATES |
|
|
| Grand Avenue Festival Phoenix - A Supercharged Debut! |
|
|
Thanks to Todd Broeker for getting DRIVE Electric Arizona invited to Phoenix’s Grand Avenue Festival on Saturday, November 8, our first-ever appearance at the annual event. This vibrant, all-day street celebration ran from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, drawing thousands of curious visitors, local families, artists, and innovators from across the Valley.
We set up our canopy along the festival route and showcased four standout electric vehicles owned and driven by our members: Spirit of Arizona — John Martinson’s iconic, culturally wrapped Rivian R1T Polestar 2 — proudly presented by CJ Schmid Kia EV6 GT — Todd Broeker’s blazing-fast performance EV Ford Mustang Mach-E GT — Hans Klose’s highway-ready electric muscle
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Response? Electrifying.
Festivalgoers visited our booth throughout the day, asking questions, sharing stories, and exploring the vehicles inside and out. Many were surprised to learn how far EV technology has come—and how many options exist right here in Arizona. Kids loved the colorful Spirit of Arizona truck, while adults were especially curious about costs, charging convenience, and driving performance.
A First Visit… But Not the Last
Our presence made such a positive impact that festival organizers invited us back for 2026 on the spot—an honor we are thrilled to accept.
Thanks to everyone who stopped by, asked questions, or shared your excitement about electric mobility. Your enthusiasm fuels our mission.
See you on Grand Avenue in 2026!
Read the article here…
*Be sure to check out our DRIVE Electric Arizona Event Calendar for upcoming Ride & Drive events, Rallies, and special events! |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | Community Power on Display: DRIVE Electric Arizona at the Arizona Fall Festival |
|
|
(November 8, 2025) DRIVE Electric Arizona had a tremendous showing at this year’s Arizona Fall Festival at Margaret T. Hance Park, where thousands of attendees enjoyed a perfect fall day exploring local vendors, food trucks, live music — and, of course, our full EV display and information booth. The festival continues to be one of the state’s largest community gatherings celebrating all things local, making it an ideal venue to connect with residents curious about electric transportation. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Photo credit: Adam Draper |
|
|
|
Strong Engagement & Meaningful Conversations
Throughout the day, the DRIVE Electric Arizona team answered a steady stream of questions from families, students, retirees, and first-time EV shoppers. Many attendees had never sat in or explored an EV before, and our volunteers provided real-world ownership insights about charging, range, costs, incentives, and the everyday benefits of going electric. Visitors were especially interested in: How far modern EVs can go in Arizona’s heat Home charging basics The growth of public fast-charging networks statewide Total cost of ownership What EV models are available now — and what’s coming next
These one-on-one conversations, rooted in real ownership experience rather than sales pressure, continue to be one of the most powerful tools for accelerating EV adoption. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| A Diverse EV Lineup That Drew Crowds
Our vehicle display highlighted the variety of today’s electric options, helping attendees understand that EVs now span every use case — from commuting to off-roading, towing, and family road-tripping. Families, in particular, enjoyed seeing the mix of vehicles and learning about how each is used in real-world Arizona driving.
Raffle Wrap-Up: Congratulations to Our Winner!
Raffle ticket sales for the Ford Mustang E-Bike, generously donated by San Tan Ford, our founding Trusted EV Dealership, wrapped up during the festival, drawing lots of excitement throughout the day. We’re thrilled to announce that the winner is Lenore Knudtson of Kingman! A huge congratulations to Lenore, and thank you to everyone who purchased tickets in support of DRIVE Electric Arizona’s outreach and community programs.
Read more about the event, our awesome volunteers and EV education here… |
|
| |
November Rally to Raven’s View in Cave Creek |
|
|
EV owners, both new and experienced, joined together on Saturday, November 15th for our monthly rally at Raven’s View — a perfect mix of community, conversation, and clean-transportation enthusiasm. Raven’s View provided a relaxed, welcoming venue with a beautiful desert-mountain backdrop — ideal for EV owners to connect, share stories, and enjoy a social atmosphere. The air was cool and the sun bright and warm. |
|
| What Happened • The event featured a casual meetup where folks swapped EV-life stories and compared charging habits. • Guests mingled, asked real-world questions, and got a firsthand sense of how smooth and social EV ownership can be — especially among supportive peers. • Newcomers experienced the diversity within the EV community: from family commuter models to adventure-ready SUVs, the lineup showcased the flexibility and lifestyle benefits of going electric. We experienced a diverse lineup of vehicles, including: BMW i4 Cadillac Lyriq Ford Mustang Mach-E Kia EV6 (2) Lucid Air Nissan Ariya (2) Rivian R1S (3) Rivian R1T Tesla Model X
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Photo credits: Rachel Culin, Peter Culin, Suzanne Martinson |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Highlights & Takeaways • Community building at its best. The rally demonstrated once more that EV adoption isn’t just about cars — it’s about connecting people committed to a cleaner, sustainable future. • Momentum for future events. The positive energy, new faces, and shared enthusiasm continue to fuel future Ride & Drives, chapter expansion, and statewide outreach. What’s Next….read more |
|
| |
Surprise SciTech Festival - A Great Day for STEAM & EV Awareness |
|
|
On Saturday, November 22, 2025, hundreds of families, kids, and community members gathered at the Surprise Recreation Campus in Surprise, AZ for the annual Surprise SciTech Festival — a lively, hands-on celebration of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM). |
|
|
|
| Photo credit: Peter Culin |
|
|
| Over 100 interactive exhibits and booths, showcasing everything from robotics, 3-D printing, coding demos, to solar telescopes and space exploration displays, offering something for all ages. Live science and tech demonstrations: fun, informative shows that turned abstract concepts into something tangible — perfect for igniting curiosity in young minds. STEAM-career & innovation spotlight: local schools, universities, civic groups, and businesses presented pathways and opportunities in science, technology and green industries — a valuable resource for students, parents, and anyone curious about STEAM careers. Family-friendly atmosphere: from preschoolers to teens to adults, everyone was welcome — and many left inspired by what they saw.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Why It Mattered — And What It Meant for EV Advocacy Given our mission at DRIVE Electric Arizona — to promote EVs and remove adoption barriers across the state — the SciTech Festival offered an ideal platform to reach families and future-focused individuals already interested in science, technology, and environmental innovation. Many attendees who engaged with STEAM exhibits are exactly the kind of forward-thinking people who are likely to embrace electric vehicles and clean energy. By participating (or simply being aware of) events like Surprise SciTech, we help nurture a culture that appreciates innovation, sustainability, and the promise of a clean-transportation future. To finish the article, use this link… |
|
| |
| 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.
|
|
| | | 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 |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | | | 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. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| | | | | Help us sustain our momentum by tagging us in your posts
and using the following hashtags! |
|
| #DriveElectricAZ #VOTSEVA
#indigenousEVowners
#Route66EV
#driveelectric |
|
|
| #electricvehicle
#eva
#deaz
#electrified #zeroemissions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | |
Charge On!
John S Martinson and Peter Culin
Co-Founders
DRIVE Electric Arizona and
Valley of the Sun Electric Vehicle Association |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | | |
| | | | | |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
