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| Powering Arizona’s EV Future Through Community, Education, Advocacy & EVents |
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| | OCTOBER 2025 NEWSLETTER VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 10 |
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| | | EV SPOTLIGHTDRIVE Electric Arizona Launches New Bilingual Website Sections |
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| Empowering Every Arizonan to Drive Electric — in English and Español DRIVE Electric Arizona is proud to announce the launch of new bilingual sections on our website, expanding access to trusted, Arizona-specific information about electric vehicles for all communities across the state. The update includes three cornerstone features now available in both English and Spanish: |
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⚡ The Spirit of Arizona Project
A vibrant storytelling initiative connecting EVs to Arizona’s landscapes, cultures, and people — from Indigenous and Latino communities to rural drivers and urban commuters. The project explores how clean transportation supports healthier air, cultural resilience, and economic opportunity.
💨 Cheaper • Faster • Better Hub Our educational hub that breaks down why EVs are not only better for the planet, but better for your wallet and your daily life. The bilingual version explains EV cost savings, performance advantages, and environmental benefits in simple, relatable language designed for families, renters, and first-time buyers. |
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💬 Smart Chatbot Assistance — Now Bilingual! Need quick answers? Our AI-powered chatbot is available 24/7 to help visitors learn about charging, incentives, and EV ownership — en inglés o en español. Whether you’re comparing models, planning a road trip, or exploring EV options for your apartment, the chatbot provides accurate, Arizona-focused guidance in real time. 🧭 Why It Matters Arizona’s EV future belongs to everyone. Making resources bilingual helps ensure families, small business owners, tribal members, and community leaders across the state can confidently explore the transition to clean, electric mobility — without language barriers. 🌵 Explore. Learn. Share. Visit driveelectricaz.org/spirit-of-arizona to experience the new bilingual sections, discover the stories behind Arizona’s EV movement, and try the chatbot for yourself. Together, we’re building a cleaner, more connected Arizona — one electric mile at a time.
Read the article here… |
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| | | CHEAPER: Why Arizona Drivers Should Drive Electric |
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Even Without Federal Tax Incentives, the Savings Add Up
Now that federal EV purchase incentives have ended for many models, Arizona drivers may wonder whether going electric still makes financial sense. The short answer: absolutely.
From low electricity rates to local utility rebates, EVs remain the smartest, most economical choice for Arizona households — especially those who charge at home. |
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💰 Lower Cost per Mile
Electricity in Arizona is among the most affordable in the Southwest. Average residential rate: about 15.38¢/kWh — roughly 11 % lower than the U.S. average. Typical EV efficiency: ~3 miles per kWh. Result: about $5.00 per 100 miles at standard rates.
Compare that to a gasoline car: Over 12,000 miles a year, that’s roughly $1,200 in annual fuel savings, even before counting maintenance reductions.
📊 Chart 1: “Cost per 100 Miles — EV vs Gasoline in Arizona”
🌙 Cheaper at Night: EV-Specific Utility Rates
Continue reading this article here… |
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| Check out our website’s EVENT CALENDAR and RSVP to get involved!
November 8, 2025 | Arizona Fall Fest, Phoenix
November 8, 2025 | Grand Avenue Festival, Phoenix
November 14, 2025 | Power Up Tarwater S.T.E.A.M. Festival, Chandler
November 15, 2025 | November Rally, Cave Creek
November 22, 2025 | SciTech Festival, Surprise
December 14, 2025 | Sedona EV Ride & Drive, Sedona (new date)
January 24, 2026 | Cave Creek EV Ride & Drive, Cave Creek
May 1-3, 2026 | Route 66 Fun Run, Kingman (details coming soon!) |
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| Win a Ford Mustang e-Bike! Drawing is Nov 8! |
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| Cruise in style. Cut your carbon footprint. Support clean transportation in Arizona. DRIVE Electric Arizona is thrilled to announce our Ford Mustang e-Bike Raffle, thanks to the generous donation from our partner, San Tan Ford. This sleek, high-performance electric bike will be on display at all of our upcoming Ride & Drive events leading up to the drawing on November 8, 2025 at the Local First Festival in Phoenix. Why You’ll Love the Ford Mustang e-Bike 🚀 Pedal Assist up to 28 mph — powerful, fast, and fun 🔋 60-mile range — perfect for commuting, errands, or weekend rides 🌱 Zero emissions — sustainable transportation that looks and feels amazing 💲 $4,390 value — yours for the price of a raffle ticket!
How to Enter 🎟 Purchase your raffle tickets today at www.driveelectricaz.org. 📅 Raffle Period: August 17 – November 8, 2025 📍 Drawing: November 8, 2025, 3:00 PM at the Local First Festival, Margaret T. Hance Park (DRIVE Electric Arizona booth). ✅ Eligibility: Must be 18 or older and an Arizona resident to enter. Want to see it in person? Come by any DRIVE Electric Arizona Ride & Drive event — the Mustang e-Bike will be on display, and our team will be there to answer your questions before you enter. Bonus Entry! Register for a TEST RIDE at Ford-Bikes.com and you’ll be automatically entered to win a Ford Bronco Bend! Important Raffle Details Ticket valid only with verified payment No cash value; not tax-deductible Winner responsible for all federal, state, and local taxes Employees, officers, and immediate family members of DRIVE Electric Arizona are ineligible Winner need not be present to win
Don’t miss your chance to own this cutting-edge Ford Mustang e-Bike — while supporting DRIVE Electric Arizona’s mission to accelerate clean, sustainable transportation in our state. 👉 Purchase Your Tickets Now |
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We’ve launched a friendly, always-on chatbot to help Arizonans get quick, trustworthy answers about electric vehicles, charging, events, and our programs. It lives on our website and is designed for both new EV shoppers and longtime drivers who just need a fast, clear answer.
What it is Think of the chatbot as your on-call EV guide. It can: Explain EV basics (range, charging types, tax credits, maintenance) Point you to local resources, events, and DEAZ programs Help renters and property managers understand charging options Summarize key “Cheaper • Faster • Better” benefits in plain language Provide Spanish-friendly responses when you ask in Spanish
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How to use it Ask in your own words. Try: “What’s the difference between Level 1, Level 2, and DC fast charging?” “Can I road-trip from Phoenix to Flagstaff in a non-Tesla?” “I manage a small apartment—how do I add EV charging?”
Follow the links. When the chatbot cites a DEAZ page or guide, click through for details you can save or share. Get a quick summary. Ask, “Explain this like I’m new to EVs” or “Give me the 3 key takeaways.” Switch languages. Start your question en español to get Spanish-friendly answers.
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| What it is Think of the chatbot as your on-call EV guide. It can: Explain EV basics (range, charging types, tax credits, maintenance) Point you to local resources, events, and DEAZ programs Help renters and property managers understand charging options Summarize key “Cheaper • Faster • Better” benefits in plain language Provide Spanish-friendly responses when you ask in Spanish
How to use it Ask in your own words. Try: “What’s the difference between Level 1, Level 2, and DC fast charging?” “Can I road-trip from Phoenix to Flagstaff in a non-Tesla?” “I manage a small apartment—how do I add EV charging?”
Follow the links. When the chatbot cites a DEAZ page or guide, click through for details you can save or share. Get a quick summary. Ask, “Explain this like I’m new to EVs” or “Give me the 3 key takeaways.” Switch languages. Start your question en español to get Spanish-friendly answers.
Here is an example of recent question and answer from a community member:
“What events or programs does Drive Electric Arizona offer for community members?”
Find out the answer and continue reading here… |
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| Calling All Professional Drivers!
Do you drive for:
• Rideshare - Uber / Lyft / or other rideshare partner
• Delivery - UberEats, Amazon
• Fleets - Taxi driver
• Are you a Truck Driver, a Courier or other Professional Driver?
We want to hear about your experiences as a Professional driver in metro Phoenix so that we can learn what resources or support would make this a better experience for you. We are holding one on one conversations with drivers and focus groups with drivers over the next few weeks and want to hear from you. Participants will receive a $50 VISA Gift card as a thank you for sharing your expertise. Contact research@evnoire.com for additional questions. Sign up using the QR code in the flyer or you can use this link. |
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| | DRIVE ELECTRIC ARIZONA CHAPTER UPDATES |
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| Phoenix EV Ride & Drive: A Community Charged with Energy |
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Under the wide-open skies of Phoenix, the Gateway Community College parking lot came alive on Saturday, October 4, 2025, as families, students, and first-time EV drivers poured in for the Phoenix EV Ride & Drive. The hum of conversation replaced the roar of engines as guests stepped into the future—one test drive at a time. |
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The event buzzed with excitement from the moment the first cars rolled into position. Rows of gleaming electric vehicles—from compact commuters to family haulers and adventure-ready SUVs—lined the lot, inviting visitors to explore, ask questions, and most importantly, drive. With the help of volunteer EV owners riding shotgun, curious newcomers got to feel firsthand what makes driving electric so exhilarating—the instant torque, the smooth silence, and that unmistakable grin that appears the moment the go-pedal is pressed.
By midday, the air was filled with laughter and energy as 134 guest drives looped through the course, each one sparking new curiosity and confidence. The experience transformed skepticism into excitement as guests discovered that electric vehicles are Cheaper, Faster, Better. |
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| Photo credit: City of Phoenix |
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| | | October Rally Recap: Brunch at O.H.S.O. Paradise Valley |
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| On October 18th, the October Rally to Brunch was a relaxed and friendly gathering that brought together a mix of longtime volunteers and newcomers to the DRIVE Electric Arizona community. We rallied up in the parking lot, shared stories about our EV journeys, and caught up on upcoming events before heading inside for a casual brunch.
Conversations flowed easily—from charging updates and favorite routes to new models hitting the road. It was the perfect way to spend a Saturday morning with great company, good food, and a shared enthusiasm for driving electric. Thanks to everyone who came out and helped make the event a success! |
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Photo credit: Rachel Culin |
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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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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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