| Powering Arizona’s EV Future Through Community, Education, Advocacy & EVents |
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| | OCTOBER 2026 NEWSLETTER VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 10 |
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| | | November Rally to Cottonwood! Join us on November 22nd! |
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| Check out our website’s EVENT CALENDAR and RSVP to get involved - attend, volunteer!
November 7, 2026 | Local First Fall Festival, Phoenix
November 21, 2026 | Surprise SciTech Festival, Surprise
November 22, 2026 | November Rally/Cruise to Cottonwood & Picnic in the Park, Cottonwood
December 5, 2026 | December Rally, details to follow!
January 15-17, 2027 | Maricopa County Home & Garden Show EV Showcase, Phoenix
January 16, 2027 | OdySea Aquarium EV Showcase, Scottsdale
January 30-31, 2027 | Asian Festival EV Ride & Drive, Mesa
February 27, 2027 | Cave Creek Ride & Drive, Cave Creek
April 30-May 2, 2027 | Route 66 Fun Run “Electrify the Run,” Kingman |
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| VOLUNTEER PROFILE: Scott Toughill |
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EV Test Driver, EV Enthusiast, and a Guy Who’s Already Shopping for His Next EV |
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Some people enjoy driving electric vehicles. Others are passionate about them. And then there’s Scott Toughill, who drives EVs for a living, drives them for fun, volunteers to introduce others to them, and starts researching his next EV practically before the ink is dry on his current lease. Scott recently leased a beautiful 2026 Polestar 4 Performance. Naturally, he’s already thinking about what might replace it. Not because he doesn’t love it. That’s just Scott. A resident of Waddell, Arizona, for more than two decades, Scott grew up in Fridley, Minnesota, but his childhood was anything but ordinary. His father worked as a Hollywood stuntman, and Scott spent summers in California surrounded by actors and television personalities, including frequent visits to the Malibu home of Dan Haggerty, better known as Grizzly Adams. Apparently, hanging around Hollywood stuntmen was excellent preparation for a career testing high-performance electric vehicles. |
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Not Your Average Day at the Office Scott is currently a senior prototype driver for Lucid Motors, conducting track-limit testing and helping validate powertrains, advanced driver-assistance systems, and vehicle software. Previously, he worked as a senior autopilot engineer at Tesla, collaborating with its Autopilot and Full Self-Driving teams.
He also played a major role in testing the Tesla Cybertruck before its public release. Imagine driving one of those futuristic trucks around Phoenix when almost nobody had seen one. Scott recalls motorists pointing, staring, and attempting to photograph the vehicle while driving. It was certainly an attention-getting assignment, although probably not the safest behavior from the surrounding traffic. In other words, when Scott talks about EV performance, he’s not just repeating something he read on the internet. He’s probably tested it at speeds the rest of us should never attempt. |
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| Scott and his 2026 Polestar 4 Performance in Lightning with Zinc Bridge of Weir leather. “The contrast between EV and gas car performance is clear,” says Scott. “The familiar highlight is instant torque and speed; even the slowest EVs surpass most gas cars. It is striking that today’s 0–60 figures exceed what supercars achieved fifteen years ago. I appreciate the minimal upkeep, essentially just topping off wiper fluid. I enjoy the handling and the absence of gear shifts during acceleration, which removes the delay between gears. It isdifficult to name one favorite aspect, but I can assure you I will never return to internal combustion vehicles.” |
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| It Started With a 2022 Polestar 2—and a Few New Friends Scott and his wife, Amanda, discovered the Valley of the Sun Electric Vehicle Association while looking for people who shared their interests. Their first event was such a positive experience that they kept coming back. Today, Scott and Amanda serve as Westside Events Coordinators, helping organize activities throughout the West Valley while volunteering at DRIVE Electric Arizona events across the state. For Scott, the friendships are every bit as important as the vehicles. He enjoys exchanging knowledge with other owners, discovering new EV models, and helping people who are curious about driving electric. His favorite event this year? The Route 66 Centennial Fun Run, where he enjoyed traveling alongside classic automobiles and fellow EV enthusiasts from Seligman to Kingman. After 23 years in Arizona, it was his first real opportunity to explore that historic stretch of highway. He’s already looking forward to returning in 2027. |
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| One Conversation, One New EV Owner At our recent National Drive Electric Month Ride & Drive at Luke Elementary, Scott spent considerable time showing a visitor named Andrew his wife’s BMW i4. They discussed performance, handling, features, and why Amanda enjoys driving hers. A few days later, Scott received a call from Russ Smith at Arrowhead BMW. Andrew had purchased a BMW i4! That’s exactly why our volunteer-driven Ride & Drives matter. No sales pitch, no pressure—just an enthusiastic owner sharing real-world experience. The vehicles tend to do the rest. Scott has also persuaded two longtime Minnesota friends to go electric. One now drives a Kia EV9, the other a Ford Mustang Mach-E. Apparently, Scott’s enthusiasm has a range considerably greater than most EV batteries. EVs for the Long Haul Ask about EV road trips and Scott will happily share his thoughts, providing helpful advice and knowledgeable information to put your mind at ease. “The idea that electric vehicles cannot handle road trips overlooks current progress,” explains Scott. “By 2026, charging infrastructure has expanded significantly. Most travelers drive two to three hours before stopping for a break and fuel; this mirrors charging. You do not aim for a full charge but rather enough to reach the next destination, whether that takes three hours or another interval. Nearly everyone pauses for a restroom visit and food, which happens during fueling with either electrons or gasoline, so the timing aligns. Most electric vehicles today require about twenty minutes with fast charging, which is already available. Fast charging continues to improve as more vehicles use 800V systems or better charging curves, and the year-over-year gains are impressive.” Did we mention that Scott knows a lot about EVs? There’s More to Life Than EVs. Really.
When he’s not driving, testing, researching, or talking about electric vehicles, Scott enjoys spending time with Amanda and their daughter, traveling, and collecting transportation-themed LEGO sets to build in his free time. He also maintains regular Xbox gaming sessions with friends back in Minnesota and enjoys riding his 2011 Victory Vegas Jackpot motorcycle—a birthday gift Amanda found for him. Yes, an EV enthusiast who rides a gasoline-powered motorcycle. We promise not to revoke his charging privileges. Why He Volunteers Scott believes Arizona has enormous potential to lead in electric transportation, thanks to its growing EV industry, abundant sunshine, and expanding charging infrastructure. He especially appreciates helping people understand the practical benefits of EV ownership, including performance, reduced maintenance, and lower operating costs. He also believes strongly in growing DEAZ’s partnerships and giving sponsors more visibility and opportunities to participate in events. But what keeps him volunteering is the people: the friendships, the conversations, and the satisfaction of watching someone discover that electric driving might be right for them. His entire EV philosophy fits into just five words:
“Drive one, you’ll buy one.”
And coming from someone who tests EVs professionally, volunteers with them on weekends, and is already researching his next one, that’s a pretty convincing endorsement. Thank you, Scott, for your enthusiasm, friendship, expertise, and countless volunteer hours helping DRIVE Electric Arizona and Valley of the Sun EVA bring electric driving experiences to communities throughout Arizona. And Scott, congratulations on that new Polestar 4. We look forward to hearing what you’re replacing it with. |
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DRIVE Electric Arizona Named Finalist for National Nonprofit Leadership Award! |
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We are proud to announce that DRIVE Electric Arizona has been selected as a finalist for Plug In America's 2026 Drive Electric Awards in the Nonprofit Leadership category! This national recognition celebrates our all-volunteer organization's commitment to accelerating EV adoption through free Ride & Drives, community education, statewide chapter development, Native Nations partnerships, and our efforts to electrify Arizona's Historic Route 66 corridor. This honor belongs to our more than 200 volunteers, community partners, sponsors, and chapter leaders whose dedication is making electric transportation more accessible across Arizona. Winners will be announced during Plug In America's virtual awards ceremony on Tuesday, November 10, at 11:00 a.m. Arizona time, broadcast live on Instagram. We're honored to be among the nation's outstanding nonprofit organizations advancing electric transportation! See all 2026 Drive Electric Awards finalists here...
Read the article here… |
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| | Electrifying the Mother Road: Why Route 66 Matters to Arizona’s EV Future |
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Route 66 has always been about more than getting from one place to another. It is about the journey—the roadside businesses, small towns, neon signs, diners, motels, trading posts, landscapes and people that made the “Mother Road” part of American culture.
As Route 66 celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2026, DRIVE Electric Arizona believes the best way to preserve that legacy is not simply to look backward. It is to make sure the road remains relevant, accessible and economically important for the next generation of travelers.
Arizona is uniquely positioned to do that. Our state has 385.2 miles of Historic Route 66—the longest preserved stretch of the original road in the country—running through communities including Holbrook, Winslow, Flagstaff, Williams, Seligman, Kingman and smaller communities across northern and western Arizona. |
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| | Preserving History By Keeping It Alive
Historic preservation works best when historic places continue to have a purpose.
Route 66 survived because communities fought to preserve it after Interstate 40 bypassed many of them. Today, its historic buildings, roadside attractions and businesses continue to draw travelers from around the United States and the world. |
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Electric vehicles represent another chapter in that transportation story.
A century ago, Route 66 helped introduce Americans to a new era of automobile travel. Gas stations, garages, restaurants and lodging developed along the highway to serve those travelers. Today, EV charging infrastructure can serve much the same purpose for a new generation of motorists.
We don't want to change what makes Route 66 special. We want to make sure EV drivers can experience it.
Charging Can Become Rural Economic Development
There is another important reason DRIVE Electric Arizona is working along the corridor: many Route 66 communities are rural communities where tourism dollars matter.
Charging an electric vehicle creates something valuable for a local economy: time.
While a vehicle charges, travelers can have lunch, visit a museum, explore a historic downtown, shop at a local business or spend the night. A charging stop doesn't have to be somewhere beside the interstate. Properly located charging can encourage travelers to leave I-40 and rediscover the communities along Historic Route 66.
That creates opportunities for locally owned restaurants, hotels, museums, attractions, retailers and other small businesses.
It is why charging infrastructure should be considered not simply transportation infrastructure, but economic-development infrastructure.
That approach is consistent with Arizona's broader historic-road planning, which specifically recognizes preservation, visitor experience, tourism and economic development as interconnected goals.
Keep reading here to learn more about supporting Route 66 tourism and connecting Arizona communities… |
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| | La Posada Hotel: Where Historic Route 66 Meets the Future of Electric Vehicle Tourism |
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Our October 2026 visit to La Posada Hotel in Winslow, Arizona, was especially memorable: it was part of DRIVE Electric Arizona’s October EV Rally, with participation from the Valley of the Sun Electric Vehicle Association (DRIVE Electric Valley of the Sun), and the second launch event for DRIVE Electric Northern Arizona. What better setting for bringing EV enthusiasts together than a landmark of Historic Route 66 during its centennial year? La Posada is an extraordinary destination—and a shining example of how historic hospitality and electric vehicle tourism can come together beautifully. |
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The hotel’s survival is nearly as remarkable as its original design. After closing in 1957, its furnishings were sold, its interiors converted into railroad offices and the building repeatedly faced demolition. Allan Affeldt and his partners rescued it in 1997, beginning an extraordinary restoration that continues to give this architectural treasure new life. My room was well-appointed, exceptionally comfortable and full of historic character. The staff was consistently friendly, welcoming and helpful.
A particularly exciting feature is La Posada’s commitment to welcoming electric vehicle travelers. The hotel offers four Level 2 EV charging stations—two Tesla and two ChargePoint—conveniently located right in front of the hotel. For EV travelers exploring northern Arizona and Historic Route 66, this is a tremendous amenity. |
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| Above: The historic entryway at La Posada Hotel, Winslow. Bottom: DRIVE Electric Arizona volunteers enjoying lunch at the Turqoise Room inside La Posada. |
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| | | DRIVE ELECTRIC ARIZONA CHAPTER UPDATES |
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DRIVE Electric Tucson’s First Cars & Coffee! |
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Our first DRIVE Electric Tucson event is in the books! We had a great time connecting to talk about our ownership experiences over coffee and pastries. Here are some fun facts from the event:
17 EVs and 20 owners participated. Brands included: |
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| | Chevy Bolt Chevy Blazer EV Tesla Cybertruck Tesla Model Y (2) Tesla Model 3 Nissan Ariya Cadillac Lyric
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What really made my day were the 3 families that came who did not own an EV yet and wanted to learn more about ownership. They asked lots of questions and even got to "try on" some of the cars to see how they were on the inside.
A special shout out goes to @Locale Italian Restaurant for their hospitality. Thank you for allowing us to meet in your lot and for providing the fantastic coffee and pastries.
This will be a monthly event, so if you missed us this month come see us next month!
Scott Jones Chair DRIVE Electric Tucson |
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| Arizona Forward EV Ride & Drive Brings Electric Vehicles to Life |
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On Monday, October 26, 2026, DRIVE Electric Arizona was pleased to participate in the Arizona Forward Summit at the SRP PERA Club in Tempe, offering attendees an opportunity to get behind the wheel of electric vehicles and experience the benefits of driving electric firsthand.
The EV Ride & Drive brought together electric vehicle owners, dealership representatives, and automotive manufacturers to share their knowledge and experiences. Attendees had the opportunity to explore electric vehicles, ask questions, and experience the performance, technology, and everyday practicality of EV ownership. |
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A special thank you to our dealership and OEM partners, San Tan Ford, Rivian, and Tesla, for providing test-drive vehicles and dedicated staff to support the event. Their participation helped make the experience informative and engaging for attendees. We also extend our appreciation to Arizona Forward for inviting DRIVE Electric Arizona to participate in this year's summit and for recognizing the importance of transportation electrification in Arizona's future. Read the event update here… |
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| Photo credit: Peter Culin |
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| Third Annual Sedona EV Ride & Drive Sets New Attendance Record |
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The Third Annual Sedona EV Ride & Drive, held October 25, 2026, at Posse Grounds Park, was our most successful Sedona Ride & Drive event yet! Hosted by DRIVE Electric Arizona in partnership with the City of Sedona, the event welcomed an enthusiastic crowd of residents and visitors eager to explore electric transportation. The 2026 Sedona Ride & Drive also marked the third launch event for DRIVE Electric Arizona’s new Northern Arizona chapter.
This year's event set a new record with 68 test drives, making it the best-attended and most successful Sedona EV Ride & Drive since its inception.
Experience Electric Firsthand
Attendees had the opportunity to get behind the wheel of a variety of electric vehicles, experience their performance firsthand, and speak directly with EV owners about charging, range, ownership costs, and everyday driving experiences. These conversations help people better understand electric vehicles and make informed decisions about their next vehicle purchase. Read more about Sedona’s EV Ride & Drive here… |
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| iONNA Tempe Grand Opening Brings EV Community Together |
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The iONNA grand opening celebration in Tempe was a great success, bringing EV owners and enthusiasts together to welcome another charging option to Arizona. Hosted by The Copper State Current in partnership with DRIVE Electric Arizona, the October 24 celebration combined a look at the new station with an opportunity to connect with the people who drive electric every day.
Roads Closed. Community Showed Up.
The turnout was especially impressive given a major access challenge: the intersection at Loop 202 and Scottsdale Road was closed in all directions for a charity walk-a-thon, making it difficult to reach the station. Even with that obstacle, the EV community showed up in force. Attendees found their way to the celebration and helped make it a tremendous success despite the challenging access. |
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Photo credits: Shaun Barnette, CJ Schmid |
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The check-in results tell the story: 77 people and 47 reported electric vehicles, represented by 48 unique check-ins. From across the Valley and beyond, attendees helped turn the celebration into a showcase of Arizona’s enthusiastic EV community.
Continue reading about iONNA’s Tempe Grand Opening here! |
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| | | Electric Vehicles, Route 66, and a Growing Northern Arizona Community |
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Our rally to Winslow brought together 26 volunteers in 15 electric vehicles for a successful day of community, conversation, and Route 66 fun—and an exciting step forward for DRIVE Electric Arizona.
The beautiful La Posada Hotel provided the setting for an EV car show, where our volunteers shared their vehicles and firsthand experiences with visitors. Bringing different EVs and their owners together gives people an opportunity to ask questions, explore their options, and learn what driving electric looks like in everyday life. We also enjoyed visiting Standing on the Corner Park, just two blocks from the hotel. Taking time to explore this iconic Winslow destination made the rally as much about enjoying Arizona and connecting with friends as it was about electric vehicles.
A New Chapter in Northern Arizona
The gathering also celebrated the second launch event for DRIVE Electric Northern Arizona, our chapter serving Coconino County and the Verde Valley. We’re excited to help build more opportunities for local EV owners, volunteers, and EV-curious neighbors to connect through rallies, educational events, and hands-on experiences.
Read more about the rally and the DRIVE Electric Northern Arizona Chapter here… |
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| City of Phoenix Employees Get Behind the Wheel at EV Ride & Drive |
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DRIVE Electric Arizona partnered with the City of Phoenix for another successful Employee EV Ride & Drive on October 14, 2026, offering city employees the opportunity to experience electric vehicles firsthand, explore the latest technology, and learn directly from experienced EV owners.
Held in downtown Phoenix, the event featured a diverse selection of electric vehicles available for test drives, along with displays highlighting the City's growing electric fleet.
Six Electric Vehicles, One Hands-On Experience |
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Employees had the opportunity to get behind the wheel of six different electric vehicles, experiencing their performance, comfort, and technology in real-world driving conditions.
The variety of vehicles demonstrated how electric transportation can accommodate different lifestyles, budgets, and driving needs. |
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Photo credit: Shaun Barnette |
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Showcasing Phoenix’s Electric Fleet
Beyond the test drives, attendees explored additional vehicles on display, including a Polestar 4, Lucid Air, and several City of Phoenix fleet vehicles.
A particular highlight was a Gillig all-electric city bus, demonstrating how battery-electric technology is transforming public transportation.
Read more about the City of Phoenix Employee Ride & Drive here! |
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| Phoenix EV Ride & Drive Brings Community Together |
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On Saturday, October 3, 2026, DRIVE Electric Arizona celebrated National Drive Electric Month with the Phoenix EV Ride & Drive at Luke Elementary School in Glendale. Held in conjunction with the 56th EMS 2nd Annual Auto Show, the event brought together electric vehicle owners, classic car enthusiasts, families, and community members for a day of hands-on experiences and electric vehicle education.
Bringing Electric Vehicles to the Community
The event gave visitors an opportunity to explore electric vehicles, speak directly with experienced EV owners, and learn more about the benefits and practical considerations of driving electric. From charging and driving range to maintenance, operating costs, and vehicle performance, attendees could get answers to their questions from people who experience electric vehicle ownership every day. Free test-drive opportunities helped participants discover firsthand the smooth acceleration, quiet operation, and responsive handling that distinguish electric vehicles from traditional gasoline-powered vehicles. Continue reading about one person’s test drive that turned into a first-time EV owner! |
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| National Drive Electric Month • Phoenix EV Ride & Drive • DRIVE Electric Arizona • 2026 |
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| DRIVE Electric Arizona Out in the Community |
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| DRIVE Electric Arizona was pleased to participate in Green Living Arizona’s Best of Arizona Awards (October 9), celebrating sustainability leaders across the state, and the Mesa Arts Center’s Día de los Muertos Festival (October 25), honoring the rich cultural traditions of our communities. Both events provided wonderful opportunities to connect with Arizonans, share our mission, and promote the benefits of driving electric.
Read the article here… |
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Photo credit: Shaun Barnette |
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| SRP Employees Get Behind the Wheel at Third Annual EV Ride & Drive |
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The event featured eight electric vehicles available for test drives, representing a diverse selection of SUVs, pickup trucks, and crossovers from leading manufacturers. Employees had the opportunity to get behind the wheel, compare vehicles, and speak directly with knowledgeable EV owners and industry representatives.
Read more about the hands-on EV experience here! |
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Photo courtesy of Tanya Hughes, SRP |
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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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