Native Nations - Spirit of Arizona
Driving the Future on Native Lands Across Arizona
Practical, culturally grounded EV information for Arizona’s Native Nations — from cost savings to cleaner air and resilient power.
Spirit of Arizona uses visual storytelling, QR codes, and bilingual resources to make EV benefits tangible for every community.
Why This Page Exists
Electric vehicles can lower household costs, reduce air pollution, and strengthen local resilience. This section gathers Nation‑specific pages with plain‑language guidance, incentives, case studies, and resources tailored to local priorities (family health, budget, reliability, and energy independence). It’s part of Spirit of Arizona, our rolling ambassador project that brings EV education directly to communities.
What You’ll Find
Cheaper: Total cost of ownership, fuel/maintenance savings, and relevant utility rates & incentives
Faster: Everyday convenience (home charging, fewer service visits), trip‑planning basics
Better: Clean air, quieter streets, no tailpipe emissions, options for backup power
Charging 101: Home, workplace, public DC fast charging (with Arizona‑specific maps)
How to Get Started: Leasing tips, test‑drive sign‑ups, trusted dealership checklist
For Leaders: Sample resolutions, fleet transition playbook, grant & funding pointers
Stories: Owner spotlights from within the Nation
Nations
Don’t see your community yet?
Upcoming Events
Hands‑on Ride & Drive events let you and your neighbors test real EVs, learn charging basics, and get cost‑saving tips
“Klose is at the helm as president of the first Native American chapter for DRIVE Electric, called Three Rivers Tribes, which serves the SRPMIC, the Gila River Indian Community and the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation.”
CLICK HERE to read more at O’ODHAM ACTION NEWS.
Hans Klose
Chair, Tribal Nations
Hans Klose is the founder and owner of Sovereign Sustainable Initiatives LLC based on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. Sovereign Sustainable Initiatives develops sustainable energy systems in Native American communities in the southwestern United States.
Hans is also on the board of directors for Plug In America and is the founder and president of the Tribal Nations Chapter chapter of DRIVE Electric Arizona – the only Native American chapter of DRIVE Electric USA, representing the Fort McDowell (Verde River), Salt River, and Gila River Native American communities within the Phoenix metropolitan area. Hans is also the Chair of DRIVE Electric Arizona’s Working Group on Native Communities. He is also board member of DRIVE Electric Arizona and a member of the DRIVE Electric Arizona Chapter Advisory Committee.
Hans is an enrolled member of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (located next to Scottsdale, Arizona). His father is a German immigrant, and his mother was a full-blooded Pima (Akimel O’odham) Native American. Hans grew up in Arizona on the Salt River, Gila River, and Tohono O’odham reservations before attending Dartmouth College in New Hampshire where he received his B.A. in religion.