Our Story

The Valley of the Sun Electric Vehicle Association (VOTSEVA) is part of a growing statewide movement to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles through education, advocacy, and hands-on experiences. We are both:

• A chapter of the Electric Vehicle Association (member-based)

• A chapter of DRIVE Electric Arizona (volunteer-based), a statewide nonprofit dedicated to clean transportation

Timeline of Our Journey

2022 — The Beginning

• April 22, 2022 (Earth Day): Founded by John Martinson and Peter Culin as the Scottsdale Electric Vehicle Association, a chapter of the nonprofit Electric Vehicle Association (EVA).

• Mission: Promote EV adoption through community outreach, education, and hands-on events.

2023 — Growth Beyond Scottsdale

• Summer 2023: Membership and interest grow beyond Scottsdale’s borders. Name changes to Valley of the Sun Electric Vehicle Association (VOTSEVA) to reflect our broader reach across the Phoenix metro area.

• September 30, 2023: Partnered with the City of Phoenix Sustainability Office and the Valley of the Sun Clean Cities Coalition (VOTSCCC) to produce a highly successful Ride & Drive event — connecting hundreds of people with EVs in one day.

Late 2023 — A Bigger Opportunity

• December 2023: Received an invitation from VOTSCCC to form an independent nonprofit and apply for a three-year U.S. Department of Energy grant to develop a statewide EV education and advocacy organization.

2024 — DRIVE Electric Arizona is Born

• January 5, 2024: John and Peter incorporate DRIVE Electric Arizona, an Arizona nonprofit organization.

• A diverse board of directors is established, bringing together stakeholders and experts from across Arizona to guide strategy, partnerships, and community impact.

• August 15, 2024: DRIVE Electric Arizona becomes fiscally sponsored by TAP/AZ (Technical Assistance Partnership of Arizona), providing administrative and financial infrastructure to support statewide operations.

• VOTSEVA becomes an official chapter of DRIVE Electric Arizona, continuing to serve the Phoenix metro area while collaborating on statewide initiatives.

Where We Are Today

• The largest EVA chapter in Arizona and one of the top five performing chapters in the USA.

• A diverse community of EV owners, advocates, and newcomers at every stage of their EV journey.

• Brand-neutral, guided by a strict code of ethics, and supported by donors, sponsors, and volunteers.

• Focused on free, public events — from local EV showcases to Ride & Drives across the state.

Our Mission Moving Forward

To accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles in Arizona through education, advocacy, and real-world experiences that connect people with the economic, environmental, and lifestyle benefits of driving electric.

Get Involved

Whether you’re an EV owner, a curious future driver, or a business looking to support clean transportation, there’s a place for you in VOTSEVA.

Join the Electric Vehicle Association — Select “Valley of the Sun EVA” as your chapter.

Volunteer with Us — Help us make our events happen.

See Upcoming Events — Experience the future of driving, today.