Who We Are

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.
• The chapter's mission was to promote EV adoption through community outreach, education, and hands-on events.

Growth Beyond Scottsdale

• During the summer of 2023, membership and community interest expanded well beyond Scottsdale.
• The organization became the Valley of the Sun Electric Vehicle Association to better represent its growing reach across the Phoenix metropolitan area.
• September 30, 2023: VOTSEVA partnered with the City of Phoenix Sustainability Office and the Valley of the Sun Clean Cities Coalition to produce a major EV Ride & Drive, connecting hundreds of people with electric vehicles.

A Bigger Opportunity

In December 2023, the Valley of the Sun Clean Cities Coalition invited the organization to pursue the formation of an independent nonprofit and apply for a three-year U.S. Department of Energy grant focused on statewide EV education and advocacy.

DRIVE Electric Arizona Is Born

• January 5, 2024: John Martinson and Peter Culin incorporated DRIVE Electric Arizona as an Arizona nonprofit organization.
• A diverse board of directors was established, bringing together stakeholders and experts from across Arizona to guide strategy, partnerships, and community impact.
• August 15, 2024: DRIVE Electric Arizona became fiscally sponsored by TAP/AZ, providing administrative and financial infrastructure for statewide operations.
• Valley of the Sun EVA became an official chapter of DRIVE Electric Arizona while continuing to serve the Phoenix metropolitan area.

Still Local. Connected Statewide.

Valley of the Sun EVA continues to build community throughout metropolitan Phoenix while collaborating with DRIVE Electric Arizona on education, events, partnerships, and statewide initiatives.