Each year, Plug In America presents the Drive Electric Awards to people and organizations that are leading the electric vehicle movement.
Anyone can submit a nomination, and the winners are selected by a committee comprised of Plug In America staff, board members, past award winners, and leaders in the EV industry. The winners are presented with an award at the Drive Electric Awards Reception in the fall.
Award categories | Nomination information | Past recipients
Award categories (in alphabetical order)
Business Leadership Award
Recognizes a for-profit business that has advanced the EV industry through innovation, strategic investment, or market transformation. This may include product development, technology breakthroughs, infrastructure deployment, or business models that expand EV accessibility or accelerate adoption.
Community Changemaker Award
Recognizes an individual making a meaningful difference in their community by championing EV education, outreach, or awareness. This award honors grassroots leaders who are helping others understand the benefits of going electric—whether through public events, school programs, peer engagement, or other local initiatives.
Emerging Leader Award
Recognizes a student or early-career professional whose contributions are already making a mark in the EV movement. Nominees may be involved in research, education, organizing, storytelling, or advocacy that advances EV adoption and shows strong potential for future leadership.
Event Organizer Award
Recognizes an outstanding organizer of National Drive Electric Month, Drive Electric Earth Month, or another impactful EV-focused event. Nominees demonstrate excellence in planning, community engagement, innovation, and hands-on experiences such as ride-and-drives.
EV Advocate Award
Recognizes an individual who has made a powerful impact in advancing electric vehicle adoption through advocacy. This may include organizing campaigns, coalition-building, media outreach, community mobilization, or influencing policy. Nominees use their voice and leadership to elevate the EV movement and drive change at the local, state, or national level.
This award celebrates a person whose leadership and voice have made a meaningful impact in moving the EV movement forward—whether through shaping opinion, rallying support, or influencing decisions.
Government Leadership Award
Recognizes a government entity (city, state, tribal nation, or agency) that has shown exceptional leadership in supporting EV adoption. This award celebrates public sector innovation at any level—highlighting impactful programs, policies, or partnerships that support widespread EV adoption, access, and equity.
Linda Nicholes Lifetime Achievement Award
Recognizes an outstanding leader in the EV movement. This award celebrates an individual with at least 15 years of influential work furthering EV adoption through policy, technology, advocacy, or outreach. Named in honor of EV pioneer Linda Nicholes, this award recognizes enduring leadership and transformative impact across decades of dedication.
Nonprofit Leadership Award
Recognizes a nonprofit organization contributing significantly to the EV movement through programs, advocacy, education, or outreach.
This award highlights mission-driven organizations whose work helps expand EV access or awareness locally or nationally.
Partnership Award
Recognizes an outstanding partnership or organization that frequently collaborates to accelerated EV adoption or awareness. This could include city–nonprofit coalitions, business–community initiatives, or a partner who has worked closely with Plug In America to create high-impact programs or events.
Public Sector Champion Award
Recognizes an individual working in government—at the local, state, tribal, or federal level—who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in advancing EV adoption. This award recognizes city staff, elected officials, or public agency leaders who have spearheaded meaningful EV initiatives within their role. Their work may include developing programs, enacting policy, building coalitions, or bringing EV infrastructure to their community.
Storytelling & Marketing Award
Recognizes outstanding achievement in increasing awareness of EVs through compelling communications and creative outreach. This includes professionally or independently produced work such as advertising campaigns, influencer content, social media initiatives, videos, websites, or music.
Nomination information
To learn more about the submission process, this year’s deadlines, and what makes an outstanding submission, get the details here.
