Plug In America will reveal the winners in real time during a special live-stream event on Instagram on Nov. 10 at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT. Turn on live event reminders by visiting our Instagram here.

The finalists range from early-career professionals and public servants to municipalities and EV advocates who have worked to further EV adoption through policy, technology, advocacy, or outreach.   

2026 Finalists

Business Leadership 

• EVgo
• First Student
  
• it’s electric
• Smart Charge America
• Voltpost

Community Changemaker

• Eugen Dunlap
• Len Nowak
• Ray Stetkiewicz

Emerging Leader

• Tanner Coursey

Event Organizer

• John Fitzmaurice

EV Advocate

• Bill Pierce
• Dr. Chauné Fitzgerald
• Katelyn Leahy Barb
• Paul Bordenkircher

Government Leadership

• Arizona State University
  
• Howard County, Maryland
• New York Power Authority
• Santa Barbara Clean Energy

Linda Nicholes Lifetime Achievement

• Earl Cox
• Tom Moloughney

Nonprofit Leadership

• Charge Across Town
• DRIVE Electric Arizona
• Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition
• Nevada Clean Energy Fund
• RMI (formerly Rocky Mountain Institute)
• Texas EV Education Project

Partnership

• Burlington Electric Company
• Jordan Tavares

Public Sector Champion

• Bob Smith
• Keith Kerman
  

Storytelling & Marketing

• The Electric Duo
• Veloz