Winners will be announced during an Instagram Live event on Nov. 10 at 10 a.m. PT
Oct. 30, 2026
LOS ANGELES– Plug In America, a national nonprofit accelerating the shift to electric vehicles (EVs), unveiled the list of finalists for its annual Drive Electric Awards. The winners will be revealed in real time during a special live-stream event on Instagram on Nov. 10 at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT.
The 32 finalists span 11 categories and 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.
“Our latest annual survey shows that 94% of EV drivers intend to make their next vehicle electric, which tells us that once people experience EVs, they’re convinced,” said Plug In America executive director Joel Levin. “Some of the most impactful progress in the EV movement is happening at the local level, driven by leaders, businesses and advocates who are committed to the mission.”
The nonprofit encourages finalists’ supporters to tune in and show their support. “The Drive Electric Awards give us the opportunity to recognize that work and the lasting impact it has, and we hope colleagues, friends, and supporters can join this celebration,” said Levin.
People can set up a reminder notification within the Instagram app after navigating to Plug In America’s Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/pluginamerica
A committee of Plug In America’s staff and board members, along with previous winners and external industry experts, selected the honorees from a pool of nominations submitted by the public earlier this year.
Award categories and finalists are in alphabetical order by first name.
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
- Burlington Electric Department
- 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
Public Sector Champion
- Bob Smith
- Keith Kerman
Storytelling & Marketing
- Jordan Tavarez
- The Electric Duo
- Veloz
About Plug In America
Plug In America is the nation’s leading nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating the use of plug-in electric vehicles in the United States through education, advocacy and research. Formed in 2008, Plug In America provides practical, objective information to consumers and dealerships about EVs through various programs, including National Drive Electric Month, Drive Electric Earth Month, PlugStar.com, and other public outreach events. Learn more at PlugInAmerica.org.
Media contact: Lindsey Perkins
