Chartwell Electric Vehicle Leadership Council Members Empower Communities to Experience the Future of Driving
EV Leadership Council Members Host Events for National Drive Electric Month
We are thrilled to announce that members of the Electric Vehicle Leadership Council are hosting community events for National Drive Electric Month, from September 12 through October 12, 2025.
National Drive Electric Month is a nationwide celebration to raise awareness of the many benefits of all-electric and plug-in hybrid cars, trucks, motorcycles, and more. Chartwell’s Electric Vehicle Leadership Council utility members serve more than 60 million people across North America. Select members are planning activities, including interactive Ride and Drive EV events for their communities in Arizona, Hawaii, Missouri, New Jersey, and New York.
Empowering customers and communities with information, National Drive Electric Month events provide the tools and experiences customers need to make confident choices about cleaner, more cost-effective transportation options. “Utilities providing hands-on EV experiences is a great way to accelerate adoption and emphasizes the Trusted Advisor role the utility has with their customers,” said Karl Popham, EV Leadership Council Chair and Senior Consultant, Chartwell Inc.
Electric utilities invite customers to experience the difference of EVs, see how easy charging is, and help quantify the positive impact they can make on the environment and their wallets. Chartwell Electric Vehicle Leadership Council members have scheduled the following events to celebrate National Drive Electric Month and to empower their customers and communities to experience the future of driving.
“National Drive Electric Month activities are designed to empower customers as they transition to electric transportation. These events provide hands-on opportunities to learn about EVs, explore charging options, and understand how smart charging practices can benefit both the customer and the electric grid,” said Tom Thompson, Sr. Manager, Clean Energy Transition. Ameren Missouri enjoys the opportunity to partner with groups, organizations, and municipalities during National Drive Electric Month:
Ameren Missouri Events:
Hispanic Festival
September 19, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
September 20, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
September 21, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Greater St. Louis
EVCONN NDEM
October 4, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Century Casino
777 Main St.
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
Contact: evmissouri@ameren.com
“There are more types of electric cars, trucks, and buses on the road than ever before, making this year’s National Drive Electric Month the first year in which EVs feel mainstream. At Hawaiian Electric, we are proud to increase access to charging infrastructure powered by clean energy for a more resilient transportation system,” said Aki Marceau, Director of Electrification of Transportation at Hawaiian Electric.
Hawaiian Electric Events:
Drive Electric Hawaiʻi’s National Drive Electric Month Events (free and open to the public):
Oʻahu:
Saturday, September 13, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Pearlridge Center (Mauka/Uptown), 98-1005 Moanalua Rd, Aiea, HI 96701
Hawaiʻi Island:
Saturday, September 27, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Prince Kūhio Plaza, 111 Puainako St, Hilo, HI 96720
For more information, visit: https://www.driveelectrichi.com/driveelectricmonth/
Also, to encourage dialogue and knowledge-sharing, Drive Electric Hawaiʻi, of which Hawaiian Electric is a member, is convening a group of public, private, and nonprofit stakeholders across all islands to engage in a hands-on learning journey via electric bus to learn about different charging installations on Oʻahu.
Contact: GoEV@hawaiianelectric.com
According to Chris Jagielski, E-Mobility’s Head of Outreach and Education at Orange & Rockland, “Orange & Rockland’s Ride and Drive events, in partnership with EV Options, offer our customers a no-cost, no-strings-attached opportunity to experience electric vehicles firsthand. These events are designed to provide a relaxed environment where customers can test drive the latest EV models and interact with EV owners, helping them make informed decisions about transitioning to cleaner transportation.”
Orange & Rockland Events:
September 27 and 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Little League Way, Scotchtown, NY 10941
Contact: WilliamsT1@ORU.com
PSE&G is proud to support New Jersey’s transportation electrification goals while continuing to be the trusted energy adviser to our customers,” said Dawn Neville, manager of Electric Transportation at PSE&G. “Hands-on events during National Drive Electric Month give us a chance to engage with the communities we serve to answer questions, address misconceptions, and provide resources to support customers who have made or are considering the transition to an electric vehicle. We look forward to participating.”
PSE&G Events:
September 20 West Windsor – Drive Electric Month Princeton, NJ
September 27 North Plainfield Fall Festival North Plainfield, NJ
September 27 GreenFest Newark Newark, NJ
October 5 Somerville Street Fair and Craft Show Somerville, NJ
October 19 Tenafly Fall Festival Tenafly, NJ
Contact: AnnaMaria.Farruggia@pseg.com
“The best way to learn about the benefits of an electric vehicle is to experience one yourself,” said Jason Smith, SRP manager of Electric Vehicle Strategy. “SRP is empowering customers in our community by supporting these ride-and-drives and other events that provide a better understanding of the advantages of electric vehicles, as well as showing how SRP can support their transportation electrification journey with helpful programs, flexible price plans, and valuable rebates that make going electric easier and more rewarding.”
Salt River Project (SRP) Events:
September 20 – Mesa Community College – Partnering with Valley of the Sun EVA/Drive Electric Arizona
See: https://driveelectricmonth.org/event?eventid=4944
October 4 – Gateway Community College – Partnering with Valley of the Sun EVA/Drive Electric Arizona
See: https://driveelectricmonth.org/event?eventid=4864
Contact: For media inquiries, please contact MediaRelations@srpnet.com
Additionally, Chartwell’s 2025 EV Industry Survey and its resulting Benchmark and Analysis Reports were released in May 2025 and provide utilities with comprehensive insights into industry standards, common milestones, and strategic roadmaps that are driving the future of e-mobility.
“The EV survey has revealed great insights into the effectiveness of utility EV programs. This information, along with our catalog of best practices from council members, are assisting utilities to prioritize resources and increase desired outcomes,” Popham added. To find out more about the EV Industry Survey Benchmark and Analysis Reports, contact Karl Popham.
Chartwell is also hosting the annual EMACS – The Customer Experience Conference, in Dallas, Texas, October 7–9, 2025. EMACS is a premier forum for utility professionals to network, share insights, and explore strategies for improving customer experience and tackling industry challenges. A variety of EV industry experts will speak during the conference, including:
EV Grid Integration: How Will We Power the EV Revolution?
Karl Popham, Senior Consultant, Chartwell Inc.
Cameron Freberg, Manager of EVs & Emerging Technologies, Austin Energy
Alex Keyhani, Manager, EV & Load Management Programs, Tampa Electric
Fleet Electrification: Utilities Leading the Charge
Maricela Carlos, Senior Manager, eMobility Business Development & Partnerships, SCE
Todd Cahill, Director, Support Services, SDG&E
Charging Ahead: Utilities Leading the Way in EV Infrastructure
Dan FitzPatrick, Section Manager, Electric Vehicle Operations, Orange & Rockland
Ethan Landy, Electric Vehicle Customer Specialist, Hawaiian Electric
ComEd Rapidly Drives EV Growth Through Beneficial Electrification Plan
Cristina Botero, Sr. Manager, Beneficial Electrification, ComEd
About Chartwell’s Electric Vehicle Leadership Council (EVLC): Created in 2023, the EVLC provides an engaging forum for utility professionals to collaborate with peers to enhance their personal and organizational role as a Trusted Advisor in transportation electrification.
For more information, contact Karl Popham at: kpopham@chartwellinc.com
Contact Information:
Chartwell Inc.
John Bord, Senior Consultant
404-237-9099
