Chartwell is thrilled to announce members of their 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 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:  [email protected] 

“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:  [email protected]

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:  [email protected]

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: [email protected]

“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 [email protected]

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 their 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