Electrify America has received a 2026 Sustainability Award from the Business Intelligence Group for a $7.4 million investment in community-led electric vehicle programs across the United States in 2025. The Sustainability Leadership category recognizes organizations that turn sustainability commitments into measurable results. The company says its $7.4 million investment delivered EV education directly to communities affected by poor air quality and economic inequity.
Highlights
- Award: 2026 Sustainability Award in the Sustainability Leadership category from the Business Intelligence Group
- Investment: $7.4 million distributed across 11 community organizations during 2025
- Reach: Plug In America engaged nearly 58,000 EV-curious participants; Valley Clean Air Now supported more than 2,700 EV purchases
- Perception shift: Charge Across Town reported a 26% increase in positive EV perception, with 87% of participants saying they would consider an EV after a test drive
What Did the $7.4 Million Investment Fund?
According to Electrify America, the funded programs combined on-the-ground community engagement with longer-term workforce and STEM development work. Several partners reported quantified outcomes from ride-and-drive events, dealership engagement, and one-on-one purchase guidance.
| Organization | Program Focus | Reported Result |
|---|---|---|
| Valley Clean Air Now | Ride-and-drive events, incentive paperwork support, dealership visits in California | More than 2,700 EV purchases supported |
| Charge Across Town | Outreach to EV-curious consumers | Nearly 2,500 participants reached; 26% increase in positive EV perception; 87% would consider an EV after a test drive |
| East Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition | College-partnered ride-and-drive events | More than 3,000 attendees, many experiencing an EV for the first time |
| Drive Electric Long Island | Dealership buying-experience improvements | 23% increase in EVs on the road across its region |
| Ecology Action | Direct guidance for EV-curious individuals | 2,600+ engaged; 129 EV purchases and leases completed |
| Plug In America | EV education efforts | Nearly 58,000 EV-curious participants engaged |
Electrify America notes that these figures reflect a selection of participating organizations rather than the full scope of its 2025 community investment portfolio. The complete list of supported organizations also includes Breathe Southern California, Edtunity Institute, Ignited, and the New York Power Authority.
“This recognition underscores our belief that sustainability and accessibility go hand in hand,” said Robert Barrosa, President and CEO of Electrify America. “Through investments in community-led programs and workforce development, we’re helping remove barriers to EV adoption, connect more people with the benefits of EVs, and build the EV workforce of the future. We’re grateful to our community partners and proud of the progress we’ve made together to help drivers confidently make the switch to EVs.”
Workforce and Emergency Response Training
Two of the funded programs targeted technical capacity rather than consumer awareness. Sinclair Community College trained emergency first responders on how to handle EV-related incidents, while the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator developed a Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems curriculum aimed at moving participants into green energy careers.
Ecology Action described the funding as central to scaling its community education model for the charging network operator.
“Electrify America’s investment has been foundational to Ecology Action’s work. It allowed us, with our partners, to scale trusted, community-based education and create hands-on experiences to turn curiosity into action,” said Kalia Vaught, Senior Program Specialist at Ecology Action. “Just as important, it gave us the ability to meet people where they are, providing personalized, one-on-one support that helps turn interest into real purchases for families who may have otherwise felt excluded in the EV transition.”
How the Business Intelligence Group Framed the Award
The awarding organization tied its decision to the geographic targeting of the programs rather than to charging infrastructure metrics.
“Electrify America understands that the transition to electric mobility only works if it works for everyone,” said Russ Fordyce, Chief Recognition Officer at the Business Intelligence Group. “By investing directly in community-based organizations and bringing EV education into neighborhoods hit hardest by poor air quality and economic inequity, they’re closing a gap that too many EV strategies overlook.”
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