From staff reports The Association of Central Oklahoma Governments and the Indian Nations Council of Governments recently announced the relaunch of Drive EV Oklahoma, a statewide initiative to promote electric vehicle adoption that prioritizes cleaner air, better health and lower transportation costs for Oklahomans.
Drive EV Oklahoma, formerly the Oklahoma Electric Vehicle Coalition, brings together a diverse alliance of stakeholders – from utilities and local governments to dealerships, fleets and EV owners – working together to make driving electric easier, more affordable and more accessible across the state.
“Transportation electrification is a smart investment in our health and economy,” ACOG Executive Director Mark Sweeney said. “Reducing tailpipe pollution helps prevent asthma attacks and hospital visits, especially for children and older adults. It also lowers fuel costs for families and fleets alike.”
Since the 1990s, ACOG and INCOG have led Oklahoma’s two U.S. Department of Energy- designated Clean Cities Coalitions, helping communities adopt cleaner, cost-effective transportation solutions such as electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles as well as those powered by propane and natural gas.
A report from the American Lung Association found that transitioning to zero-emission passenger vehicles by 2050 could prevent up to 89,300 premature deaths, 2.2 million asthma attacks and 10.7 million missed workdays.
Communities across Oklahoma, especially in urban areas such as Oklahoma City where ozone levels frequently exceed safe thresholds, stand to benefit significantly.
Oklahoma’s EV momentum is already making an impact, statistics indicate.
• Top 5 state (per capita) in EV fast-charging stations, providing robust coverage along major highways.
• No. 1 in EV registration growth from 2020 to 2023.
• OG&E has deployed 100 electric pickup trucks, with plans to electrify its full light-duty fleet.
• IC Bus, based in Tulsa, manufactures electric school buses; Shawnee Public Schools has deployed eight buses, saving $40,000 annually on fuel alone.
• EMBARK’s fleet of public transportation buses in Oklahoma City is transitioning to vehicles powered by cleaner fuels, including EVs and compressed natural gas.
• Love’s Travel Stops and Francis Energy are Oklahoma companies that are national leaders in highway EV charging.
• Amazon and Walmart make deliveries in Oklahoma using electric trucks.
“More Oklahomans are choosing cost savings and other benefits of EV driving,” INCOG Executive Director Rich Brierre said. “More broadly, Oklahoma’s economic prosperity is being enhanced by a growing list of Oklahoma companies invested in EVs, batteries, and critical minerals.”