Jacob Martinez ’Graduates’ to a Tesla Model 3 and Starts a Turo Business
By Grant Gerke, Senior Communications Specialist, EVA
Jacob Martinez, a Scottsdale EVA member, talks about EV technology, his introduction to electric vehicles and his recent participation in the Route Zero Relay.
Jacob Martinez is a recent graduate from Arizona State University, runs a Turo EV rental business, will attend law school in the Fall, and drove his Model 3 to Santa Fe for the Route Zero Relay.
Jacob has a lot on his plate.
Jacob is also a member of the Scottsdale EVA chapter. “I got involved because one of the members mentioned that they were having an event at Scottsdale Community College, and my friend invited me to come out to an EV showcase,” says Martinez.
Jacob became a member that day and started participating in many EV chapter activities, including going to the state capital and writing legislators. “You wouldn’t think EVs would be so prevalent in Arizona, but there are tons of people with different backgrounds that seem to gravitate toward EV technology,” says Martinez. “Hopefully, we'll start seeing more EVs in the state.
Jacob Martinez, with the help of Jess Phoenix, shows off the Route Zero Relay sticker in Flagstaff, AZ, in April.
Route Zero Relay Scenery
Speaking of the state, Martinez was able to view the beautiful Arizona scenery while participating in the Route Zero Relay, which made its second stop in Flagstaff, AZ, and then proceeded to Santa Fe, NM. The Route Zero Relay – see our live blog post – is an EVA supported event showcasing clean air standards currently being debated in Washington and how no-emission driving can drastically reduce greenhouse gasses.
Jacob took the Route Zero Relay “baton” from Jess Phoenix in Flagstaff, who drove from Santa Monica, CA. “If you remember the Cars movie, that’s the scenery I had for the trip,” says Martinez. “As you head east, you drive through Monument Valley with the high desert, red rocks, and these huge monuments stretching out in the distance. Just the coolest thing you can see.”
Driving to Santa Fe, Martinez’s first supercharging stop was in northern Arizona and he made it to Gallup, New Mexico – the “most patriotic town in America” on all its signs. “The road trip was a breeze, as I had level 2 EV charging at my hotel in Flagstaff and was almost able to get out of the state with the original charge,” says Martinez. Hilton Hotel brands are starting “to add more charging stations and would lean toward those hotels in the future,” adds Martinez.
Martinez eventually arrived at Santa Fe and met National EVA Board Member Tanya Pierce at the legislature. “People were fired up at the legislature and passionate about our EV road trip when I arrived,” says Martinez.
Tesla Model 3 on Turo
A State of the American Driver Report from 2022 shows that Millennials – 25 to 40 – are the most eager to go electric, followed by Gen Z – ages 16 - 24. 47% of polled Millennials are interested in buying an EV as their next vehicle, and then GenZ comes in at 41%.
These trends are some of the reasons why Jacob started his Turo business with his own Tesla Model 3. Martinez has been renting out his Model 3 via Turo since February, and his “dance card” was full in the Winter/Spring in the Phoenix area.
“The car was booked nonstop in the winter,” says Martinez. “Sometimes there would only be a couple of hours between trips.”
Jacob finds the Turo and renting experience interesting since most of the people are coming from out of the state. “People are either interested in an electric vehicle or a Tesla, and Turo allows folks to test one,” says Martinez. “I do get a lot of questions about the car itself, not just how to operate it.”
Jacob had a busy schedule during his senior year but would leave the Model 3 at the airport in one of the parking lots with his Turo business. The process was smooth with the keyless remote option that ties into renters’ drivers license.
“They can remotely unlock the car and get in without me ever having to be there or talk to me,” says Martinez. “So, on a lot of trips I never even meet the renters since I park the car at the airport.”
2023 promises to be an exciting year for Jacob, as he starts law school in the Fall and continues to explore the beautiful state of Arizona and more!
Promote Clean Air Standards and EVs via the Route Zero Relay
The EVA and many other clean air organizations are participating in the Route Zero Relay across the country, supporting the comment period for the new EPA clean air standards.