Powering the Past, Educating the Present, and Energizing the Future—on Route 66
Kingman, AZ – The Historic Electric Vehicle Foundation (HEVF) is proud to announce the purchase of a landmark building from the City of Kingman to expand the internationally celebrated Route 66 Electric Vehicle Museum. The new facility will evolve into a dynamic Museum and Science Center, offering expanded historical exhibits, cutting-edge STEM education, and vital community engagement programs—all in the heart of Kingman’s historic Route 66 district.
This expansion is not only a celebration of transportation history, but a renewed investment in Kingman’s future.
Route 66 and Electric Innovation—Then and Now
The Historic Route 66 corridor has long been synonymous with American mobility, innovation, and adventure. As the “Main Street of America,” Route 66 connected rural towns and growing cities with the heartbeat of progress.
Today, the HEVF Route 66 Electric Vehicle Museum honors that legacy while spotlighting a lesser-known truth: electric vehicles were part of transportation history long before gasoline dominated the roads.
• In 1900, electric cars made up nearly one-third of all vehicles in the U.S.
• Early electric taxis operated in New York City as early as the 1890s.
• Innovators like Thomas Edison and Ferdinand Porsche were early champions of electric drive systems.
• Women in the early 20th century favored EVs for their simplicity and quiet operation, offering independence and freedom in an era when it was rare.
By reviving and showcasing this rich history, HEVF isn’t just preserving the past—it’s educating the future.
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Museum Expansion: Education, Energy, and Community
The revitalized facility will feature:
• Historic Museum Exhibits: Tracing the evolution of EVs from the 1800s to today, including rare prototypes, battery-powered classics, and concept cars.
• STEM & Energy Education Center: Interactive exhibits and hands-on learning about electricity, renewable energy, and the evolving energy grid—bridging the gap between EVs, fossil fuels, hydrogen, and future innovations.
• Community Resource Hub: A welcoming space for lectures, local partnerships, student programs, and cultural events.
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Why This Matters
In an era of polarized debates about energy and the environment, understanding the full energy story is more important than ever. The new museum will teach how:
• Electric vehicles and renewable energy are part of a diverse energy ecosystem, not a replacement for fossil fuels, but an evolution alongside them.
• Fossil fuels, electricity, hydrogen, solar, and battery storage are all part of a complex but cooperative system powering homes, cars, and economies.
• Energy literacy is essential to preparing future leaders, engineers, and informed citizens.
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A Gift to Kingman—and the World
HEVF’s partnership with the City of Kingman began in 2014. Since then, the museum has welcomed thousands of travelers, captured international media attention, and brought renewed tourism to downtown.
This new Museum and Science Center will deepen that impact—turning Kingman into a flagship destination on Route 66 for cultural tourism, sustainability education, and electric innovation.
“Museums like ours don’t just preserve history—they spark curiosity, fuel learning, and build bridges between generations. This expansion will help Kingman lead in both heritage and innovation.”
— Tosha O’Neill, Director of Operations, HEVF
About the Historic Electric Vehicle Foundation:
The Historic Electric Vehicle Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the world’s largest collection of historic EVs and sharing their story with the world. From century-old battery-powered vehicles to rare experimental designs, HEVF is where past, present, and future meet—on Route 66.
Source: Historic Electric Vehicle Foundation (HEVF)