NEws From Women Who Charge

DENVER, CO – May 29, 2025 – Women Who Charge, a non-profit dedicated to educating the public about electric vehicle (EV) technology and infrastructure, and proudly sponsored by Xcel Energy, is announcing the launch of its groundbreaking EV Academy for Denver Public Schools (DPS) high school students. This innovative, six-day immersive program, set to begin on June 9th, will expose sophomores and juniors to the rapidly expanding world of clean transportation and the diverse career opportunities within it.

The EV Academy, a first-of-its-kind offering for DPS students, has already seen overwhelming demand, quickly filling its limited spots and generating a waitlist even before other summer program options were chosen. This popularity underscores a clear student enthusiasm for careers in the electric vehicle and sustainable mobility sectors.

"We are incredibly excited to launch the EV Academy, a program we've been meticulously developing with DPS for the past five months," said LaSheita Sayer, Executive Director of Women Who Charge. "It's been truly rewarding to coordinate with our extensive network of industry partners to craft a robust curriculum and secure speakers who are leaders in their fields. Our goal is to engage these bright young minds in exploring electric vehicle technology, sustainable transportation, and the emerging career landscape within the EV industry."

Over 16 leading industry partners are collaborating on the academy, providing unparalleled access and expertise. These partners include General Motors, RTD, Rivian, and Lime.

Students participating in the EV Academy will gain hands-on experience and insights into a wide array of career paths, including those in rail operations, electric motorcycles, e-bikes, scooters, cars, dealership sales, vehicle maintenance, EV charging station network management, car-sharing programs, and energy management.

The EV Academy directly aligns with Women Who Charge's mission to educate the public about EV technology and infrastructure, fostering the next generation of professionals to build a sustainable future.

About Women Who Charge:Women Who Charge is a non-profit organization dedicated to accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles and fostering a diverse workforce in the EV and clean energy sectors through education, advocacy, and community engagement. Women Who Charge is proudly sponsored by Xcel Energy.

Women Who Drive Electric: An Interview with LaSheita Sayer

Tune in to the "How You Got There" podcast by Colorado CarShare for a dynamic conversation with our Executive Director, LaSheita Sayer. In this episode, LaSheita delves into the core mission of Women Who Charge, explaining how we're tackling greenhouse gas reduction through clean transportation, supporting women in navigating new EV alternatives, and celebrating the pioneering women already excelling in these industries. Discover how we're working to "recharge" not just vehicles, but also the conversation around renewable energy and inclusivity in the EV space.

Listen to the podcast here: https://carshare.org/podcast/women-who-drive-electric/

Denver,  CO – March 22, 2025 – Women Who Charge, a dynamic local non-profit  dedicated to accelerating clean transportation and reducing greenhouse  gas emissions, is set to make a significant impact during the inaugural  Colorado Climate Week, March 24-27, 2025. The organization is hosting a  series of engaging and diverse events designed to foster collaboration,  innovation, and action towards a sustainable future.

Colorado  Climate Week brings together cleantech innovators, policymakers,  corporate leaders, and investors, and Women Who Charge is playing a  pivotal role in driving meaningful conversations and connections.

Key Events Hosted by Women Who Charge:

    March 25, 5:30 PM: Electric Vehicles and Real Estate Happy Hour
         Join Women Who Charge, in collaboration with Rivian, National Car  Charging, and IVBriefs, for an electrifying evening of networking. This  event will bring together electric vehicle (EV) and real estate  innovators to explore the intersection of sustainable transportation and  development.
        Location: Rivian, 2763 Blake St, Denver, CO 80205
        Focus: Connecting EV and real estate innovators to spark new ideas in a vibrant, casual setting.
Registration Link:  https://lu.ma/px2nouky

    March 26, 4:30 PM: Black Environmentalist Mixer
         Women Who Charge invites passionate individuals to connect and  share ideas at a special Black Environmentalist Mixer. Featuring  networking, drinks, and a thought-provoking guest speaker, this event  aims to build a vibrant community of climate advocates.
        Location: Museum for Black Girls, 500 16th St #262, Denver, CO 80202
        Focus: Connecting people within the black environmentalist community.
Registration Link: https://lu.ma/axnivpzm

    March 26, 7:00 PM: The Domino Effect: Decarbonizing Buildings, One Connection at a Time
         Join Women Who Charge for an engaging social mixer focused on  decarbonizing buildings. This unique event combines networking with an  interactive dominoes game to illustrate how individual actions and  connections can drive significant progress towards a sustainable built  environment. Enjoy live jazz and lively conversation with fellow  climate-conscious professionals.
        Location: Appaloosa Grill, 535 16th St #110, Denver, CO 80202
        Focus: Building connections and exploring innovative strategies for reducing building emissions.
Registration Link:  https://lu.ma/n19lxzyb

    March 27, 5:30 PM: Female Founders & Funders in Climate Mixer
         Women Who Charge will host a mixer at the woman-owned Olive &  Finch in Union Station, connecting female innovators, investors, and  change-makers in the climate space. This event offers a relaxed evening  of wine, conversation, and collaborative brainstorming.
        Location: Olive and Finch, Denver Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop St, Denver, CO 80202. Facing Wynkoop.
        Focus: Connecting female innovators and investors within the climate sector.
Registration Link:  https://lu.ma/20oqnyn1

“We  are thrilled to be a key part of Colorado Climate Week, bringing  together diverse voices and driving impactful conversations,” said  LaSheita Sayer, Executive Director of Women Who Charge. “Our events are  designed to foster collaboration, spark innovation, and accelerate the  transition to a sustainable future.”

Women Who Charge is  committed to building a community of advocates and driving impactful  change in the clean transportation sector. Their participation in  Colorado Climate Week underscores their dedication to creating a  greener, more sustainable Colorado.

About Women Who Charge:

Women  Who Charge is a passionate local non-profit dedicated to accelerating  clean transportation and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. They  champion the EV transition, fostering a community of advocates and  driving impactful change. 

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/keeping-charge-going-why-colorado-needs-ev-charging-station-jecze/?trackingId=xBn%2B79kFya35n9J%2FWAQvPg%3D%3D

   Colorado's electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure is booming, with  over 4,400 public charging stations keeping our state on the move. But  what happens when these stations inevitably need maintenance? This is  where EV charging station field technicians step in, playing a crucial  role in ensuring a smooth and reliable EV charging experience.     

The Growing Need for EV Expertise 

     Unlike traditional gas stations, EV charging stations are complex  pieces of equipment that sit outside, exposed to the elements. While  manufacturer warranties cover some breakdowns, they typically exclude  common issues like vandalism, user error, and even everyday wear and  tear. This is where qualified EV charging station technicians come in.     

Beyond the Electrician: Specialized Skills for a Specialized Field 

     While electrical expertise is a foundation, EV charging station  technicians require a different skillset than traditional electricians.  These technicians are more akin to field service IT specialists,  troubleshooting the intricate Internet of Things (IoT) components that  make these stations function. Their focus is on communication and  connectivity issues, the most common culprits behind charging station  downtime.     

The SAE Certification: Building Quality Control in the EV Revolution 

     The good news is that Colorado is well-positioned to address this  growing need. This fall, Women who Charge, a Denver based non profit, is  introducing a 120-hour EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment)  charging station repair training program. This program prepares students  for the industry-recognized SAE certification, ensuring they possess  the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in this evolving field.     

     By investing in a skilled workforce of EV charging station  technicians, Colorado can ensure the quality and reliability of its EV  charging infrastructure. This will not only benefit EV drivers but also  contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable transportation future.     

The Colorado Sun: The New Car Culture panel on January 24th, 2024

https://coloradosun.com/events/#2024EVRevolution

Women Who Charge Founder, LaSheita Sayer, will contribute to the conversation around the future of electric vehicles in Colorado with The Colorado Sun! This virtual event is an incredible opportunity to share our passion for reducing greenhouse gasses by advocating for the widespread adoption of electric vehicles. 

Sayer will sit on a panel of industry experts to discuss and debate the question: How will the revolution in electric vehicles and transportation design change Colorado? The conversation will extend into topics of EV mandates and subsidies, the death of big highway building and a push for free transit.

ClimateCon Colorado! on January 23, 2024

https://climatecon.world/

Women Who Charge is honored to participate in ClimateCon Colorado! on January 23rd. We are proud to be part of an event that aligns so closely with our goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

ClimateCon! Colorado empowers individuals and organizations to make a tangible impact in the fight against climate change by showcasing actionable solutions and facilitating meaningful partnerships. The event features over 70 panelists of thought leaders, experts and innovators across a variety of topics including transportation, policy, agriculture, energy and more. Among them will be Founder and President of Women Who Charge, LaSheita Sayer, who will share her knowledge of the electric vehicle and charging industry. 

ClimateCon! Colorado is an exciting opportunity to gain valuable insight and be part of the conversation that will shape the future of the industry. The Accelerating Electric Vehicle Adoption: Everyone Has a Role panel will take place from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. 

Colorado Public Radio

By Sam Brasch, December 31, 2021

https://www.cpr.org/2021/12/31/in-colorado-electric-cars-are-mostly-for-rich-people/ 

The sun was setting when Shere Walker drove her 2014 Nissan hatchback to pick up her daughter from an after-school program in Jefferson County.

The stop was her final destination before a crosstown trip to their home in Aurora. In total, Walker, a school administrator and community activist with the Black Parents United Foundation, logs between 60 to 70 miles a day in the red subcompact. Despite her car's higher-than-average fuel economy, she estimates all her driving costs about $400 per month at the gas pump.

Walker is eager to replace her "little boop-boop" with an electric car, a switch she knows could help her save money and cut her contribution to global warming. While she's aware of the benefits, she's less clear on some practical points.

"I've done some research. I've noticed some [electric cars] get up to like $110,000," she said. "Also, where do you charge these vehicles? Is it in your home?"

Walker isn't alone in her concerns. Consumer surveys have found the high cost of new electric cars and charging access are the biggest roadblocks for most potential consumers.

These are smaller barriers for wealthier people, who have driven early electric car sales. In California, the largest and best-researched market for plug-in vehicles, a 2019 study found electric vehicle buyers have an annual median household income of $190,000. Seventy-five percent are male. 81 percent own their own home, which often makes it easier to charge an electric vehicle overnight.

State-level tax data reveal similar disparities in Colorado. From 2017 to 2020, more than 12,000 households received a state tax credit to purchase a plug-in electric vehicle. More than 80 percent of those households reported an annual income of more than $100,000 a year.

LaSheita Sayer, a Black businesswoman and electric car advocate from Denver, worries those statistics hint at one way electric vehicles could drive inequality. If only wealthy people can afford the vehicles, they alone enjoy benefits like cheaper transportation and lower maintenance costs.

"And they don't need them nearly as much as the person struggling, week-to-week, to put food on the table," she said. 

Bringing down the sticker price

At the federal level, Democrats have made reducing the price of electric vehicles a key piece of their plans to combat climate change. Those vehicles are still mostly aimed at a luxury market. A recent policy review found between 2012 and 2020, the average starting price for a battery-electric vehicle rose from about $42,000 to about $62,000.

The Build Back Better Act, President Biden's climate and social welfare bill, includes tax credits meant to make the vehicles far more accessible. The $1.9 trillion version approved by the U.S. House includes incentives worth up to $12,500 for middle-class car buyers. It'd also make the tax credits "refundable," so electric vehicle buyers could claim the total value of the incentive even if they owe less in federal taxes.

The current federal electric vehicle incentive is a $7,500 “non-refundable” tax credit. To qualify for the full incentive currently on the books, a single filer needs to earn more than $66,000 a year — a design that favors the wealthy.

If the bill passes, certain electric cars, like the Chevy Bolt EV — one of the most popular electric vehicle models across Colorado —could see deep price cuts across the state.

The car would qualify for the full potential incentive since it's manufactured by a unionized U.S. company. Income-qualifying customers of Xcel Energy, the state's largest power company, can qualify for an additional $5,500 through its electric vehicle rebates.

The final price after all those discounts? About $14,000 before fees and taxes.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse said those savings could help drive down climate- warming emissions on a recent trip to his Boulder district. Many studies have found electric cars will help limit the worst consequences of climate change, especially if the U.S. continues to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy. 

"That's a big reason why we've been working to convince some of our Senate Democratic colleagues that those provisions have to remain intact," he said.

Efforts to boost the federal electric vehicle incentives hit a speed bump earlier this month when Sen. Joe Manchin, a conservative-leaning Democrat from West Virginia, rejected the bill outright on Fox News. It's now unclear if the legislation has any chance in an evenly divided Senate.

Colorado isn't slowing down

Will Toor, director of the Colorado Energy Office, said he was disappointed by Manchin’s opposition to the Build Back Better Act.

To meet state climate targets, Gov. Jared Polis set a goal for 100 percent electric light- duty cars and trucks on Colorado roads by 2050. The administration has an interim goal of 940,000 electric vehicles by 2030, a big jump from the 47,000 currently registered in the state, according to the Department of Motor Vehicles. Toor said the Build Back Better Act would provide a "significant boost" toward those targets, but he doesn't see it as essential.

"We have a lot intact at the state level that will allow us to continue to move forward regardless," Toor said.

One example is Xcel Energy's $110 million electric transportation plan, which state utility regulators approved earlier this year. The company now offers $5,500 in upfront rebates for new electric vehicles and $3,000 for used models, so long as the price tag isn't more than $50,000. To access the rebate, Xcel customers must make 60 percent of the state's median income or meet other income qualifications.

Nadia El Mallakh, a vice president of strategic partnerships, said there's been a steady interest in the program since it launched last summer. As of Dec. 10, Xcel has approved 38 customers and 17 applications are pending.

The Xcel Energy rebates come as the value of Colorado’s electric vehicle tax incentive has shrunk. The original $5,000 tax credit was one of the county’s most generous when it went into effect in 2017. Two years later, the state legislature extended it through 2025 with a plan to step down the rebates. It’s worth now $2,500 through the end of 2022 and $2,000 from 2023 through 2025.

Unlike other state incentives, the Colorado rebate does not exclude high-income households or luxury car models, but the legislature has separate efforts to expand electric car access.

Earlier this year, Gov. Polis signed a $5 billion transportation package, including a new "community access enterprise" funded with fees on retail deliveries from companies like FedEx and Amazon. State analysts estimate it should take in about $20 million over the coming fiscal year.

Maria Eiseman, a transportation policy analyst with the Colorado Energy Office, is leading an "EV equity study" to guide the program based on community input. One question under consideration is where and how to build chargers.

"We're getting into the harder and harder problems about making charging accessible for everybody who will be driving an electric vehicle," Eiseman said.

Charging ahead

For LaSheita Sayer, the decision to buy an electric car for her marketing firm, ZoZo Group, quickly showed her the inequities of the public charging network.

Most privately owned charging stations were tucked away in garages or single-family homes. Far fewer were located near apartments or rental properties. When it came to public chargers, many were in dark parking lots off of highways. 

The experience led her to found Women Who Charge, a nonprofit that helps women and people of color switch to electric vehicles. She sees particular promise in the city’s plans to add additional street-side hookups, like a set of existing chargers in Five Points, a historically Black neighborhood in Denver.

Sayer is now pushing business districts to build similar chargers into Denver street lamps. Besides offering well-lit charging stations to people without a dedicated parking spot, she said the hookups could double as billboards, letting less-advantaged communities know they have a role in combating climate change.

"We're just as interested in contributing positively to the reduction of greenhouse gases as people that make more money It's just harder for this group of folks to get access to the same car," Sayer said.

Alpine Bank Blog

December 3, 2021

https://www.alpinebank.com/community/blog/post.html?slug=sparking-connections-for-electric-vehicles-the-women-who-drive-them

LaSheita Sayer is an African American businesswoman and entrepreneur, with a passion for green energy solutions to reduce the impacts of climate change.

“I’ve made a conscious decision to shift the focus of my marketing and outreach agency onto projects that educate about electric vehicles, and to support efforts to expand the EV charging station infrastructure,” said LaSheita. “I lean on my business education and international business degree for the various ventures I’ve undertaken in my career.”

Women Who Charge is a new organization she founded, to promote the adoption of electric vehicles and to advocate for the construction of EV charging station plazas that are safe, and therefore more appealing to women.

“As the world pivots and embraces changes caused by greenhouse gases, industries become more dynamic. The fight to slow the impacts of climate change will require lifestyle changes across the board,” said LaSheita. “Not just for transportation but also in energy generation and conservation. It’s invigorating to be part of an industry that will modify lifestyles for the better.”

LaSheita identified women who drive cars as the target market for Women Who Charge, because she believes that by educating women about EVs, the transition to electric vehicles will be smoother and more efficient.

Her second goal is to achieve equality in this new industry, as electric vehicles can be an expensive proposition. “By operating a nonprofit I plan to design a program that helps get cleaner, more cost-effective electric cars into the hands of low-wage earners. Climate change impacts the low-income sector and people of color the fastest and the hardest.

Women Who Charge is a Colorado-based nonprofit advocacy group. “We’re a small board of four and a collection of volunteers. Although our challenges are similar to other small businesses or organizations, and due to the newness of the industry, there are few nonprofits that do what we do.”

She’s impressed by Alpine Bank’s endorsement of green energy projects. “My interests around sustainability and those of Alpine Bank are aligned,” said LaSheita. “They’ve demonstrated a commitment by the simple act of having EV charging stations at their branch offices.”

“My interests around sustainability and those of Alpine Bank are aligned.”

LaSheita Sayer, Women Who Charge

Learn more at https://womenwhocharge.com.

Women Who Charge is a Small & Mighty contribution to the community of Denver. To learn more about our Small & Mighty business highlights, explore our Blog.