Hertz’s efforts to support electric vehicle use has received a glowing endorsement.

The rental car giant was among 15 individuals and organizations named as recipients of the 2023 Drive Electric Awards, presented by Plug In America, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating the shift to EVs.

Plug In America said the awards recognize those who have “demonstrated leadership, perseverance and commitment to the EV transition.” The winners will be honored at a Nov. 9 ceremony at the Westdrift Manhattan Beach in Manhattan Beach, Calif.

“We can’t wait to celebrate these leaders and innovative organizations,” Plug In America executive director Joel Levin said. “We’re inspired by their creativity, dedication and enthusiasm to teach others about EV benefits, use EVs to better their communities or push for more equitable access to EVs.

“We’re in awe of the work they have done, and our country is better off because of them.”

Award recipients range from two sitting U.S. senators and national car rental giant Hertz to individuals tirelessly working out of the spotlight. A committee of Plug In America’s experienced board members selected the honorees from a pool of nominations submitted by the public earlier this year.

Hertz joined Oklahoma-based Francis Energy as winners of the Organization Award.

Other award winners included two U.S. senators and the city of Phoenix, Ariz.

Linda Nicholes Lifetime Achievement Award: Sen. Tom Carper of Delaware, chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee; Will Beckett, co-founder and board member of the Electric Vehicle Association Central Coast Chapter in California.

Advocate Award: Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York.

EV City Award: Phoenix

EV Awareness Award: Joyce Breiner, co-founder and executive director of Poolesville Green in Maryland; Rap Hankins, president of Drive Electric Dayton in Ohio.

Individual Award: Mayor Rey León of Huron, Calif.; Philip Jones, executive director of the Alliance for Transportation Electrification; Minh Le, general manager of energy and environmental services for Los Angeles County; Carleen Cullen, founder and executive director of California-based Cool the Earth.

City Captain Award: Kate Kruk, director of community engagement for Livingston Energy Group in New York; Barry Rands, volunteer with San Luis Obispo (Calif.) Climate Coalition and Citizens’ Climate Lobby.

Student Award: Anthony Asuncion of Rutgers University in New Brunswick, N.J.