Sep 15

Join the AustinEV Road Rally Scavenger Hunt (October 12)

By aaronchoate in Events, social

Join us on Sunday, October 12 during National Drive Electric Month for a fun electric vehicle (EV) road rally, even if you don’t have an electric vehicle.

Starting at 10:30 am in North Austin
With lunch, total time is about four hours.
– sign up to receive the starting location

Sign up now!

We will drive our EVs from Austin to Taylor. Along the way, Driver-Navigator teams will look out their windows to answer questions like:

“What color is the house on the corner of 5th and Main?”
“What animal is on the mailbox at 123 Main Street?”

The route will take us to a restaurant where we can get lunch and review answers.

Want to participate but don’t have an EV? We can match you onto a team.

Got an EV but not a Navigator? We can match someone without an EV onto your team.

Details:
Our destination is Plowman’s Kitchen in Taylor.

https://www.facebook.com/PlowmansKitchen/

305 West 9th St
Taylor, TX 76574
(512) 352-0055

Has gluten-free bread and some choices that appear to be vegetarian (mostly salads and sides).
Look for musical instruments displayed in this former 1923 high school band room.
Drive is 56 minutes, 36 miles one way (about 72 miles round trip).
With lunch, total time is about four hours.

Note: There are no available EV chargers in Taylor!
Nearest appear to be 18 miles west on route 79 at Austin Community College Round Rock.

Taylor attractions include:

Old Taylor High – 1923 high school converted to a variety of shops, restaurants, and bars. Behind and to the right of Plowman’s Kitchen. Some of the stores are open at noon or 1:00 PM on Sundays. Yelp reviews. Authentic Texas story. Video story.
Historic Downtown Taylor – Variety of shops and restaurants a short drive back down Main St/95. Some closed Sundays. Plenty of free on-street parking.
Architectural walking tour – Self-paced walk to learn the history of 29 downtown buildings. Map.
US Post Office – Part of the architectural walking tour. Texas Historic Landmark built in 1930 in Renaissance Revival style with marble stairs, metal railings, and multi-paned transom windows. Come for the history. Linger for the wonderful, old wood fragrance.
Granger Lake – Four public access located eight to 15 miles away. Boating, fishing, swimming, and more. Recreation.gov.

Sign up now!

Sep 30

Big News: TCEQ EV Rebates Return October 13, 2025 — Don’t Miss Out!

By George Dearing in Events

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is reopening its Light-Duty Motor Vehicle Purchase or Lease Incentive Program (LDPLIP), and for Central Texas EV enthusiasts, this is an opportunity to make your next EV purchase even more rewarding.

🗓 Rebate applications open: October 13, 2025
Eligible purchases or leases must be made on or after September 1, 2025.

What You Can Get

For new, untitled vehicles, you may qualify for rebates up to $2,500 for battery-electric, plug-in hybrid, or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. The vehicle also needs to be on TCEQ’s Eligible Vehicle List and registered in Texas for at least one year.

Who Qualifies

Private buyers (consumers) and businesses are eligible
The vehicle must be new and untitled
It must be on the official TCEQ eligible list
Must register and maintain registration in Texas for at least one year after purchase

Eligible EV Types

Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)
Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles
Weight limit: Must weigh 10,000 lb or less

You can see the latest eligible models on the TCEQ LDPLIP website. Automakers like Tesla, Hyundai, Ford, Rivian, and more appear.

How It Works

Purchase or lease a qualifying new EV
Take possession of it (before applying)
Submit your rebate application with proof of title, registration, etc.
Grants are awarded first come, first served until funds are exhausted

Why This Matters for AustinEV Members

The TCEQ rebate helps lower the sticker shock and nudges more buyers toward clean, electric mobility.
AustinEV’s role is connecting people — whether through news, events, or ride-and-drive opportunities — and helping local EV adoption.

Save the Date: AustinEV Road Rally Scavenger Hunt (October 12, 2025)

Want to get out, have fun, and engage with the local EV community? Join us for the AustinEV Road Rally Scavenger Hunt on October 12!

We’ll start around 10:30 am in North Austin and drive toward Taylor. The full outing (including lunch and activities) will take about four hours.
Teams (Driver + Navigator) will spot sights and answer trivia during the drive (for example, “What color is the house on the corner of 5th and Main?” or “What animal decorates a mailbox?”)
Lunch will be at Plowman’s Kitchen in Taylor, where we’ll gather, review answers, and enjoy some time together!
Don’t have an EV or a navigator? No problem — we’ll match you up so you can still participate!

Even if you’re not yet ready to apply for a rebate (or haven’t picked your car), this is a perfect chance to connect with fellow EV fans, test EVs, and see what the community looks like up close.

✅ What You Can Do Right Now

Mark October 13, 2025 on your calendar — that’s when rebate applications open.
Begin checking which EVs on your list are already on TCEQ’s eligible model list.
Register now for the Road Rally Scavenger Hunt (October 12) — it’ll be a great way to get eyes on EVs and meet the community.
Share this post with friends, neighbors, and coworkers who are thinking of going electric — this is a perfect window to act.

News

Sep 24

⚡️🌞 AustinEV at Sun Day 2025 🌞⚡️

By George Dearing in Events

This past weekend, AustinEV had the chance to connect with dozens of drivers—some curious first-timers, others seasoned EV owners—at Sun Day. The conversations were lively and wide-ranging, but a few themes stood out:

🔌 Charging: The Elephant in the Room

Charging is still the biggest question for many—but it’s not as daunting as it seems. We often challenge drivers to rethink how they actually drive. Most daily trips fall well within the range of modern EVs. Once people map out their real-world habits, they realize home charging or weekly top-ups are usually enough.

And you don’t need a costly setup to start. Plenty of EV owners rely on a standard 110V outlet—Level 1 charging—for overnight top-ups, especially for second vehicles or low-mileage use. Unfortunately, this option rarely comes up in dealership conversations or mainstream coverage.

When it comes to road trips, planning tools take the stress out:

A Better Routeplanner (ABRP) customizes routes by vehicle, charger type, and even weather.
Tesla’s built-in navigation automatically factors in battery level, traffic, and elevation.
Apps like PlugShare and Chargeway, and ChargePoint help drivers find, review, and check station availability.

Takeaway: Austin’s charging network is growing, but awareness lags. Most drivers don’t need daily fast charging, Level 1 is often overlooked, and smart tools make long trips much easier than people expect. Anxiety fades when the math gets personal.

🚗 Veteran EV Owners: Back in the Market

We also spoke with long-time EV drivers—some who’ve been electric for nearly a decade—who are finally ready to upgrade. Why now?

Battery tech has improved, with better range and features.
Used EVs are more accessible, making second or third EV purchases easier.
Many want to share their stories and help others make the leap.

Takeaway: These drivers are the backbone of the EV movement. Their return to the market signals a healthy, growing ecosystem and reinforces the importance of community knowledge-sharing.

🤔 Brand Awareness: Big OEMs Step Up

EVs aren’t just Tesla anymore—but many shoppers still think in terms of just a few models. At Sun Day, we heard surprise when people learned how much variety exists today:

Ford’s Mustang Mach-E, F-150 Lightning, and E-Transit
Volkswagen’s ID.4
GM’s Bolt, Blazer EV, and Equinox EV
Hyundai and Kia’s compelling but under-the-radar offerings
Nissan’s upcoming Leaf for under $30K

Takeaway: Legacy automakers are finally showing up with real variety and competitive pricing.

💸 Incentive Confusion: A Teachable Moment

Federal and state incentives are shifting, leaving many drivers scratching their heads. Common questions included:

“Do I still get the tax credit if I lease?”
“Why did the rebate disappear for this model?”
“Is there anything local I can apply for?” (Yes, actually)

Takeaway: The good news is that people are asking. That curiosity is the first step toward informed choices. We shared resources, clarified rules, and pointed attendees to AustinEV.org for updates.

🧭 Final Thoughts: Community Is the Compass

The common thread across all these conversations? People want clarity. They want real stories, practical tools, and honest answers.

Events like Sun Day create space for exactly that—and remind us why community matters so much in the EV movement. Big thanks to the organizers for hosting such a vibrant gathering. We’re energized and ready to keep the momentum going at our upcoming AustinEV meetups!

Learn more at AustinEV.org

#AustinEV #SunDay2025 #DriveElectric #EVCommunity

electric vehicles, events

Aug 04

⚡️ July High Voltage Happy Hour Recap – New Faces, Great Conversations, and EV Energy

By George Dearing in Events

We had another great evening with the AustinEV community at our July High Voltage Happy Hour on Thursday, July 17th at Hopsquad Brewing Co. in North Austin. About a dozen EV drivers and enthusiasts came out to connect, share ideas, and enjoy the laid-back setting.

💬 A Community Growing One Meetup at a Time

Our monthly happy hours are meant to be casual, welcoming spaces for anyone interested in electric vehicles—whether you’re an EV owner, curious about switching, or just want to chat with others in the community.

One of the recurring themes that came up during our conversations was how many factors are converging right now—from new EV models and federal/state incentives, to evolving infrastructure and broader policy shifts. This convergence is making it an especially important time to share information, ask questions, and explore the wide range of choices available to current and future EV owners. As we look ahead to the coming year, opportunities for collaboration, learning, and impact are only growing.

🔌 Meet Supersun Electrical Services

We were pleased to welcome Gabe and Jessie Lensing , the team behind Supersun Electrical Services. As a young Austin-based startup, Supersun is already making a mark in the EV space under the guidance of Gabe, a licensed master electrician with deep technical experience.

They’re also a Tesla-certified installer for EV charging and battery storage. What really stood out was their education-first approach—helping customers better understand home electrification options. And while they don’t focus on solar installations, they will get you solar-ready.

We’re excited to see how their thoughtful, customer-focused strategy develops—and glad to have them part of the AustinEV community!

🙌 New Member Spotlight: Roy Martz

A shoutout to Roy Martz, who recently joined AustinEV through our national chapter sign-up. Thanks for jumping in, Roy—we’re looking forward to seeing more of you at future events.

🔜 What’s Next?

We’ll be announcing the August meetup soon—expect another great venue in a different part of town as we continue rotating locations to include more of our members and support local businesses.

👉 Want to stay in the loop? Check out AustinEV.org or join us on Facebook for upcoming events or ways to get involved.

Thanks again to everyone who joined us—we’re energized by your presence and support.

⚡️
— The AustinEV Team

AustinEV Partners, electric vehicles, events

Mar 05

AustinEV Hosts the Mobility Ecosysytem Zone at Earthday ATX

By aaronchoate in AustinEV Announcements, Events

Earth Day ATX, Austin’s annual citywide Earth Day event, will return to the Huston-Tillotson University campus on Saturday, April 12th from 12 to 6 pm.

This family-friendly event is free and open to the public.

The festival will include hands-on activities for all ages, food, music, guided movement activities, conversations and exhibits.

AustinEV is proud to host the Mobility Ecosystem at Earth Day ATX this year as a microcosm of Austin’s transportation system that you can explore yourself.

We’ll have several examples of the EVs that are on the market today. We’ll have AustinEV members on hand to answer questions and share about what it’s like to drive electric!

(you can sign up to offer to display your vehicle when you add yourself as a volunteer!)

Learn about your options for rebates for home EV charging equipment and affordable public charging options as well as the options you have to earn tax credits on your 2025 EV purchases.

You’re encouraged to turn your thoughts into action, as we work towards supporting our Mobility Ecosystem in Austin.

More about EarthdayATX – https://earthdayaustin.com/