This year’s Mobility Ecosystem Display and Ride & Drive during EarthDay ATX at Huston‑Tillotson University drew a steady stream of deeply engaged visitors. Instead of quick walk‑bys, we had long, thoughtful conversations — the kind that actually move people closer to EV ownership. It was a reminder that quality interactions often matter more than quantity.
Tesla Stepped Up — And Brought Test Drives
Tesla was able to officially attend, and they made the most of it. Their team brought three vehicles to join the test drives — one Model Y and two Model 3s — and kept the ride‑and‑drive loop active throughout the afternoon.
They also brought additional display vehicles, including another Model Y Performance and a Model 3 Performance. While these weren’t in the official test‑drive rotation, they drew a lot of booth traffic and sparked detailed Q&A about trims, performance differences, charging, and ownership.
Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, especially around Full Self‑Driving (FSD). Many people who had only seen FSD online were surprised at how polished it felt in real‑world use. For several attendees, it was their first time experiencing any form of driver‑assist automation, and it left a strong impression.
Used EVs: Growing Interest and Better Options
Visitors also noted that the used EV market feels stronger than ever — with better choices than previous years, more competitive pricing for 200‑plus‑mile models, and noticeably less anxiety about charging as people gain a clearer understanding of the real infrastructure available.
It’s clear that as the used market matures — and as more off‑lease vehicles hit the market — shoppers are feeling more confident exploring EV ownership for the first time.
Real‑World Experience Matters
Several AustinEV members were also on hand throughout the event. In addition to the ride-and-drive vehicles from our dealer partners, members displayed their own EVs — including a Cadillac Lyriq, Tesla Model X, Tesla Cybertruck, VW e-Golf, Chevy Bolt, and Hyundai Ioniq — and answered questions while sharing their day-to-day experiences. These conversations covered everything from:
- Home charging setups
- Road‑trip planning
- Battery longevity
- Maintenance expectations
- Hot/Cold weather performance
- What to look for when buying used
Even attendees who weren’t actively shopping for an EV were curious about range, maintenance, and long‑term ownership. The ability to talk with real owners continues to be one of the most valuable parts of our Ride & Drive events.
A Thank‑You to Our Earth Day Partners
We want to extend a sincere thank‑you to the Earth Day ATX coordinators for hosting a fun, well‑organized event and supporting us throughout the process. Their team helped create a welcoming environment for meaningful conversations about clean transportation and community engagement.
Join AustinEV — Help Shape the Future of EV Education in Central Texas
If you enjoyed the event — or if you want to help more people learn about EVs — we’d love to have you as a member.
AustinEV is the Austin chapter of the Electric Vehicle Association, a national nonprofit dedicated to EV education and advocacy. Becoming a member supports our local events, outreach, and community programs.
👉 Join the EVA and select the Austin chapter: https://www.myeva.org/join
Your membership helps us keep hosting Ride & Drives, answering questions, and showing our community what electric transportation looks like in real life.
