Thursday, September 02th, from 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM Mean Eyed Cat Bar 1621 W 5th St, Austin, TX
Join the AustinEV community for our High Voltage Happy Hour, an informal meetup for electric vehicle drivers, enthusiasts, and anyone curious about EVs.
Come connect with others who are passionate about clean transportation, share stories, swap tips, and catch up on what’s happening in the local EV scene. Whether you’re new to EVs or a long-time advocate, all are welcome.
What to Expect:
A casual, come-and-go gathering
Friendly conversations with fellow EV enthusiasts
Updates on local charging, tech, and EV trends
A relaxed setting with food and drinks available for purchase
No agenda—just good people and good conversation. We’d love to see you there!
What happens when you mix electric vehicles, curious minds, and a quirky small-town destination?
You get another unforgettable AustinEV Road Rally Scavenger Hunt!
Fourteen participants paired up into Driver–Navigator teams and set off on a one-hour adventure through the Hill Country, following turn-by-turn directions packed with 51 clever clues about what they’d see along the way.
“On the left, what gas station brand wants you to sit then leave?”
Answer: Citgo.
“How many M’s are in the food mart name?”
Answer: 3 — M&M Food Mart!
Armed with a mix of keen observation and healthy EV enthusiasm, teams logged their answers through Jotform, while ChatGPT did the quick work of tallying the results. The verdict? Almost every team nailed it — nearly perfect scores all around!
The rally ended at Plowman’s Kitchen, a delightfully offbeat restaurant inside the former 1923 Old Taylor High School band hall, now decked out with repurposed instruments and vintage charm. Over lunch, participants swapped stories, shared laughs, and recharged — both themselves and their EVs.
Then came a special treat: Stu Bailey from Take Charge Emergency EV Charging rolled up in his fully electric mobile charging van. He gave everyone a peek inside his setup, handed out some cool giveaways, and even topped off a participant’s Chevy Bolt right there in the parking lot.
Afterward, many of us wandered through the Old Taylor High complex — now a maze of shops, restaurants, and even an arcade. The clear favorite stop? Chemistry Lab N7, serving liquid-nitrogen-chilled, made-to-order ice cream that wowed everyone with its frosty clouds and futuristic flair.
By the end of the day, the consensus was clear:
✨ We need to do this again. ✨
Thanks to everyone who joined us for another charged-up day of EV adventure — and stay tuned for details on our next AustinEV Road Rally Scavenger Hunt. Trust us, you won’t want to miss it.
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)
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.
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.
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!
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
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.
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.
Thursday, September 25th, from 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM Hold Out Brewing 1208 West 4th Street,. Austin, TX, 78703
Join the AustinEV community for our High Voltage Happy Hour, an informal meetup for electric vehicle drivers, enthusiasts, and anyone curious about EVs.
Come connect with others who are passionate about clean transportation, share stories, swap tips, and catch up on what’s happening in the local EV scene. Whether you’re new to EVs or a long-time advocate, all are welcome.
What to Expect:
A casual, come-and-go gathering
Friendly conversations with fellow EV enthusiasts
Updates on local charging, tech, and EV trends
A relaxed setting with food and drinks available for purchase
No agenda—just good people and good conversation. We’d love to see you there!
Join AustinEV on September 21 at the capitol for SunDay, a celebration of the progress solar (+ batteries) are making and a promotion of all the things it can do.
We will have a table to inform people of the benefits of owning an EV, particularly if they are considering adding solar and batteries to their homes.
Sept. 21st is particularly relevant to possible EV buyers because it is just before Sept. 30th deadline to make use of the tax incentives.
Start: Sunday, September 21, 2025 at 04:00 PM
Location: Texas State Capitol — 1100 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701 US
Thursday, August 28th, from 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM Celis Brewery 10001 Metric Blvd, Austin, TX
Join the AustinEV community for our High Voltage Happy Hour, an informal meetup for electric vehicle drivers, enthusiasts, and anyone curious about EVs.
Come connect with others who are passionate about clean transportation, share stories, swap tips, and catch up on what’s happening in the local EV scene. Whether you’re new to EVs or a long-time advocate, all are welcome.
What to Expect:
A casual, come-and-go gathering
Friendly conversations with fellow EV enthusiasts
Updates on local charging, tech, and EV trends
A relaxed setting with food and drinks available for purchase
No agenda—just good people and good conversation. We’d love to see you there!
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 willget 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.
Thursday, July 17th, from 4:00 to 6:30 PM Hopsquad Brewing Co 2307 Kramer Lane, Austin TX 78758
Join the AustinEV community for our High Voltage Happy Hour, an informal meetup for electric vehicle drivers, enthusiasts, and anyone curious about EVs.
Come connect with others who are passionate about clean transportation, share stories, swap tips, and catch up on what’s happening in the local EV scene. Whether you’re new to EVs or a long-time advocate, all are welcome.
What to Expect:
A casual, come-and-go gathering
Friendly conversations with fellow EV enthusiasts
Updates on local charging, tech, and EV trends
A relaxed setting with food and drinks available for purchase
No agenda—just good people and good conversation. We’d love to see you there!
