Electrify Expo: Showcases Stunning EV Conversions and Modified EVs

EVBG STAFF . July 11, 2023 . All EV Vehicles

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Electrify Expo Showcases Stunning EV Conversions and Modified EVs, Plus Cutting-Edge Tech

Right in the heart of all the action in Long Beach, California, the first-ever Electrify Showoff stole the show on May 19-21 amidst the hustle and bustle of OEM EV manufacturers, aftermarket EVs specialists, and retrofit specialists’ exhibits. This incredible custom car show featured an impressive lineup of about 110 EVs. But it was not trade and business. Local EV enthusiasts brought out the big guns with a wide variety of modified Teslas, converted classics, e-bikes and trikes, and even purpose-built electric cars designed specifically for motorsports.

Some seriously influential figures stole the spotlight at Electrify Expo. One of them was none other than Ryan Basseri of Rywire Motorsport Electronics. He brought the heat with two of his electric conversions, including his jaw-dropping S2000, a project that made waves at SEMA in 2022. This beauty caught everyone’s attention with its discreetly modified exterior and intriguing deleted exhaust openings.

Ryan had another trick up his sleeve—a red 6th-generation Honda Civic hatchback that left visitors in awe. Why? This bad boy incorporated Tesla motors, delivering power to all four wheels through AEM EV control solutions.

The retrofit and modified EVs have become a full-on subculture.

Another vehicle that caught everyone’s eye was a Tesla Model 3 that was masterfully built by Evasive Motorsports and driven by the skilled Dai Yoshihara. During the 2021 Pikes Peak hill climb, they faced some electrical troubles, but guess what? They bounced back like champions in 2022! Not only did they secure the fastest time among all the EV competitors, but they also snagged a super impressive ninth-place finish overall. It was an absolute triumph for the team!

The superb selection of retrofitted classic cars got everyone excited at the show. Conductive Classics totally rocked it with its 1964 Galaxie, while Current LA blew minds with its reimagined 1932 EV Deuce. The rebuilt 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air EV by Current also stole the spotlight, showcasing this perfect fusion of vintage looks and cutting-edge electric power and winning the “Best of Show” award.

Block Tribute Racer

The Sierra Echo EV was showcased at the Hypercraft booth, representing the collaboration between Sierra Cars and Hypercraft. And guess what? During Industry Day, Sierra Cars founder and professional race car driver Cole Powelson and Hypercraft co-founder and chief marketing officer Jonathon Miller announced that Lucy Block, who’s not only a rally driver but also the wife of the legendary late Ken Block, will be taking part in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb to honor her husband’s legacy and raise awareness for the 43 Institute.

Classic 911 Galore

People were going crazy for Porsches with electric powertrains at the show! It was all the rage, and companies like ReVolt Systems and Ampere EV were right in the mix, offering conversion kits that make the whole process a breeze (and relatively affordable, too). The Toyo booth had this mind-blowing electric 935, all thanks to the genius Bisi Ezerioha. This bad boy was equipped with a beastly three-phase motor pumping out over 440kW/600h, and they cleverly hid the battery packs, too. Bisi’s previous Porsche EV project, a 1984 935, had already made waves in 2020. That guy knows how to turn heads!

Ruined Teslas

There were so many other modified electric rides at the Electrify Showoff that made a profound statement. AutoFashion brought its A-game with a widebody Model 3 that was straight up drool-worthy. The Tesla was just one of many modified Teslas from Team Ruined, which took home Best Crew of Showoff. Another stunner included the Tjin Edition Mach-E on full air suspension, looking all sleek and stylish. Tjin also had an F-150 Lightning built for overlanding, ready to take on any adventure you throw at it.

Electrify Showoff was a mind-blowing sneak peek into the future of electric car customization and mods. It was insane: You could feel the energy and excitement in the air. The growth potential for our scene is staggering, and it has become a full-on subculture, with more exciting stuff coming our way in the years to come. Short term, the Electrify Expo is heading for a full US tour, with six other dates throughout the summer and fall, including San Francisco; Washington, DC; Long Island, New York; Seattle; Miami; and Austin, TX. Check out electrifyexpo.com for more info and bookings, and we’ll see you there!

On Sunday, networking time allowed us to see firsthand the converted classic EVs on display, take photos, and question the builders during the catered lunch break and afternoon happy hour. The day concluded with an informative “Ask the Experts” Q&A session, whereby all conference speakers were brought together for audience queries.

Casey Loter of Salt Lake City was the lucky winner of the CD-7LG Carbon Digital dash display, donated by AEM-EV. The Golden Wrench, i.e., the Promoter’s Pick for Best of Show, was awarded to Kevin Erickson for his ‘73 “Electrollite” by Terry Breheny of Ohm On The Range. Finally, the longest-distance-driven-in-a-converted-EV award went to Mick Longley from Durango, Colorado, who came at the wheel of his Nissan Leaf-swapped ‘71 Volkswagen hatchback 729 miles (roundtrip).

There’s more!

Terry, show organizer, concluded the weekend by stating that based on the overwhelmingly positive feedback from both days, the event will return next year with even more activities and vehicles. Watch this space for the 2023 dates, or check SOC23.com.