Top Electric Vehicle Builds Of The 2022 Sema Show
The SEMA Show and the automotive aftermarket industry have long had gasoline running through their veins. With the rise in EVs from OEMs, EV swap kits and supporting products, there has been a noticeably increased interest in these technologies at the SEMA Show. That transition was obvious walking through the aisles, displays and halls of the 2022 SEMA Show. More builds are being electrified and swapping internal combustion engines for electric motors, drivetrains and battery packs. And there were more companies at this years show than ever before specializing in producing components to convert almost any vehicle to an Electric Vehicle. Here are some of the top EV-focused finds from this years show.
A Batteries Rivian Overland Builds
OPTIMA Batteries debuted two overland builds based on the Rivian R1T truck and the R1S SUV. Built-in collaboration with DCE, a new product line from Weistec Engineering, they are fully outfitted for off-road exploration. Improved puncture resistance and traction come from the 35-inch BFGoodrich All-Terrain KO2 tires wrapped around 20-inch Black Rhino wheels. Baja Designs lights illuminate the way with iKamper and Camp King roof-top tents providing comfortable accommodations at the end of the day. Several other off-road modifications make the twin Rivians the perfect platforms for getting deep into the backcountry.
Ensuring that both Rivians have the range to get back home and power other electrical accessories is the unique and innovative Optima Power Station trailer. Based on a trailer from Turtleback Trailers, it uses a 110 kW Volta Technologies lithium-ion battery pack that can charge either Rivian from 0 to 80%. Atop the trailer is a deployable awning with integrated Merlin Solar panels capable of refilling the Power Stations battery, negating the need to find a charging station in the middle of nowhere.
Jeeps CJ Surge Concept
Jeep is no stranger to electrification, with its hybrid Jeep Wrangler 4xe already on sale. But this was the first time we had seen the brand experiment with making an EV conversion system for older Jeeps available to the public through its Mopar parts and accessory division. Currently, in concept form, the system uses a 400-volt electric motor that produces 268 horsepower. A 24-module lithium-ion battery array is found in a custom enclosure in the back of the Jeep.
The rest of the Jeep is just as eye-catching as its electric powertrain, with the CJ-8 body slathered in Copper Canyon paint and graphics. A 2-inch suspension lift clears the way for the 35-inch BFGoodrich all-terrain tires on Black Rhino wheels. Eagle-eyed Jeep enthusiasts might be able to spot the 2-inch chopped windshield and Jeep Performance Parts JK front bumper.
LegacyEV Ford Mustang EV500
LegacyEV built the Ford Mustang EV500 to showcase its ever-growing selection of EV components and conversion systems. Under the hood of the fully-electric classic Mustang is a LegacyEV CR-43 Revolt Crate Motor. Designed to mate to LS engine mounts, the CR-43 produces 450 kW along with 600 horsepower and 1,000 lb-ft of almost instantaneous torque. The same motor holds the electric land speed record at 353 miles per hour.
Feeding power to the motor is 17 of LegacyEVs 057 Technology Tesla Battery Modules. Only 400 lbs. were added to the Mustang during the electric conversion, making it seriously quick while still offering a 200-mile range. If the $70,000 price tag of the transformation is too much, LegacyEV also had on display a seriously modified 1930 Ford Model A using a Cascadia SS-250-115-D electric motor as a lower-cost conversion option.
Electric GT CJ-EV8
Electric GT is well-known for its Porsche 911, 912 and 964 electric conversion packages. For SEMA Show 2022, the brand also had its newer et-413 system on display under the hood of this beautifully resto-modded Jeep CJ-EV8. Built to replace older V8 engines, the et-413 Motor Block is the same size as the ever-popular LS V8 to simplify the swapping process. Like all Electric GT systems, the et-413 is designed to be plug-and-play so DIYers can install it without needing specific high-voltage assembly knowledge.
Also making installation simpler is the modular design allowing for the control boxes and other exterior components to be easily relocated to make space in tight engine bays. In this configuration, the system produces 450 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque to move the CJ-8 quickly. A custom battery enclosure resides in the rear of the electrified CJ-8 supplying the et-413 with plenty of juice.
Conductive Classics 1964 Ford Galax-E
Conductive Classics specializes in powertrain packages for classic rides along with complete builds, and its electrified 1964 Ford Galax-E definitely caught our attention. A more intensive build than its previous cars, the Galax-E uses the entire suspension and brakes from a Tesla Model 3. The rear motor and battery were sourced from a Model 3 and expertly blended into the car, remaining hidden underneath it.
The space under the Galax-Es generous hood has been turned into a cooler for cold beverages and a lowered suspension gives it a mean stance. With only 28,000 original miles, the Galaxy turned Galax-E was in great shape, but the body was treated to a beautiful shade of deep blue paint. Since the Galax-E is a bit aerodynamically challenged, the Conductive Classics team estimates its range to be 250 miles.
Maxwell Vehicles Vanacea Camper Van
Maxwell Vehicles has lots of experience converting delivery vans and shuttles to EVs. But with the explosion of van life and camping, its new Vanacea camper van makes perfect sense. Made for overlanders or anyone looking for more comfort than a tent, Vanacea is built on a Ram ProMaster van chassis. Using Maxwell Vehicles EcoSystem powertrain package, Vanacea comes with an ePro 300-horsepower motor feed by either a 74- or 125-kWh battery.
The base model 74-kWh battery yields a range of 170 miles, with the larger 125-kWh unit upping the range to 250 miles. A massive 1400-watt solar panel array is cleanly integrated into the roof rack to help fill Vanaceas batteries when chargers arent available. All of Vanaceas electrical components run off the same batteries that power it, so the inside of the van is functional and roomy without any house batteries taking up valuable space.
Bisimoto Engineering 1984 Porsche 935
Bisi Ezerioah, the owner of Bisimoto Engineering, is known for his wild builds and his electric 1984 Porsche 935 is no exception. The car initially started its life as a 911 gathering dust in the corner of a California garage. Bisi then sourced Kremer-style bodywork to turn it into a 935 and significantly add to its width and aggression. A motor sourced from a Tesla was tweaked to produce 636 horsepower at the rear tires, and its rev limit was raised to a staggering 18,200 rpm.
Bisi spent lots of time relocating the batteries to improve weight distribution to 50/50 from the previously tail-heavy stock configuration. He also added a CHAdeMO DC fast-charging port that can refill the Porsches batteries in just 36 minutes. If the wild Porsche doesnt get enough attention, its eye-popping gunmetal grey and pink livery with unique Rotiform wheels definitely do its part.
GIGPeformances Regenerative Suspension Power System
Most have heard of the regenerative braking systems that electric vehicles use to capture braking energy and then use recharge batteries. But we had never seen anyone harness suspension movement and regenerate that energy back into an EVs battery systems until we saw GIGPerformances unique Roadkill 1000. The idea is both simple and complicated at the same time. Two arms come off the Roadkill 1000 and attach to any part of the suspension that moves (the rear links of a UTV in this example).
Like the old hand crank generators of the past, the suspension moves the Roadkill 1000s arms, generating energy in the process. The same unit then takes that energy and sends it to recharge the EVs battery. While it is still in its early stages, multiple sizes of the Roadkill will be available. GIGPerformance says it doesnt need excessive movement to generate power, making it suitable for use on paved roads.
