Table of contents for Summer/Fall 2023 in EV Builder Guide

SINCE we launched EVBG in early 2022, I've witnessed the most incredible growth in the conversion to EV and modified EVs worlds. It's like a symphony of zealous enthusiasts, ranging from frugal DIY wizards to the extravagantly wealthy individuals, joining forces to champion our underground movement that's itching to go mainstream. I've encountered the most jaw-dropping problem solvers, from devoted garage tinkerers to full-blown engineering geniuses. These folks have left me dumbfounded. Seb Smith's autonomous retrofit system alone was a mind-bending adventure. Our EV world is filled with purely brilliant minds! I've always daydreamed about seeing “regular” cars getting a highvoltage makeover, but I secretly believed it would forever be a pipe dream. But it appears the tides are turning, with conversion gurus and independent installers worldwide expanding their arsenal…

AN automotive revolution is taking place in the heart of Temecula, California. Bill Cardoso, chief executive officer of Creative Electron and Scorpion EV who earned a doctorate in electrical and computer engineering, has breathed new life into an iconic sports car, transforming it into a silent predator of the twisty roads and tracks. Meet the “Silver Scorpion,” a 2022 Scorpion EV Scorpion 600. This beast seamlessly merges the timeless design of a Cobra with the cutting-edge technology of a Tesla powertrain. The genesis of the Silver Scorpion arose during the COVID-19 lockdown as a passion project between Cardoso and his 11-year-old son. Being sensitive to loud noises, his son could not join him in the exhilarating drives offered by traditional sports cars. Determined to bridge the gap between his love…

HERE'S the crème de la crème of the retrofit and EV modification world! Brace yourselves for our dazzling Top 12, featuring your ride's most useful or revolutionary components. 1 Model 3/Y LED Steering Wheel This carbon-fiber steering wheel offers a comfortable, grippy feel and superb look with several LED indicators. At the top center, information such as speed, temperature, or lowvoltage battery is displayed, and acceleration or regen is shown on each side. This steering wheel retains the heating function and is exclusively available for Model 3 and Y. Tesery www.tesery.com 2 Fellten FL10 Mini System Here's the ultimate conversion solution for your classic Mini! Transform your British pocket rocket with Fellten's unique bolt-on solution that offers up to 110 miles of range. With features like City and Sport driving modes, a…

THE ELECTRIC PLAYGROUND 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…

IN an EV world captivated by self-driving technology, one innovator, Seb Smith, took matters into their own hands and transformed a humble Smart car into a semiautonomous marvel. With experience gained at Rivian in the US, Zero EV in the UK, and relentless determination, Seb, based in London, meticulously engineered a complete retrofit system to convert any car to autonomous driving. In principle, this can be installed on any classic and modern classic reasonably straightforwardly. That said, it is currently being utilized on several early Tesla Model Ss that lack self-driving capabilities from the factory. It is important to note that this project is still in its developmental stage and is solely intended for DIY enthusiasts looking to develop their engineering and coding skills. However, if you're interested in upgrading…

COLD SHOULDER: ICY TRANSFORMATION IN a world dominated by gas-guzzling vehicles, a few brave souls dare to challenge the status quo. One such individual is Colby Ashton Good, who took it upon himself to transform his 2021 Tesla Model Y Performance into a cool-as-ice work of art. With a year's worth of dedication, over $40,000, and the support of the AcrophobiA car club, Colby created a masterpiece he lovingly calls “Cold Shoulder.” Choosing the color scheme for Cold Shoulder was the easiest part of the entire build. Colby's fondness for the combination of satin white and baby blue was the perfect fit for his vision. The eye-catching color scheme gives the vehicle a cold, frozen aesthetic that perfectly complements its unique personality. Colby has built several vehicles over the years,…

Builds Straight from Our EV Community AS a lover of cars and electronics, I've long dreamed of building a lightweight electric sports car. My search for a suitable vehicle led me to the Vauxhall VX220, also known as an Opel Speedster in other markets. Sharing much of its design with the Lotus Elise, it represents one of the lightest modern production cars available and a perfect starting point. My goal for this project was to minimize cost and weight while maximizing performance. I also wanted to use as many open-source components as possible and share my progress with the community. The result is exactly what I hoped for—an electric vehicle perfectly suited to the enjoyment of winding British backroads. The Tech I chose a salvaged Tesla Small Rear Drive Unit…

HIGH VOLTAGE The range is 250 miles—if you don't test the grip limit full-time, just for kicks! TWO years ago, in a remarkable tale of dedication and innovation, the team at Inspire EV, based in Arvada, Colorado, embarked on an ambitious project to bring a firstgeneration Ford Mustang into the modern era. Their mission? To transform a 58-year-old classic car into a stunning, drivable work of art that seamlessly blends timeless styling with a cutting-edge electric drivetrain. The result is “High Voltage,” a Mustang that not only looks better than when it left the factory but also boasts a powerful Tesla-powered heart. The journey began with discovering a neglected 1965 coupe in a scrapyard. Inspire EV's crew's determination to incorporate Tesla LDU and battery packs without modifying the car presented…

Isn't it a waste to ditch a 3,300-pound car just because 500 pounds is considered obsolete? ROEL Pollen is the man behind Monceau Automobiles in Hasselt, Belgium, a unique, high-end conversion specialist focusing solely on MercedesBenz's most prestigious classics, SLs. Upon completing its initial 107-series “eSLC,” we were privileged to interview him and discover the team behind the most beautiful electric Mercedes-Benz ever created. Roel's choice for SL and SLC is clever The 107-series roadster and coupe already have much of the inherent smoothness associated with electric propulsion. The Monceau eSLC chassis #001 is the company's prototype. Still, for the finalspec cars the team is currently building, the drivetrain, which fits all variants (R107 eSL, C107 eSLC, W111 eSE coupe and convertible), will be built around a slightly different requirement…

FUEL2ELECTRIC: FUELING THE RETROFIT REVOLUTION WELCOME to the electrifying world of Fuel2Electric, where the company is not just building the most extensive independent network of EV conversion professionals, but it is doing it with flair! As the first multivendor platform dedicated to EV conversion, the team is here to educate and communicate about the retrofit concept and its numerous advantages. Gone are the days when EV conversions were limited to our arguably nerdy community. The F2E trio, comprised of John Wilson and brothers Arno and Laurent Frugier, is on a mission to enlighten the masses about the wonders of converting older vehicles to electric power. Who knew that ditching those pesky ICEs for sleek, electrified systems could save you from constant maintenance headaches and give you an awesome perm-a-smile? Well,…

BRACE yourself for a fresh load of electric vehicle lingo. We guide you through it all with simplicity as your trusty co-pilot. Once you overcome your initial jitters, you'll realize that EVs aren't necessarily more intricate than their gas-guzzling counterparts. Some might argue that, in many ways, they are in fact much simpler and easy to work on. Torque Vectoring Torque vectoring is an advanced control strategy found in multi-motor EV's wherein the system has the ability to dynamically adjust torque to each of the half-shafts. Torque vectoring improves traction, cornering capabilities, and overall stability. Solid-State Battery A battery technology that uses a solid electrolyte as opposed to the flammable liquid electrolyte solution found in lithium-ion batteries. Solid-state batteries are still largely in development, but once commercially available, they promise…

ONCE a devoted Mazda RX8 owner, I poured my heart and soul into that car. I cherished its perfect fit, exceptional handling, and thrilling revs. However, as much as I loved the 2004 GT RX8, it became clear that its maintenance costs and fuel efficiency were far from ideal. Eventually, I had to say goodbye and embark on a new automotive adventure. For a while, I settled for leasing practical people movers while awaiting the perfect opportunity. However, when the announcement of the Tesla Model 3 arrived in 2016, I wasted no time in placing a deposit. This was a revolution in the making. Having experienced the pleasure of riding in my friends’ Model S and Model X, I was ready to embrace the electric revolution. While the RX8 excelled…

THIS summer, we have a jampacked schedule with an abundance of converted classic and modified EV-only shows, and we'll be at almost all of them! It will be a fantastic opportunity to meet you all in person. Let's rendezvous at the various Electrify Expo Showoffs across the US, the revved-up Tesla Supercharged event in the UK, the Tesla Owners’ Silicon Valley Takeover, and the Fully Charged Live in San Diego. If you have a thrilling vehicle that deserves the spotlight, don't hesitate to get in touch beforehand. We would love to capture it in all its glory! Now, here's something you don't want to miss! On Saturday, Aug. 5, I'll take the stage as the keynote speaker at the State of Charge EV Conversion Event in Denver. The second edition…

FROM V-8 TO EV REPLACING a Land Rover's powertrain is not new; even equipping it with an electric motor is not. Land Rover did it in 2013 with a limited run of “research vehicles.” Since there was only a handful of converted Defenders in the world, specialists such as London Electric Cars have recently been offering turnkey solutions, converting any Defender to e-power. According to Matthew Quitter, who founded LEC in 2017, it is, in fact, reasonably straightforward … “well, once you have done it a few times.” Matt even compares it to assembling a remotecontrolled electric model car. The components and systems are remarkably similar. Matthew and his team repurpose Nissan's EV technology from its bestselling Leaf. This follows the circular economy concept: recycling, retrofitting, and stopping wasting. Some…

KARMA: REDEFINING EV MODS LAS Vegas is known for its glitz and glamour, but hidden among the neon lights and bustling streets is a ground-breaking masterpiece turning heads in the local car scene and EV modification world. Meet “Karma,” a 2020 Tesla Model Y brought to life by the visionary builder Brett Hunsaker. Brett has always been drawn to pushing the limits of automotive customization. So, with a background in minitrucks and lifted rigs, he set out to infuse that unique style into an electric vehicle. And from the moment he laid eyes on a Tesla Model Y, he knew it would be the perfect canvas for his project. As the saying goes, Rome wasn't built in a day, and the same can be said about Brett's remarkable build. The…

THE story behind the Tjin Edition Ford Mustang Mach-E California Route 1 showcases the passion and dedication of a true automotive enthusiast. Neil Tjin from Laguna Niguel, California, has been immersed in the automotive industry since 1996, turning his hobby into a full-time job and a lifelong passion, building award-winning show EVs and electric trucks—and organizing one of the coolest EV events in the US: Electrify Expo's Showdown. “I am a huge fan of the EV space, and even though it is still new and upcoming, it is freaking awesome,” Neil says. “And being the director of the showoff, I get to meet fellow EV builders, we get to set the trends for the future, and I get to see cool EVs across the country. The space is hot, new,…

MEET Jack Kerridge, the automotive talent behind the wheel at Silent Classics based in the southwest of the UK. With classic cars coursing through his veins from an early age, Jack's destiny was sealed as he tinkered away in his father's workshop, immersing himself in the art of car restoration. Here, he cultivated the skills and meticulous attention to detail that set him apart. Motivated by his love for his struggling Fiat 126, Jack reached a tipping point when its underwhelming 0.6-liter engine repeatedly succumbed to failure. Driven by determination and a stroke of inspiration, he took matters into his own hands and embarked on a transformative endeavor—his inaugural electric conversion—revitalizing his cherished vehicle. The resounding success of this project ignited a newfound passion within Jack, propelling him to push…

THE blank canvas. One part opportunity, one part frustration. Be it a lump of clay or an empty engine bay, when the possibilities are endless, where do you start? For an EV builder, one of the biggest challenges is to decide where and how to place all those batteries needed to get their motor spinning in a way that is both safe in design and slick in appearance. A great way to start painting a blank canvas is to give yourself constraints that guide your work. So before you start building your own EV battery pack, let's familiarize ourselves with some examples of industry best practices to help you design a bespoke battery pack for your EV repower! Full disclosure: Battery pack construction is often considered to be the Wild…

VDA 355 Modules Both Korepower and A123 manufacture VDA 355 modules. A VDA-sized module is set by the “Verband de Automobilindustrie” (German Association of the Automotive Industry). This group has proposed standards for the size of battery cell technology used in the automotive industry. A VDA 355 module specification of 355x151x108mm. This allows for consistency in size and power, while affording different voltage and capacity configurations to meet the needs of your build. LG Chem Modules Composed of seven pouch cells wired in series, the air-cooled JH3 64Ah battery module by LG provides a lightweight and high-performance solution for EV builders. Tesla Modules Tesla Model S modules come with 444 individually fused cylindrical cells in a 6S74P configuration. As part of the integrated cooling system, each row of cells is…

IF you want plentiful power out of your electric vehicle, you need the ability to move a lot of current from the battery pack to the motor at high voltages. Doing so requires working with large cable that's capable of high continuous and peak current ratings. These cables need to be securely terminated at both ends, which can require tools and skills found outside of traditional hot rodding. This guide will serve as a starting point so that you can get watts where they are needed in your EV build. MEASURE AND CUT IT The first step in running your HV lines is to cut your cable to the proper length. In most cases, we will terminate the cable on one end, leaving the other end longer than necessary. Run…