The EV market is rapidly expanding. OEMS are producing more and more cars, and consumers are spending their money upgrading and customizing them. Motorsport programs are embracing EVs and there are plenty of people converting their classic cars to electric.
SEMA gave them all an opportunity to show off their work with SEMA Electrified – a celebration of the EV in all it’s forms.
Tesla have been a pioneering company in EV manufacturing. In 2021 they sold 21% of all purely electric vehicles.
With so many on the market it’s inevitable that some will be modified or turned into race cars. We’ve already seen one set up for the track on the MSUK stand at Formula E London – which you can read about here: https://motorsportformentalhealth.com/2022/08/03/formula-e-sabic-london-e-prix-2022/
Turn 14’s race car was more extensively modifed though. The aggressive aero package really suits the Model 3!
There were a number of other Teslas in the Electrified display featuring some different body modifications and wheel/tyre set ups.
I have to admit, I think they’re growing on me. The dual motor, all wheel drive Model 3 would probably make a fun track/autocross car. They’re still far too expensive for me at the moment, but it’s something to think about for the future.
Lordstown Motors based in Ohio brought along their new Endurance model.
The truck will pull 8000lbs (3600KG) and has a range of 200 miles. It has a motor behind each wheel – making it four wheel drive – but without the need for a propshaft and differentials, presumably giving you more storage room.
Could be a good workhorse!
The Karma GS-6. If the name sounds familiar to you, Fisker Automotive used to build a plug-in hybrid called the Fisker Karma. In November 2012 Fisker’s battery supplier, A123 Systems, went bankrupt and production of the car ceased.
Later that year the Chinese auto conglomerate Wanxiang Group brought and restarted A123 Systems. In 2014 Fisker sold the Karma vehicle design, tooling and factory to Wanxiang who rebranded as Karma Automotive and the Karma model was renamed Revero.
The GS-6 is the latest iteration of the Revero. It’s 500lbs (226KG) lighter than the previous Revero and will now do 0-60 in 4.5 seconds. Impressive for a big luxury GT car.
Of course it’s not just manufacturers building electric cars. There are companies popping up all over the place who will convert your classic car to electric, and even a number of people giving it a go themselves!
There were a number of converted classics in SEMA Electrified.
Check out the amount of room in the engine bay of this truck! The battery and ECU were mounted in a box in the bed. If you wanted to could put a false floor in there to make a sizable “frunk”.
Bisimoto’s 935 K3V. This was my favourite car of SEMA 2019. Stay tuned because Bisi has built another 935 which was on display in the Toyo Tires Treadpass. The article for which will be coming out soon, so make sure to subscribe to the blog down below!
EVs are becoming more prevalent in motor sport too. Here we have Napoleon Motorsports’ Tesla swapped Camaro drift car.
There was also the Team Vesco/Revolt Systems “Little Giant” electric land speed record holder. This car broke the national official record of 353.87mph and reached a top speed of 357.5 over a flying mile.
I hope EVs bring more interest to land speed racing in the public eye. It’s a seriously cool sport. Hopefully Bloodhound actually gets finished some time soon! The overall land speed record hasn’t been broken since Thrust SSC 763mph in 1997!
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By Richard Francis
