It is officially Day 1 of SEMA 2024 in Las Vegas, and I am hitting the ground running. We’re in the North Building today, looking for the latest in car technology, accessories, and specifically how the aftermarket is starting to embrace (or ignore) the EV revolution.
I took the Vegas Loop from Resorts World to get here—$5 for an all-day pass is still the best hack in the city [00:27]. Now that I’m inside, the scale of this show is just as massive as everyone warned me.
The Rywire EV Civic: Restomod Perfection
One of the first things that stopped me in my tracks was an ’99 Civic hatchback restomod by Rywire [02:39]. As a former Civic owner myself, seeing this electrified was a trip down memory lane. I spoke with Mark from CSF, the company responsible for the cooling systems on this build.
Managing heat is one of the biggest technical challenges in EV conversions. Mark explained that the battery system (managed by AEM Electronics) needs to be brought up to operating temperature quickly but then kept there to prevent performance degradation [03:10]. CSF’s specialized cooling loops allow the system to heat or cool as needed, ensuring the batteries stay in that “Goldilocks” zone for both longevity and power.
Kia’s Electric Off-Road Future
Kia had a massive presence this year, and they aren’t just playing it safe with family SUVs. I checked out a decked-out Kia EV9 with a roof rack and beefy off-road tires [16:35], but the real star was the Kia Weekender concept.
The Weekender is an overlanding beast built on an EV platform. Here’s what caught my eye:
- Modular Interior: The floor features a track system, allowing seats to slide and reconfigure—I saw a seat roll all the way to the front.
- Integrated Utilities: It features solar panels on the roof to power appliances and internal utilities.
- Expandable Living: The doors slide out like a high-end RV, and there’s a built-in pop-up tent on top.
Hardware and Accessories: AlphaRex and Coverking
I also stopped by the AlphaRex booth [19:04]. I actually run their tail lights on my Model Y Performance, and they’ve expanded their lineup to include full headlight assemblies for the Model S, Model 3, and Model Y. If you’re looking to give your Tesla a more aggressive, high-end look, these are the gold standard.
Over at Coverking, I got my first look at the Volkswagen ID. Buzz. Even though it was partially covered for a product demo, the retro-futuristic styling is unmistakable. It’s definitely one of the most unique EV profiles hitting the market soon.
Where are the Rivians?!
I have to be honest with my fellow Rivian owners: SEMA Day 1 was a bit of a letdown for the R1T and R1S [20:21]. I’ve been walking the halls asking manufacturers about compatibility, and it’s a lot of “not yet” or “no plans.”
It seems the aftermarket is still heavily focused on Tesla and legacy ICE vehicles. But don’t worry, I’m going to keep hunting through the Central and West halls to see if I can find anyone showing some love to the Rivian platform.
