The Rise of the Aftermarket EV: Electrify Showoff San Francisco Takes Customization to a Whole New Level
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The Rise of the Aftermarket EV: Electrify Showoff San Francisco Takes Customization to a Whole New Level

Electrify Showoff San Francisco EV Customization - CJ Cardinalli, 2018 Tesla Model 3
  • Electrify Showoff Driven by Yokohama Tire in San Francisco showcased over 60 customized aftermarket EVs.
  • Mavrick Knoles’ Tesla Model A from Legacy EV won Best EV Conversion.
  • CJ Cardinalli became the “Best of Show King of the West Coast” after winning Best of Show in both San Francisco and Long Beach.

If you thought customizing traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles was exciting, wait until you get into the world of aftermarket EVs! The recent Electrify Showoff, Driven by Yokohama Tire in San Francisco, was evidence of how far we’ve come in personalizing electric vehicles.

What started as a small gathering of EV enthusiasts has now doubled in size, with over 60 customized electric cars, trucks, bikes, and scooters on display, making this year’s event truly exceptional.


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Electrify Showoff is a Celebration of Aftermarket Innovation and EV Community Spirit

With more than two dozen vendors showcasing their finest, including Legacy EV, Yokohama Tire, OC Customs, AlloyGator, Toyo Tires, the event was a goldmine for anyone looking to see the latest in aftermarket parts and custom car culture. Exhibitors such as Hankook Tires, Switch Vehicles, Tesla Upgrades, EV Republic, Tint World, and Super73 showcased some impressive custom electric cars, trucks, and bikes at their booths.

Electrify Showoff San Francisco EV Customization vendors and exhibitors

From aftermarket rims to custom car wraps, exhibitors pulled out all the stops, proving that the aftermarket EV scene is growing and thriving. Chris Trujillo, who wowed the crowd in the Yokohama Tire booth with his fully kitted 2021 Tesla Model 3 Performance, took home the Best Vendor Vehicle award, a clear sign of the growing demand for aftermarket parts.

But what truly sets Electrify Showoff apart is the sense of community and shared passion among attendees. “This event is about more than just showing off cars; it’s about celebrating the ingenuity and creativity of the EV community,” said Neil Tjin, Director of Electrify Showoff. Legacy EV’s Model A, which won Best EV Conversion, was a crowd favorite, blending nostalgia with advanced technology in a way that only the aftermarket EV world can achieve.


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Electrify Showoff San Francisco Exhibitors

  • Alloygator
  • Brake Free Tech
  • EVs Republic
  • Hankook
  • Legacy EV
  • OC Customs
  • Quit Carbon
  • Super73
  • Switch Vehicles
  • TeslaUpgrades
  • Tint World
  • Toyo
  • Yokohama Tire, Ruined
  • Colorado Cadi


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Custom EVs, Personal Style, and the ‘Best of Show King of the West Coast’

But no conversation about this year’s Showoff event would be complete without mentioning CJ Cardinalli. His 2018 Tesla Model 3 once again claimed the Best of Show, and it solidified his reputation as the “Best of Show King of the West Coast” after his earlier win in Long Beach.

Cardinalli’s vehicle featured custom touches like a full wrap in Avery brushed titanium, carbon fiber accents, and a starlight frunk tub, making it a true masterpiece of aftermarket customization. And it wasn’t just CJ who stood out—his crew, RUINED, also took home the Best Crew award, highlighting the close-knit community and shared passion that drive these builds.

Electrify Showoff San Francisco EV Customization - CJ Cardinalli, 2018 Tesla Model 3

Then there was something truly unique to the show, like the Best Kicks award, which went to Kevin Kwok (who also owns an award-winning 2018 Tesla Model 3), whose choice of footwear—a pair of Nike Kobe 5 Protro ‘Bruce Lee’, currently valued at $645 (size 10) on StockX—was as amazing as the custom cars surrounding him. It’s this fusion of car culture and personal style that makes Electrify Showoff a unique experience.

“We’re seeing the convergence of different aspects of customization—whether it’s through custom cars, aftermarket wheels, or even the shoes you wear while driving them,” noted Tjin. This statement highlights how the aftermarket EV scene is breaking traditional boundaries, allowing for a more holistic expression of personal style.

Whether it’s recognizing individual achievements or team efforts, Electrify Showoff continues to celebrate both the cars and the people who bring them to life.


The event also celebrated two-wheeled electric vehicles, with Nicholas Weis winning the Best E-Bike award for his 2023 Estrapz SB Thunder Mk2, featuring a custom wrap, a powerful speaker system, and an eye-catching RGB light kit. On the motorcycle side, Wilson Wong’s 2014 Zero SR earned the Best Motorcycle award, thanks to his self-designed and 3D-printed parts, including a distinctive headlight cowl and custom grips.


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Winning Teslas Steal the Show

The show also featured standout winners in various categories, from Best Paint to Best Audio, each vehicle telling a unique story of customization. Vince Miranda’s 2023 Tesla Model Y, which won Best Audio, was praised for its Alpine F#1 audio system that could make even the most boring commute feel like a private concert. The experience is so realistic, you feel immersed in every note, making his custom setup truly unforgettable.


Meanwhile, Robert Gonzales’s 2019 Tesla Model 3, which bagged both Best Paint and Best Stance, turned heads with its wide body, air suspension, and custom wrap. These awards are badges of honor in the aftermarket EV community, earned through countless hours of hard work and a strong dedication to innovate.

Personalization is everything, and the growing aftermarket EV culture is changing the way you think about your vehicle. EVs are no longer just about efficiency and sustainability. Today, they’re your canvas for creativity, a platform for self-expression, and a proof of the endless possibilities that aftermarket customization offers.


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The Future of Car Culture

Whether you’re into custom car wraps, aftermarket headlights, or unique wheel packages, the options are limitless—and Electrify Showoff SF showed that the future of car culture is electric.

You never know how far you’ll go in customizing your ride, especially with events like Electrify Showoff showcasing the best of the best. But one thing’s for sure: your passion, creativity, and community spirit will keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in this scene. And as Tjin put it, “We’re just getting started.”

With vendors offering everything from custom car wraps to aftermarket rims and headlights, the possibilities for personalization are endless. Who knows? Maybe your ride will be the next Best of Show winner at Electrify Showoff Driven by Yokohama Tire.

Electrify Showoff San Francisco EV Customization - Awards

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Electrify Showoff San Francisco Award Winners

CategoryNameVehicle
Best FrunkMatthew Henrichsen2019 Tesla Model 3
Best AudioVince Miranda2023 Tesla Model Y
Best PerformanceSamantha SullivanTesla Model 3
Best Paint presented by MeguiarsRobert Gonzales2019 Tesla Model 3
Best Wrap / Graphics presented by Tint WorldMarcus Conner2018 Tesla Model 3
Best InteriorMike Faith2022 Tesla Model 3
Best Wheel/Tire package presented by AlloyGatorChris Trujillo2021 Tesla Model 3 Performance
Best StanceRobert Gonzales2019 Tesla Model 3
Best E-Bike presented by Super 73Nicholas Weis2023 Estrapz SB Thunder Mk2
Best MotorcycleWilson Wong2014 Zero SR
Best Scooter / Micro Bike presented by JackRabbitEric PrueJackRabbit
Best SUVNoah Snyder2022 Tesla Model Y Performance
Best TruckPatrick Xie / Urander2024 Tesla Cybertruck
Best Vendor VehicleChris Trujillo2021 Tesla Model 3 Performance
Best EV Conversion presented by POR 15Mavrick Knoles (Legacy EV)Tesla Model A
Best Outdoor Rec presented by FalkenSarah Buecher (Thunderbolt Adventures Supply)2022 Rivian R1T
Best CoupeMavrick Knoles (Legacy EV)Tesla Model A
Best KicksKevin KwokNike Kobe 5 Protro ‘Bruce Lee’
Best SedanChris Fernandez2021 Tesla Model 3 Long Range
Best CrewRuined
Best of Show presented by YokohamaCJ Cardinalli2018 Tesla Model 3

For more information on Electrify Showoff Driven by Yokohama Tire, visit www.electrifyexpo.com/showoff and follow on social media – Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.


2024 Electrify Expo Schedule

DateLocation
March 16-17Orlando, FL (new location for 2024)
May 4-5Phoenix, AZ (new location for 2024)
May 31-June 2Long Beach, CA
July 13-14Denver, CO (new location for 2024)
August 24-25San Francisco, CA
September 14-15Seattle, WA
October 12-13Long Island, NY
November 8-10Austin, TX

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IMAGES: ELECTRIFY EXPO

FTC: We use income-earning auto affiliate links. Learn more.

AUTHOR: 

RANDI BENTIA

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