- Electrify Outdoor Rec, presented by Falken Tires, in NY brought together the best in EV-friendly off-road and overlanding gear, including tires, trailers, outdoor kitchens, and accessories.
- Kim Manitt’s Tesla Model S won Best Outdoor Rec for its camping-ready modifications, including a pop-up trunk tent.
- The gloss black Cybertruck at the Falken Tires booth was a crowd favorite.
If you’re the kind of person who loves getting off the grid, kicking back under the stars, or pushing your vehicle to its limits on off-road trails, then you probably already know that outdoor recreation is entering a new era. And Electrify Expo NY took things to a whole new level. From October 12-13, Nassau Coliseum turned into a hotspot for off-road and overlanding enthusiasts, bringing together the best of both worlds: outdoor rec and electric vehicles (EVs). The lineup? Everything from EV off-road tires to trailers and even fully equipped outdoor kitchens. And the spotlight was at the Falken Tires booth.
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Now, I’ve been to plenty of events, and it’s always the same thing: You walk around, you see a few cool cars, and you move on. But Electrify Outdoor Rec, presented by Falken Tires, flipped the script. It’s more like an all-in-one EV camping and off-roading experience. Neil Tjin, Director of Electrify Outdoor Rec, put it perfectly when he said, “Electrify Expo brings together the best in off-road and overlanding for the EV community. We wanted to create a space where people could explore and experience the latest in outdoor rec, from tires to trailers to every accessory you could dream of.” And dream we did.
Teslas Shine at Electrify Outdoor Rec, Winning Top Awards
A prime example of innovation in outdoor rec came from Kim Manitt, who took home the Best Outdoor Rec award, presented by Falken Tires, with her 2015 Tesla Model S. In addition to the light modifications such as a frunk light, spoiler, and even painted calipers, the custom pop-up trunk tent, specifically designed for car camping, got people to stop and ask Manit questions. This tent connects seamlessly to the Tesla’s tailgate, giving you air conditioning and enough space to sleep six people. Yes, six people. This car-camping setup is for entire families, making outdoor recreation a breeze (literally, with that A/C running).
I have to mention Metric Cuevas and his 2018 Tesla Model 3. He brought his show-stopping ride all the way from the West Coast to New York, just to see how it would stack up against the East Coast competition. And it definitely did not disappoint. Cuevas took home the Best of Show award (again!) in the Electrify Showoff competition with a Tesla Model 3 that had everyone turning their necks in the Falken Tires booth. He’s now won on both coasts, which is basically EV royalty status. And as if that wasn’t enough, he also scored a custom Showoff bag from Lunar Plus.
A Cybertruck That Was Dressed To Impress
A gloss black Cybertruck on display at the Falken Tires booth was easily one of the biggest attractions. People couldn’t stop talking about it, and for good reason. The front of the Cybertruck was so glossy you could see your reflection, while the matte finish on the rear quarter panels gave it a rugged, off-road-ready vibe. It looked like the future of off-roading. Its design and massive presence made it stand out every time, and it’s a crowd favorite for a reason. If you’re heading out for some backcountry camping, why not roll up in something that looks straight out of a sci-fi movie?
East Coast EV Community Shatters Off-Roading Myths
The thing that struck me the most about this year’s Electrify Outdoor Rec was how much the East Coast EV community has grown. I remember when people thought EVs couldn’t handle serious off-roading or overlanding. Well, that myth got shattered in real-time. From off-road tires specifically designed for EVs (shoutout to Falken Tires) to custom off-road trailers that make camping look like glamping, and outdoor kitchens that make your backyard setup look like an amateur gig, the East Coast EV crowd is not playing around.
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As Tjin said, “The East Coast continues to impress and push the envelope with their EV builds, and we can’t wait to see what 2025 has to offer.” And honestly, neither can I. The competition, the community, and the creativity – it’s all there, and it’s only getting bigger.
If you’re someone who’s been on the fence about diving into the EV world for your outdoor adventures, let this be your sign to get in on it. The tools, the community, and the events like Electrify Expo and Electrify Outdoor Rec are making sure you don’t miss a beat.
Electrify Expo and Anker Bring Clean Energy to Outdoor Rec
At the end of the day, the combo of outdoor rec and electric vehicles is only getting stronger. I’ve seen enough to know that when the community pushes like this, big innovations follow. A perfect example is Electrify Expo teaming up with Anker. They’ve introduced renewable energy solutions to power the festival, using Anker’s portable power stations to show how clean energy can run big events like Electrify Expo. This collab sets the tone for sustainable outdoor recreation, where you can not only take your EV off the grid but also stay powered up with renewable energy.
Now, are you ready to take your outdoor rec game to the next level? Don’t miss Electrify Expo Austin at Circuit of The Americas on November 9-10! It’s your chance to see the future of off-roading, overlanding, and everything EV. From the latest gear to live demos, you’ll have a front-row seat to the next generation of adventure. Get your tickets now online.
2024 Electrify Expo Schedule
| Date | Location |
| March 16-17 | Orlando, FL (new location for 2024) |
| May 4-5 | Phoenix, AZ (new location for 2024) |
| May 31-June 2 | Long Beach, CA |
| July 13-14 | Denver, CO (new location for 2024) |
| August 24-25 | San Francisco, CA |
| September 14-15 | Seattle, WA |
| October 12-13 | Long Island, NY |
| November 9-10 | Austin, TX |
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IMAGES: ELECTRIFY EXPO
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