# Salvaged EV Conversion Buses Hoffman EV Builds the ‘Badger’ Bus From Old or Wrecked Teslas By Adam Harrie | Written with AI assistance | Published 2026-11-06 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/salvaged-ev-conversion-buses References: [insideevs](https://insideevs.com/news/814513/tesla-custom-ev-bus-pickup-hoffman-badger)  Hoffman EV is preparing the ‘Badger,’ which converts old or wrecked Teslas into an [11-seat bus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/id-buzz-microbuses) or another body style. For buyers reusing a ‘Model 3’ or ‘Model Y,’ it retains Tesla controls, Supercharger access and Tesla’s ‘Full Self-Driving (Supervised)’ driver-assistance system. The first ‘Badger’ traveled from Wisconsin to SEMA in Las Vegas, demonstrating that the donor’s charging setup remains usable after the rebuild. An 8-inch ride height and a battery pack mounted 1.5 inches higher than in the original car add clearance for rougher roads. Sales are expected in 2027 as a complete vehicle or a kit with a VIN. A kit with a VIN turns [Tesla salvage cars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/outage-ready-electric-cars) into a platform rather than a write-off, broadening the market from finished-vehicle buyers to rebuild-minded owners. Pricing between the ‘[Slate Truck](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/slate-ev-truck)’ and Tesla ‘Cybertruck’ also gives custom-body EV shoppers a middle option that keeps Tesla charging and software in place. Image Credit: Hoffman EV ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 9.7/10 - Popularity: 92% | Activity: 100% | Freshness: 100% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) > [Transportation](https://www.trendhunter.com/transportation) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Salvage-to-platform Evs:** Written-off electric vehicles can become modular foundations for new formats, expanding residual value through reusable batteries, software and charging ecosystems. - **EV Kit Conversions:** VIN-backed conversion kits create a middle market between DIY rebuilds and factory vehicles, giving customization communities access to road-ready electric mobility platforms. - **Retained Software Mobility:** Keeping original driver-assistance, controls and charging access after major vehicle rebuilding highlights new value in software continuity beyond the first vehicle life cycle. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Electric Vehicles:** Legacy EV components are gaining secondary-life potential as manufacturers and rebuilders transform damaged cars into differentiated commercial and recreational models. - **Automotive Aftermarket:** Conversion-focused products could shift aftermarket demand toward structural kits, body swaps and certified rebuild services that preserve high-value electric drivetrains. - **Sustainable Transportation:** Repurposing wrecked EVs into multi-passenger vehicles supports circular mobility models where material recovery is paired with practical zero-emission transport capacity. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Modular Commuter eBike Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tmb-launch-edition.md) - [Off-Road Camper SUVs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/storyteller-overland.md) - [Electric Camping SUVs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/electric-camping-suvs.md) - [Modular EV Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aria-2.md) - [Reconfigurable Adventure Vans](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/modular-adventure-vans.md) - [Electric Pickup Trucks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/scout-terra.md) - [Custom-Build Electric Vans](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/open-bed-chassis-cabs.md) - [Six-Seat Electric SUV Models](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/teslamodel-y-long-wheelbase.md) - [Electric Trailer Retrofits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/electric-trailer-retrofits.md)