Hoffman Badger Minibus Built From Tesla Parts
A small Wisconsin startup unveiled an 11-seat electric minibus converted from donor Tesla vehicles at the SEMA show in Las Vegas.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
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Hoffman, a small Wisconsin startup that converts old or wrecked Tesla EVs into other vehicle types, debuted the Hoffman Badger at the SEMA show in Las Vegas. The company plans to begin sales of the Badger next year.
Why it matters
The Badger shows how used Tesla components can be repurposed into new vehicle types, offering an alternative path for owners of damaged EVs. For Wisconsin, it highlights a homegrown startup working in the electric vehicle space.
The Badger has an 8-inch ground clearance and raises the high-voltage battery pack 1.5 inches on a new chassis. The startup says it can build around 100 units per year, with expected pricing between $26,400 and $77,000.
The players
Hoffman
A small Wisconsin startup that converts old or wrecked Tesla electric vehicles into other vehicle types, and the builder of the Badger minibus.
The details
The Badger is built by installing components from a donor Tesla Model 3 or Model Y, including seats, dashboard, steering wheel, motors, and door handles, into a new chassis. Customers can buy a ready-made Badger or a kit and source a donor Tesla themselves; doors, roof, and most seats are removable, and it is titled as an 11-seat bus.
Timeline
This year: Badger debuted at the SEMA show in Las Vegas.
Next year: Expected start of Badger sales.
First quarter of 2027: Expected aerodynamic improvements to the vehicle.
Roadmap
The Badger reflects a growing secondary market for used EV components, as companies look to extend the life of Tesla platforms beyond passenger cars. It positions Hoffman in a niche that repurposes electric vehicles rather than building them from scratch.
Buyers considering a Badger can choose between a ready-made vehicle or a kit that requires sourcing a donor Tesla. Expected pricing sits between the Slate Truck and the Tesla Cybertruck, so budgets should account for a wide range.
The takeaway
Repurposing damaged or used EVs into new vehicle types could extend the useful life of those batteries and bodies. Owners weighing repair or replacement may find conversion options worth comparing.
What happens next
Sales of the Hoffman Badger are expected to begin next year, and aerodynamic improvements are expected in the first quarter of 2027.
Further reading
For more on the electric vehicle market, see Electric Vehicles coverage in Wisconsin.
Source note: This article includes information reported by InsideEVs.
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