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Hoffman, a startup with experience converting DeLoreans to electric power, is developing the Badger, a vehicle platform built around salvaged Tesla components. The company plans to offer self-build kits and complete vehicles, but pricing, production timing and final specifications remain uncertain.
Startup Hoffman is developing the Badger, a platform that uses parts and software harvested from used Tesla vehicles to build vans, pickups, buses and other vehicle types. The company plans to sell it both as a kit for customers to assemble and as a fully built vehicle, offering a new use for Tesla donor cars that might otherwise be scrapped or parted out.
Hoffman’s approach combines components from Tesla’s smaller models with a bespoke platform. The company says it reuses parts such as steering wheels, seats, screens and airbags, as well as the computers and software that operate the vehicles. The Badger is the name Hoffman gives to the resulting vehicle concept, not a single fixed body style.
A demonstration vehicle shown to Out of Spec Reviews was an off-road-oriented utility van. The prototype had raised battery placement to improve its breakover angle, steep approach and departure angles, and removable roof panels and doors. Its cabin appeared sparse, with a flat dashboard and floor, a Tesla steering wheel and a central touchscreen. Those are features of the demonstrated prototype; the report does not establish that every future Badger will share its layout or equipment.
Hoffman plans to offer the Badger as a kit with a vehicle identification number, with customers supplying Tesla donor parts, or as a turnkey vehicle assembled by the company. Chief Executive Geoffrey Hoffman told Out of Spec that prices would vary with the build. The company’s broad estimate was between $24,950 and $82,490, described as more expensive than a Slate pickup but less than the discontinued Cybertruck. Hoffman expects capacity of about 100 vehicles a year; the report gives no production start date.
A Second Use for Tesla Donors
The proposal puts a different kind of vehicle reuse on the table: rather than restoring a salvaged Tesla to its original shape, Hoffman wants to transfer its electric drivetrain systems, controls and cabin components into a new body. If the plan reaches production, it could give damaged or unwanted donor vehicles another purpose while allowing buyers to choose body styles that Tesla does not sell.
For customers, the claimed practical appeal is access to Tesla-related functions in a more utility-focused vehicle. Hoffman says Badger vehicles will run Tesla code and support the Supercharger network and app-based remote controls. Those capabilities could make the platform more convenient than a custom EV built without access to an established charging and software ecosystem, though the report does not detail how compatibility, service or software support would work in practice.
The model also shifts some work and cost to buyers. A kit requires a suitable donor vehicle and the ability to complete the build, while a turnkey version would rely on Hoffman’s own assembly operation. The wide estimated price range reflects how much the final cost may depend on the selected configuration and parts. It is not a confirmed price list or a guarantee that a finished vehicle will be available at the low end.
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From Tesla Conversions to Badger
Hoffman has previously carried out electric conversions for DeLoreans, according to The Drive. The Badger applies a related idea to Tesla components, but pairs them with a platform intended for multiple vehicle forms rather than simply converting one existing model. That distinction is central to the company’s pitch: the Tesla systems provide the electric-vehicle basis, while Hoffman’s platform and body concept shape the finished vehicle.
Modular electric vehicles built around a skateboard-style chassis have been pursued by other young automakers, The Drive reported. Hoffman’s version instead draws on the hardware and software of used Tesla sedans and crossovers, including Model 3 and Model Y components, alongside its own platform. The source describes a demonstration van and the company’s plans; it does not report a completed production run, customer deliveries or independently verified performance figures.
“The expected price is more expensive than a Slate pickup but less than the dearly departed Cybertruck, with a broad estimate of $24,950 to $82,490.”
— Geoffrey Hoffman, Hoffman chief executive, speaking to Out of Spec Reviews
Production and Compatibility Questions
No launch schedule is provided in the report, and Hoffman’s stated capacity of about 100 vehicles annually is an expectation rather than a demonstrated production rate. It is not clear when the company will begin taking orders, how many kits or complete vehicles it can initially supply, or whether it has finalized manufacturing arrangements.
The report also leaves open which Tesla donor models and model years will be compatible, how buyers will source usable parts, and what happens when a vehicle’s components have been damaged in a crash. Hoffman says the vehicles will use Tesla software and support Supercharging and app controls, but the source does not describe the approval, account, warranty or service arrangements behind those features. Final prices, vehicle specifications and the range of available body styles have not been confirmed.
Orders, Builds and Production Plans
The next evidence of progress would be details from Hoffman on ordering, final pricing and production timing, along with specifications for the kit and turnkey versions. A production-ready vehicle or customer build would help clarify how the Tesla components fit into the Badger platform and what work owners must complete themselves.
Until those details are announced, the Badger remains a demonstrated concept backed by company plans, not a widely available vehicle. Prospective buyers will need to wait for confirmed compatibility information, delivered-vehicle pricing and a clearer account of charging, software and after-sales support.
Key Questions
What is Hoffman’s Badger?
The Badger is a vehicle platform Hoffman is developing that combines a custom platform with salvaged Tesla components and software. The company says it could support body styles including vans, pickups and buses.
Can customers build a Badger themselves?
Hoffman plans to offer a self-build kit with a VIN, but the Tesla donor parts would not be included. It also plans to sell complete vehicles assembled in-house. The report does not specify the skills, tools or process required for a kit build.
How much is a Badger expected to cost?
Chief Executive Geoffrey Hoffman gave Out of Spec a broad expected range of $24,950 to $82,490, depending on the build. These are estimates, not confirmed prices for specific versions.
Will Badger vehicles use Tesla Superchargers?
Hoffman says Badger vehicles will run Tesla code and support the Supercharger network and remote app controls. The report does not explain compatibility requirements or how software, accounts and service would be handled.
When will the Badger go on sale?
The source report provides no sales or production start date. Hoffman expects capacity of about 100 vehicles per year, but that remains a company plan rather than a confirmed current output.
Source: thedrive.com
