For how much Tesla and the world’s EV makers have succeeded in dispelling the myth that electric vehicles are slow and boring, there remains a certain challenge in convincing the owners and drivers of them just how much fun their vehicles can actually be. Enter Holley Performance’s High Voltage Experience event series, which for three years has been bringing the aftermarket and high-performance driving opportunities to owners and enthusiasts of EVs.

This year, the Holley High Voltage Experience (HHVE) joined forces with Tesla Owners of Silicon Valley’s ongoing Tesla Takeover event, for a two-location weekend filled with everything every EV owner could ask for to unlock the true potential of their electric sports car.

Hundreds of modified EVs from not only Tesla, but Rivian, Lucid, Porsche, Ford, and more filled the front lawn of San Luis Obispo’s gorgeous Madonna Inn estate, along with vendors, influencers and public speakers surrounding everything Tesla and EV.

Aftermarket parts ranging from weekend camping gear to full, high-performance drive units and swap kits could be found among vendor displays at the show portion of the event, often with highly modified EVs showing the products at work. Standouts included AEM Electronics’ three EV-converted vehicles and display of essential EV-conversion/upgrade electronics and hardware; Dinan suspension and wheel upgrades; Unplugged Performance’s race-winning Pikes Peak Hillclimb and time-attack Model S and Model 3; and more camping and off-road support than we can recall seeing anywhere other than a truck/off-road show.

A dedicated Tesla owners’ car show rounded out the main area of festivities, showcasing the current trends in EV show-n-shine modification, incorporating tactics from other areas of automotive enthusiasm from low-riders to high performance.

But, if you ask us, the real excitement took place at the exclusive HHVE performance driving experience at the nearby Santa Margarita Ranch Airport. Here, EV owners got their fill of side-by-side 1/8th-mile drag racing, an autocross-style slalom, speed and braking challenge, and plenty of commiserating with other high-performance EV junkies in the paddock and staging area.

Helmets, timing and safety instruction was provided by Simpson, and with a bit of patience, the “no experience required” opportunity provided by the High Voltage crew allowed drivers to arrive as novices, and leave with hours of high-performance driving experience under their belts.

Remaining undefeated throughout drag racing battles was Tim Hrastinski’s no. 50 red Tesla Model S Plaid, while timed slalom/speed/braking runs were dominated by Jon Bickford and his all-wheel-drive Model 3 dual-motor — not a surprising outcome, considering the sheer power of both cars and Jon’s extensive road-racing and autocross experience, which includes nationwide Ultimate Street Car Challenge competition.

The popularity and widespread adoption of EVs is only set to grow in the coming years. With the rogue spirit of Tesla and the competition of its rivals in the marketplace — not to mention the solemn vow of performance aftermarket authorities like Holley to make owning and driving any vehicle even better — the future is looking bright.

Follow and stay with us for all the latest in the emerging EV market and aftermarket, and look for more Holley High Voltage Experience events to come.