How to modify an electric car

Another Muxsan product is the firm's updated battery charger. The Leaf has an outdated CHAdeMO charger but Muxsan's replacement conforms to the popular CCS standard that enables faster charging at speeds up to 160kW.

The CCS charge port replaces the car's AC Type 1 or 2 port and Muxsan supplies an adapter so you can continue to use your old cables. However, the CCS upgrade will only deliver faster charging in combination with one of Muxsan's range extending batteries. What's more, for faster charging these same batteries need to be equipped with a new thermal management system that Muxsan admits won't be available until next year.  

Another upgrade open to Leaf owners is replacing their existing battery with a larger used one. Sourced from crashed cars, the 40kWh and 60kWh batteries cost around £8500 but according to Matt Cleevely, who has supplied and fitted them, customers consider them to be a cost-effective way of refreshing their Leafs. However, he says they are becoming harder to find and more expensive because they're being bought up by people wanting them for solar energy storage.

Away from batteries and turning to convenience upgrades, Matt fits automatic 'frunk' opening on Teslas. "It's controlled by an app on the owner's phone and is useful when your arms are full of shopping," he says. The application is made by Hannshow, a company based in China whose other Tesla upgrades include a soft-close door function and additional screens. 

Meanwhile, upgraded brake and suspension systems are becoming popular with EV owners keen to improve their cars' performance. "We focus on mechanical upgrades because Teslas have more than enough power," says John Chambers, founder of Tevo Solutions based in Camberley, Surrey. "Brakes, suspension and wheels are Tesla weak spots but it doesn't take much to improve them." 

Especially for trackday drivers, he recommends upgrading the brakes with AP Racing calipers, pads and discs and, for improved pedal feel, braided lines. "They're great on the track but improve high-speed motorway braking, too," says John. If your budget won't stretch to the full brake system, he can supply a front set of upgraded pads only for £215. For a further £96 you can have front and rear braided brake lines and, for £30, uprated brake fluid. Or how about a special bracket for the brake master cylinder that stops it flexing? Yours for £234. 

Turning to the Tesla's suspension system, which John describes as "only adequate", Tevo offers two kits by Ohlins and Bilstein, comprising dampers, springs, rollbars and bushes. John claims they achieve a good compromise between handling and steering sharpness, and a supple ride. A full suspension upgrade costs up to £5000. If that's beyond your budget you can always just fit upgraded suspension bushes. Tevo is working with Powerflex to develop uprated ones for Teslas that can tolerate the cars' weight over a longer period than the standard items. 

Of course, all these suspension and brake improvements are hidden from view; not so the upgraded alloys wheels Tevo can also supply. The fully forged items look good but more important, says John, is that they resist cracking and bending in potholes better than the standard, flow-forged items. In combination with Tevo's hand-laid carbonfibre splitters and spoilers, proven to reduce lap times, your Tesla will look like no other.