5 Coolest Electrified Alternative Technologies at SEMA 2023

SEMA is often characterized by big trucks with bigger wheels and even bigger engines. It's certainly not in Texas, but the Lone Star State adage that everything is bigger might as well apply to Vegas, at least during the first week of November. Much like the rest of the automotive industry, SEMA has continued to evolve year after year, primarily following the electric trend.

There are plenty of true EVs to go around for 2023, too. But we got curious about what kind of gas and battery-electric alternatives are being demonstrated on the Sin City Convention Center floor. Encompassing every sect of automotive enthusiasm, these alternative energy technologies are helping keep SEMA as modern as possible.

ALSO CHECK OUT THE COOLEST TRUCKS OF SEMA 2023

1957 Pontiac Chieftan Hybrid-Electric

Electric hot rods aren't anything new, but hybridizing a hot rod could be the perfect solution to making more power and getting more efficiency. At least that's the case with this 1957 Pontiac Chieftan, as it sports an E-charger powertrain.

But what exactly does this mean? Well, it's kind of like supercharging, as it pairs a 50-kW AC motor and 35 lithium-ion battery cells with a conventional LS engine. The electric motor is spun by the engine's power via additional pulleys and a supercharger belt drive while the battery is installed in the trunk.

This pairing of traditional V8 power and a small-capacity battery plus motor yields an additional 150 lb-ft of torque and reduces emissions by 50%. The fuel economy also allegedly increases by 25%, too.

Propane Powered Engine by Origin Engines

This propane-powered engine from Origin Engines reduces a reliance on traditional gasoline. Origin has been expanding its research into running engines on renewable natural gas, natural gas, or liquid petroleum gas.

Specifically, here you see a 6.2-liter example producing 240 horsepower and a healthy 595 lb-ft of torque with help from a supercharger. Believe it or not, that's in the middle displacement side for Origin, as it offers up to 23.9 liters of displacement for its multi-fuel running engines.

In practice, Origin says these engines are best used for heavy-duty pumping applications, natural gas compressors, remote power generators, and other industrial uses. That said, these engines could be ideal for vehicles in particularly remote areas or even military applications.

Cue the inevitable cooking-with-gas jokes!