NASCAR and Electric Cars
NASCAR racing – big, heavy, powerful, V8-powered race cars ripping around ovals and road courses at 200 mph – is often viewed as pretty old-school. Fans love it that way: the racing is incredibly competitive, exciting, combative, and loud. So much so that a NASCAR event is about the last place you’d expect to see an electric car – especially on the track. But, at the recent Chicago Street Race, that’s exactly what happened.
It's just the latest development in the electrification of motorsports. In 2024, EVs were the top performers at the legendary Pikes Peak International Hillclimb, and EVs have also regularly been fastest at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. All-EV racing series like Formula E and Extreme E are also growing rapidly.
NASCAR EV Prototype
In Chicago, NASCAR and ABB, a global electrification and automation company, unveiled a new EV race car prototype, which turned some demonstration laps and burned some rubber in front of the gathered crowds. While its presence was polarizing, to say the least, the EV race car is an indication that NASCAR is thinking about the future, and that electric cars might be part of that future.
The race car that NASCAR demonstrated at Chicago was not only built in partnership with ABB, but with the race series’ OEM partners, as well. Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota were involved in its development, and the car itself was built by the same NASCAR engineers who built the Next Gen race car, as well as the NASCAR “Garage 56” prototype that contested the 24 hours of Le Mans. The three manufacturers, NASCAR, and ABB collaborated on the design and technical elements of the vehicle.
Body Made from Sustainable Fibers
Looking a lot like the NASCAR stock cars we already know and love, the electrified prototype sits on a modified version of the current NASCAR Next Gen chassis. The steering, suspension, brakes, and wheels are all closely related to the NASCAR Cup Series cars that mix it up every race weekend.
Interestingly, it has a body that mixes in design cues from crossover SUVs that, instead of steel, fiberglass, or carbon fiber, is actually made of a sustainable flax-based composite – which is more environmentally friendly to produce as well as easier to recycle.
Three Motors, All-Wheel Drive and 1,340 Horsepower
Power comes from three ultra-high performance STARD six-phase motors – one motor on the front axle and two motors on the rear axle, meaning that this prototype electric stock car has all-wheel drive, improving traction and cornering through the four specially-designed Goodyear Racing Eagle tires. The motors are powered by a liquid-cooled 78-kWh battery, which is about the same size as you’ll find in a Hyundai Ioniq 5 or a Toyota bZ4X. At full power, the system produces 1,000 kW – or about 1,340 hp, a huge jump compared to the gasoline V8s in the current stock cars. Moreover, regenerative braking can convert kinetic energy back into electricity, charging the battery and making the car ideal for road courses and short oval tracks.
NASCAR isn’t saying if and when we will see electric, or electrified race cars as a regular part of its programming. It did, however, announce a new program called NASCAR Impact which is focused on strengthening the communities in which the series races, while also contributing to a healthier planet. ABB is the first official partner of the NASCAR Impact program. ABB will help NASCAR achieve its public sustainability targets around electrification and electric vehicle charging.
NASCAR’s Sustainability Goals
At the core of NASCAR’s sustainability plans is a commitment to reduce its carbon footprint to zero across its core operations by 2035. Transitioning its operations from burning fossil fuels to electricity is a critical element of the series’ strategy. The series has also committed to sourcing 100 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2028, expanding its waste diversion efforts, and providing EV charging on-site at events.
