To become more environmentally friendly, NASCAR has announced a new collaboration to create a prototype electric stock car.
A sport more recognized for its devotion to history is enjoying the technology, which shows how far electric vehicles have progressed, even though the new car is still only a prototype. When one hears the name NASCAR, images of metallic monsters racing around a speedway come to mind, along with the thundering roar of V-8 engines. While it isn’t likely to change anytime soon, NASCAR is continuing to look into new opportunities and monitor the growing electric vehicle market.
Nascar EV prototype collaboration
The electric vehicle was created in collaboration with the electrification business ABB and is an integral part of NASCAR’s campaign to cut emissions to zero by 2035. Through this relationship, NASCAR and ABB will be able to meet some of their sustainability goals.
The OEM partners, ABB, and NASCAR R&D collaborated to create the EV Prototype featuring three motors two in the back and one in front, and a battery that holds 78 kWh. According to NASCAR, the powertrain can produce 1,000 kilowatts, or more than 1,300 horsepower, at maximum capacity that’s nearly twice as much horsepower as the current gasoline-powered race vehicles in NASCAR.
NASCAR electric vehicle makes a standing start on the streets of Chicago.
With its first attempt at developing a battery-electric vehicle, the stock-car giant has not yet revealed any series plans or a firm blueprint for what electrified racing may entail through the eyes of NASCAR. However, the Next-Gen car that competes in the Cup Series entry at the 2023 Le Mans was developed in cooperation with Ford, Chevrolet, and Toyota by the same NASCAR engineers.
It appears to be what one may anticipate from NASCAR in some respects. It has large, vibrant wheels and a wing on the back to assist in maintaining control of the road when traveling at fast speeds. The crossover utility vehicle (CUV) body of the all-wheel drive vehicle is composed of a composite material derived from sustainable flax. It is quite similar to the Next Gen and Garage 56 cars in that the wheels, brakes, steering, and suspension are all taken from the NASCAR Cup Series car, and the body is mounted on a modified Next Gen chassis.
Backlash possibility from fans
According to senior vice president of racing development John Probst, The notion of electric racing will undoubtedly be rejected by some hardcore NASCAR supporters. Because of this, NASCAR wishes to be quite clear that race vehicles that run on gasoline will not go extinct anytime soon.
Even though NASCAR hinted at the possibility of switching to electric vehicles, Kevin Harvick disapproved of this idea.
Oh, we can do anything. But I will tell you this, there is no future for NASCAR electric vehicle racing. If it does not make noise and smell like it’s burning gas, there is no freaking way that people are tuning in. I appreciate the effort, and I get it. But I wouldn’t spend much more money on it.
