NASCAR Unveils First Electric Racer Prototype to Highlight Sustainability

NASCAR Unveils First Electric Racer Prototype to Highlight Sustainability
Image credit: Engadget

NASCAR showcased its first prototype electric racer at the Chicago Street Race this weekend. Developed in collaboration with ABB, Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota, the $1.5 million electric crossover aims to highlight sustainability efforts under the NASCAR Impact program and demonstrate the potential of electric vehicles (EVs). This initiative is not a shift away from gasoline-powered race cars but an effort to gauge fan interest in electric racing.

Riley Nelson, NASCAR’s head of sustainability, stated that the series and its partners want to make electric vehicles in racing appear "cool, fun, and accessible." NASCAR driver David Ragan has driven the prototype, which features three STARD UHP 6-Phase motors—one in the front and two in the back—powered by a 78-kWh liquid-cooled battery. This setup, built on a modified Next Gen chassis, can generate 1,000 kW at peak power.

Image credit: AP news

NASCAR’s future sustainability plans include installing EV charging stations and transitioning to 100 percent renewable energy at race tracks by 2028. By 2035, NASCAR aims to achieve net-zero operating emissions.