The National Stock Car Racing Association and Swiss multinational ABB have partnered to “push the boundaries of electrification” in the sport and beyond. The first fruit was revealed at the Chicago Street Race: a prototype 1,000 kW electric racing vehicle.
Like Formula 1, NASCAR is closely associated with the roar of powerful engines and burning rubber. But just as electrification has made its entrance into open-wheel racing with Formula E, sustainability is coming to the streets and tracks of another popular motorsport series.
“While NASCAR is committed to the historic role of the combustion engine in racing, it is also committed to decarbonizing its operations and reducing its own carbon footprint to net-zero across its core operations by 2035 through electrification and innovative solutions,” said the press release announcing the first official partner of its Impact program, which is described as “a platform that drives sustainability initiatives across the sport.”
That partner is electrification and automation giant ABB, and the multinational is expected to “play a pivotal role” in issues such as transitioning owned facilities and racetracks to renewable electricity by 2028, as well as installing on-site electric vehicle charging stations and other key sustainability projects.
“The goal of the collaboration between NASCAR, ABB in the US and the NASCAR industry is to push the boundaries of electrification technology, from electric vehicle racing to long-distance transportation and facility operations,” confirmed Ralph Donati of ABB.
The ABB NASCAR EV all-wheel-drive prototype features three electric motors that combine to generate 1,000 kW of peak power, along with a 78 kW battery pack.
ABB/NASCAR
ABB, along with its industrial partners Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota, has also assisted the NASCAR Research and Development Center team in developing a prototype electric race car. The ABB-branded vehicle, which cost about $1.5 million, according to the KeynoteUSA, and was built “to gauge fan interest in electric racing,” has a crossover body made from a flax-based composite mounted on a modified Gen-7 (or Next Gen) Cup chassis.
It features a 6-phase STARD UHP electric motor at the front and two more at the rear, which combine to power all four wheels, wrapped in Goodyear tires. In total, the prototype is reported to be capable of producing 1,000 kW of peak power and draws its energy from a 78 kWh liquid-cooled battery pack.
There’s no mention of range per charge or top speed, but regenerative braking is included and the electric racer is billed as being “ideal for circuits and short oval tracks.” The steering, suspension, brakes and wheels are identical to the current NASCAR race car.
The all-wheel-drive EV prototype made its official debut at the Chicago Street Race over the weekend, although it did not take part in the race. Highlights of the Cup Series action in the windy city can be seen here, while the video below offers a little more on the EV prototype.
Introducing the ABB NASCAR EV prototype
Sources: NASCAR, ABB
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