NASCAR Unveils EV Prototype At Chicago Street Race In Partnership with ABB

In the world of motorsport racing, NASCAR has boldly stepped into its electric future by revealing an electric vehicle (EV) prototype at the Chicago Street Race after a new partnership with ABB.

Despite not being aimed to replace traditional fuel-burning V8 racecars, the ABB NASCAR EV Prototype demonstrates NASCAR’s sustainability goals for exploring alternative energy sources in motorsports. Interestingly, the prototype presents a striking design similar to a performance crossover, departing from the conventional stock car appearance.

Powered by three electric motors one in the front and two in the rear, the ABB NASCAR EV Prototype arrives with a 78-kWh liquid-cooled battery capable of generating 1,000 kW at peak power according to NASCAR. Built on a modified version of NASCAR’s Next Gen chassis introduced in 2022, the prototype was developed in collaboration with Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota.

Ralph Donati, ABB Executive Vice President, expressed the goal of this partnership with NASCAR stating, “The objective of the collaboration between NASCAR, ABB in the United States and the NASCAR industry is to push the boundaries of electrification technology, from EV racing to long-haul transportation to facility operations.”

NASCAR driver David Ragan, who tested the $1.5 million prototype at Martinsville Speedway, reported that his fastest lap was only “two-tenths of a second slower” than a typical racer, despite the EV’s increased weight affecting cornering speeds according to The Associated Press. As a result, this shows the prototype’s ability to keep up with other NASCAR race vehicles. 

Moreover, the reveal of the EV prototype coincides with NASCAR’s announcement of the ABB NASCAR Electrification Innovation Partnership. Through this partnership, it aims to advance NASCAR’s strategic sustainability ambitions with ABB becoming the first Official Partner of NASCAR Impact.

In addition, ABB will assist NASCAR in achieving its public sustainability targets including the ambitious goal of cutting its carbon footprint to zero across core operations by 2035. Notably with NASCAR being the latest to add EVs into its racetracks in the motorsport realm, the industry will get a chance to observe EV racing technology compared to the gas-powered race vehicles.

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As the organization explores the possibilities of high-performance EV racing surrounding its brand with the ABB NASCAR EV Prototype, the NASCAR Cup Series continues with the Chicago Street Race. With this in mind, fans and industry observers alike will be watching closely to see how this partnership shapes the country’s most popular form of motorsport.

Want to learn more about EV? Thinking of buying an EV? Head over to EV.com and discover more.