NASCAR, the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing, has unveiled its first-ever EV prototype. The crossover utility vehicle-bodied car has a trio of motors, a liquid-cooled battery, and it spits out over 1,300 horsepower.

NASCAR’s EV Prototype Has Big Power

The track-tested EV stock car features three STARD UHP 6-Phase motors: one at the front and two at the rear. You’ll recall that motors of this type were used on the Ford SuperVan 4.2 and F-150 Lightning SuperTruck Pikes Peak International Hill Climb vehicles. For NASCAR’s EV prototype, power is delivered directly to all four specially designed Goodyear Racing Eagle tires. The car is powered by a 78 kWh liquid-cooled battery and boasts a tunable powertrain capable of generating up to 1,000 kW (over 1,300 horsepower) at peak power. Additionally, regenerative braking efficiently converts kinetic energy into power, enhancing its suitability for road courses and short oval tracks.

This all-wheel-drive vehicle has a crossover utility vehicle (CUV) body constructed from sustainable flax-based composite materials. Notably, it shares numerous attributes with both the Next Gen and Garage 56 cars. Specifically, its body is positioned on a modified Next Gen chassis, while its steering, suspension, brakes, and wheels derive directly from the NASCAR Cup Series car.

NASCAR And ABB Partnership

NASCAR’s EV prototype is the result of a partnership with ABB, a global leader in electrification and automation. On July 6, 2024, NASCAR and ABB announced the ABB NASCAR Electrification Innovation Partnership.  ABB has become the inaugural Official Partner of NASCAR Impact. This is the organization’s initiative aimed at enhancing NASCAR’s community engagement and environmental sustainability efforts. Together, the pair will collaborate to propel NASCAR’s strategic sustainability goals forward, focusing particularly on electrification initiatives. As part of the partnership, ABB in the United States will assist NASCAR in reaching public sustainability goals related to electrification and electric vehicle charging. Furthermore, while NASCAR upholds the historic significance of the combustion engine in racing, it is equally dedicated to decarbonizing its operations. By 2035, NASCAR aims to achieve a zero-carbon footprint across its core operations. This will lhappen through the adoption of electrification and innovative solutions.

Pushing The Boundaries Of Electrification Technology

ABB and NASCAR executives weighed in. “ABB is a technology leader in electrification and automation, and we help customers globally to optimize, electrify and decarbonize their operations,” said Ralph Donati, ABB Executive Vice President. “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.” Eric Nyquist, NASCAR Senior Vice President and Chief Impact Officer, says, “There could not be a more optimal moment in time to announce our first Impact partner than in tandem with the debut of the ABB NASCAR EV Prototype at the Chicago Street Race. ABB is an industry leader and will help in efforts to decarbonize our operations as we pursue achieving net-zero operating emissions over the next decade.”

Developed In Partnership With Chevrolet, Ford, And Toyota

The ABB NASCAR EV Prototype is the latest creation from the NASCAR Research & Development Center team. This is the team that recently completed the most extensive overhaul of the NASCAR Cup Series car in the sport’s 75-year history. The introduction of the Next Gen car in 2022 restored the “stock” essence to stock car racing by modernizing most of its components. This initiative underscored NASCAR’s commitment to product relevance, ensuring that its race cars closely mirror production vehicles on the streets.

The new EV prototype was developed in partnership with NASCAR’s OEM partners — Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota. In fact, the same NASCAR engineers who are responsible for the Next Gen car and the Garage 56 entry into the 24 Hours of Le Mans crafted the prototype. Throughout the collaborative process, NASCAR and the OEMs worked closely on the vehicle’s design and various components.

More About NASCAR Impact And ABB

ABB is a founding partner of NASCAR Impact. This comprehensive platform aims to advance sustainability, community engagement, and other social initiatives. Central to NASCAR Impact is the organization’s target to achieve a zero-carbon footprint across its core operations by 2035.

NASCAR has made substantial commitments to sustainable practices throughout its entire operations. Transitioning from scope 1 (direct fuel combustion) to scope 2 (electricity use) is a pivotal component of NASCAR’s sustainability strategy.

Additionally, in addition to its long-term emissions reduction goals, NASCAR’s annual carbon assessments guide immediate sustainability priorities. These include plans to procure 100 percent renewable electricity for its owned racetracks and facilities by 2028. Also, enhancing waste diversion efforts and installing on-site EV charging stations. Furthermore, ABB will play a crucial role in supporting NASCAR’s electrification efforts. This will include providing essential guidance, equipment, and assistance to electrify key operational components.