MOTORSPORT: First electric NASCAR revealed

NASCAR is the latest motorsport category to make a step towards electrification with the launch of its long-awaited EV prototype.

The SUV-style race vehicle results from an industry collaboration between ABB, the NASCAR Research and Development Centre, plus OEM partners Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota.

Interestingly, the vehicle features a sustainably produced composite body made from linseed, while under its skin the package is driven by three STARD UHP six-phase motors, one located on the front axle and two on the rear.

All told, the four-wheel system has a peak power output of 1000kW supplied by a 78kWh liquid-cooled battery pack – a marked step up from the 560kW produced by the current 5.8-litre V8s.

Tying it to the current NASCAR Cup Series breed, the prototype is based on the latest-generation chassis, steering, suspension and brakes – an architecture the governing body broadly based on Supercars’ base design.

While not necessarily a direct replacement for any of the current NASCAR series, the EV platform would be well suited for use on short oval tracks and road courses, where regenerative braking would provide important mid-race power top-ups.

The development work undertaken by NASCAR could conceivably make a switch to battery-electric power easier for other tin-top race categories.

When announced in 2020, Supercars’ Gen3 platform was designed to be hybrid-ready, with space left in the vehicle to include additional systems, as dictated by manufacturer input.

At the heart of the design is the six-speed Xtrac transaxle – a component introduced in 2019 – that can be converted to accept a hybrid drive system.

Xtrac is highly credentialed in modifying its transmissions to a range of drive types. A prime example came last weekend, when Indycar successfully debuted its hybrid unit, which was incorporated into the bell housing attached to the category-spec Xtrac transaxle.

One constraining factor for any possible Supercars powertrain change is cost, given the Gen3 racers are notably almost double the price of the previous-generation Mustangs and Commodores.

However, a complicating factor for the category in the medium term is the discontinuation of the Chevrolet Camaro, which will require the General Motors-aligned teams to source an alternate donor vehicle.

EVs are increasingly making their presence felt in motorsport around the world as car-makers continue to use racing to develop and showcase the capability of their battery-electric technologies.

Ford, for instance, recently claimed the 102nd running of the Pikes Peak International Hillclimb in Colorado with its highly-modified F-150 Lightning Supertruck, which is fitted with motors similar to those found in the NASCAR EV prototype.

Also from the Ford stable, the SuperVan 4.2 this year completed a tour of major events in Australia, in the process setting an unofficial Bathurst tin-top lap record of 1:56.3247.

Elsewhere, Audi claimed victory in the gruelling 2024 Dakar Rally with its all-electric RS Q e-tron prototype, piloted by rally legend Carlos Sainz.

Pure EV race series have also grown in stature across various disciplines.

The open-wheel Formula E series began in 2014 and in 2022 the category introduced its third-generation rules package, which allows 350kW of power in qualifying conditions and up to 600kW of energy recovery under braking.

The two-wheeled MotoGP-supporting Moto E class has raced since 2019, while electric drive has been a mainstay of international Rallycross competition over the past couple of seasons.

At a grassroots level in Australia, the university-based Formula SAE-A has seen a growing number of entries designed around battery-electric drivelines.

Extreme E, an all-electric off-road SUV racing category, is meantime pivoting away from battery-electric power to hydrogen-fuelled propulsion in 2025, when the category will be rebranded as Extreme H.

Meanwhile, the incoming 2026 Formula 1 regulations will emphasise improved battery performance, with upgraded regenerative braking tech expected to produce three times the power of the current systems.

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