In a landmark announcement today, NASCAR and ABB, a global leader in electrification and automation, have joined forces through the ABB NASCAR Electrification Innovation Partnership. This collaboration was highlighted by the reveal of a cutting-edge electric vehicle (EV) prototype at the Chicago Street Race. ABB has also become the first Official Partner of NASCAR IMPACT, the sanctioning body’s platform dedicated to strengthening communities and contributing to a healthier planet. Together, they aim to propel NASCAR’s sustainability ambitions forward, focusing on electrification.
“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 collaboration between NASCAR, ABB in the United States, and the NASCAR industry aims to push the boundaries of electrification technology, from EV racing to long-haul transportation to facility operations.”
A Partnership for a Sustainable Future
As part of this pioneering partnership, ABB in the United States will assist NASCAR in achieving public sustainability targets related to electrification and electric vehicle charging. While NASCAR honors the historic role of the combustion engine in racing, it is equally committed to decarbonizing its operations. The organization aims to reduce its carbon footprint to zero across its core operations by 2035 through electrification and innovative solutions.
“There could not be a more optimal moment to announce our first IMPACT partner than alongside the debut of the ABB NASCAR EV Prototype at the Chicago Street Race,” stated Eric Nyquist, NASCAR Senior Vice President and Chief IMPACT Officer. “ABB is an industry leader and will significantly contribute to our efforts to decarbonize our operations as we strive to achieve net-zero operating emissions over the next decade.”
The ABB NASCAR EV Prototype: A Leap into the Future
The ABB NASCAR EV Prototype represents the latest innovation from the NASCAR Research and Development Center team, which recently executed the largest overhaul of the NASCAR Cup Series car in the sport’s 75-year history. The Next Gen car, which debuted in 2022, marked a major modernization of the vehicle’s components, reinforcing NASCAR’s commitment to ensuring its race cars closely resemble production cars on the street.
Developed in collaboration with NASCAR’s OEM partners—Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota—the prototype was built by the NASCAR engineers responsible for the Next Gen car and the Garage 56 entry into the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This joint effort ensured a well-rounded design and incorporation of key elements from each manufacturer.
Specifications and Performance
The track-tested, electrified stock car is equipped with three STARD UHP 6-Phase motors (one front, two rear) that power all four specially designed Goodyear Racing Eagle tires. The car is powered by a 78-kWh liquid-cooled battery, and its tunable powertrain can produce up to 1,000 kW at peak power. Regenerative braking technology converts kinetic energy into power, making the car particularly effective for road courses and short oval tracks.
This all-wheel-drive vehicle features a generic Crossover Utility Vehicle (CUV) body constructed from sustainable flax-based composite. It shares many similarities with both the Next Gen and Garage 56 cars. The body sits on a modified Next Gen chassis, and the steering, suspension, brakes, and wheels are derived from the NASCAR Cup Series car.
A Bold Step Towards Electrification
The introduction of the ABB NASCAR EV Prototype is a significant step towards NASCAR’s electrification goals and showcases the potential of EV technology in the realm of motorsports. By partnering with ABB, NASCAR is not only advancing its sustainability mission but also setting the stage for a new era of racing that embraces the power of electrification.
Stay tuned to RacingJunk.com for more updates on this groundbreaking partnership and the future of electric racing in NASCAR.
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