By Jeffrey Hrunka - Motorsports Today Contributor
Electric vehicles are the new fad in the automotive industry. Numerous automakers have adapted or discontinued certain vehicles to incorporate more electrical elements. Many famous car brands have switched their iconic vehicles to hybrid or electric engines, causing controversy among automotive enthusiasts. This dispute has begun to find its way into motorsports.
IndyCar and NASCAR have been at the forefront of this change. On July 5-7, these changes were displayed at both teams' respective race events during the weekend to show fans what the future of motorsport will look like.
What's Happening Now?
The Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course was the venue where IndyCar debuted its hybrid era. A collaborative initiative between IndyCar, Honda and Chevrolet set the stage for a new hybrid unit for the series. The goal of the new powerplant unit is to increase passing with their new electronic regeneration system. It provides 120 additional horsepower to the unit for a total of 800+ horsepower.
The package is part of the sports' effort to be more sustainable without detracting from their racing product. This is accomplished through renewable diesel used in the teams’ transporters, alternate tires with green sidewalls made from guayule rubber and Shell’s 100% Renewable Race Fuel. With these changes, the gap between production cars and IndyCar is getting closer to one another.
“I think relevancy to the road is important,” said NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Parker Kligerman. “Consumers are choosing hybrid; they are choosing electric; choosing gasoline-powered and it's an assortment. It’s a really cool place for racing to be because we are the test bed for that.”
NASCAR has started this process by debuting their ABB NASCAR EV prototype. It was made to demonstrate what the future of stock car racing could look like. The prototype exhibits over 1300 horsepower, has regenerative braking, and three STARD UHP 6-Phase motors pushing power to all four specifically designed Goodyear tires (NASCAR). These changes make the car ideal for short-track and road-course racing.
David Ragan, a two-time NASCAR Cup Series winner, has tested the vehicle at multiple tracks, most notably at Martinsville Speedway. Through those tests, he discovered that the quietness of the electric battery, combined with the track's heavy braking, allows drivers to hear rather than feel what is going on with the car. This presents a whole new challenge drivers have to overcome if the sport were ever to go electric. However, it does not seem to be happening anytime soon, as the sport has no plans to create an EV series.
How does this Impact the Future of Motorsports?
Although IndyCar has progressed toward long-term sustainability, NASCAR has turned down any talks of a future EV series. The impact of adding an all-electric series is beneficial for NASCAR, as it may sway manufacturers into joining the sport in the future.
“I think electric racing has a place in time,” Kligerman said. “I believe it will be something with motorsports as a whole.”
The driving force behind Audi joining Formula 1 in 2026 was the series’ goal of a Net Zero Carbon output by 2030. The FIA's new regulations to increase battery power and move to 100% sustainable fuels execute this goal, which is built upon F1’s existing hybrid power unit. NASCAR needs to invest in its ABB EV prototype and make a series. It is the best way to influence manufacturers to join a sport that has been stuck at three manufacturers for a decade.
NASCAR can use an EV series as a source of income and entertainment for fans while the three national series are off for the winter. It can be a testing ground for future street courses and short-track venues that NASCAR is considering adding to the schedule. With the innovation and sustainability of the ABB NASCAR EV prototype, the possibilities for what can be achieved with it are endless.
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