unveiled its first electric race car prototype this weekend at the Chicago Street Race. The $1.5 million electric crossover ) was developed in partnership with ABB, Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota to draw attention to sustainability efforts under the NASCAR Impact program and showcase what electric vehicles are capable of. That doesn't mean NASCAR is moving away from gas-powered race cars just yet, but it's trying to “gauge fan interest in electric racing,” the people involved with the initiative said. Associated.
NASCAR Chief Sustainability Officer Riley Nelson said: AP that the series and its partners “want to represent electric vehicles, and electrification more broadly, in racing as something cool, fun and accessible.” The prototype, which has been driven by NASCAR driver David Ragan, has three 6-phase STARD UHP motors, one in the front and two in the rear. All of this is powered by a 78 kWh liquid-cooled battery. According to NASCAR, “its adjustable powertrain can generate 1,000 kW at peak power.” It is built on a modified Next Gen chassis.
NASCAR’s sustainability plans include adding electric vehicle charging stations and switching to 100 percent renewable energy at its racetracks by 2028. By 2035, it aims to achieve net-zero operating emissions.
