At the 2024 NASCAR Chicago Street Race, two leaders in their respective fields—electric vehicle technologies and auto racing—unveiled the ABB NASCAR Electrification Innovation Partnership and introduced a new EV prototype.
“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,” stated Ralph Donati, ABB Executive Vice-President.
As part of the partnership, ABB will assist the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing in achieving its public sustainability goals related to electrification and EV charging.
NASCAR affirmed its commitment to the historical significance of the combustion engine in racing but emphasised its pursuit of zero operating emissions by 2035 through electrification and innovative solutions, facilitated by NASCAR Impact, where ABB serves as a founding partner.
The new ABB NASCAR EV prototype marks the latest achievement from NASCAR’s research & development team, following the largest overhaul of the NASCAR Cup Series car in its 75-year history. Developed in collaboration with NASCAR’s OEM partners Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota, the prototype was constructed by the same engineers responsible for the Next Gen car and Garage 56 entry into the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Equipped with three STARD UHP 6-phase motors (one front, two rear) powering specially designed Goodyear Racing Eagle tires, the electrified stock car features a 78-kWh liquid-cooled battery. Its tunable powertrain can generate up to 1000 kW peak power, with regenerative braking converting kinetic energy into power ideal for road courses and short oval tracks.
The all-wheel-drive vehicle sports a crossover utility vehicle body crafted from flax-based composite material. Sharing similarities with the Next Gen and Garage 56 cars, it sits on a modified Next Gen chassis, with its steering, suspension, brakes, and wheels derived from the NASCAR Cup Series car.
“While there are no immediate plans for a new racing series, this partnership will allow ABB and NASCAR to explore high-performance electric racing and strategically advance electrification within the sport, encompassing race vehicles, infrastructure, and energy education,” explained Elizabeth Lubben, Electrification Communications Leader at ABB U.S.
