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NASCAR and ABB unveil EV prototype
NASCAR and ABB, a Swedish technology company in electrification and automation, introduced a new EV (electric vehicle) prototype at the recent Chicago Street Race.
The prototype is the result of a partnership that labels ABB as the official partner of NASCAR Impact, which is the sanctioning body’s platform to drive sustainability and social initiatives. ABB was also a founding partner of NASCAR Impact, which has seen the motorsport make further commitments to moving operations from scope 1 (fuel burned) to scope 2 (electric).
NASCAR also said that it was committed to the historic role of combustion engine in racing, but has pledged to decarbonise its operations and reduce its own carbon footprint across its core operations by 2035.
Bosses have further committed to sourcing 100% renewable electricity at NASCAR-owned race tracks and facilities by 2028 and expanded waste diversion efforts.
Additionally, ABB will help NASCAR achieve public sustainability targets around electrification and EV charging in the US.
The prototype
The ABB NASCAR EV Prototype was developed in collaboration with OEM (original equipment manufacturer) partners including Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota. It was built by the same NASCAR research and development engineers responsible for the Next Gen car – which debuted in 2022 with more modern components – and the Garage 56 entry into the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The track-tested, electrified stock car has three STARD UHP 6-Phase motors (one front, two rear), which supplies power directly to all four specially designed Goodyear Racing Eagle tyres. Anchored by a 78-kWh liquid-cooled battery, the tunable powertrain can produce 1,000 kW at peak power. Regenerative braking converts kinetic energy into power, making the car ideal for road courses and short oval tracks.
“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.”
The All-Wheel Drive car also has a generic Crossover Utility Vehicle (CUV) body made of sustainable flax-based composite.
“ABB is a technology leader in electrification and automation, and we help customers globally to optimise, electrify and decarbonise their operations,” said Ralph Donati, ABB Executive Vice President.
“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.”
Eric Nyquist, NASCAR Senior Vice President and Chief Impact Officer, added: “There could not be a more optimal moment in time to announce our first Impact partner than in tandem with the debut of the ABB NASCAR EV Prototype at the Chicago Street Race.
“ABB is an industry leader and will help in efforts to decarbonise our operations as we pursue achieving net-zero operating emissions over the next decade.”
Image: Sean P. Twomey