When you think of NASCAR, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Is it loud, V8-powered internal combustion engines with the smell of burning gasoline and rubber around a racetrack? You’re not the only one. But at the weekend in Chicago, NASCAR unveiled something truly different: an all-electric SUV that has twice the horsepower in comparison to the current Next-Gen cars. For a sport known for adhering to tradition, the possibility that it will even embrace technology tells us just how far electric vehicles have come.

While the car unveiled in Chicago is just a prototype, albeit a fully drivable one, it allowed NASCAR to gauge fan interest in EVs as they look to reduce their carbon footprint in the future. The move was praised by NASCAR veteran David Regan, who commended the sanctioning body for gearing towards a sustainable future.

NASCAR sets its sights on a sustainable future

Despite NASCAR being committed to the historic role internal combustion engines have played in racing, they are also looking to reduce its carbon footprint across core operations to zero by 2035, through electrification and innovative solutions. Built by NASCAR engineers, the brandless EV was developed in collaboration with its three auto manufacturing partners, Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota. The prototype is capable of churning out 1,340 horsepower, twice the amount that is currently generated by Next Gen internal combustion engines, and can produce 1,000 kW at peak power with its three electric motors.

Speaking to SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, part-time Cup Series driver David Ragan said, “NASCAR has been very upfront from the get-go, this is a car that we have designed and built to replace the current Cup Series car or to start a new series. We don’t know what the future may hold for NASCAR. I think they really like the Next-Gen race car that we have right now for the foreseeable future.

“That’s what these Cup teams are going to continue running. I do applaud NASCAR for thinking into the future and trying to be proactive instead of reactive. I think that it was really neat that NASCAR together with the manufacturers said ‘Look what’s the next 5-10 years look like?’ And certainly, a fully electric vehicle is one of them. I’ve heard John Probst talk about exploring some hydrogen-powered race cars. Obviously, the hypertechnology is something that we have talked about in the garage for a number of years.”

As things stand, the car already has a sponsor in ABB, a global leader in electrification and automation. The track-tested EV stock car has three STARD UHP 6-Phase motors (one in front, two at the back), that are responsible for supplying power to all four Goodyear Racing Eagle tires. The car is also equipped with a 78-kWh liquid-cooled battery, and regenerative braking helps the car convert kinetic energy into power, which would go a long way in improving NASCAR’s short track package as well as making road course racing more entertaining.

Currently, NASCAR’s stock cars run on 85% fuel and 15% ethanol, but the sport is planning to introduce more sustainable racing fuel that can also be used in V8 engines by 2028. Fans of the sport are known to be stubborn, especially when it comes to their beloved stock cars, which is why NASCAR has made it clear that gasoline-burning race cars are not in any immediate danger. However, the sanctioning body is also hoping that once fans see how fast and powerful electric vehicles can be, even the most ardent anti-EV fans will drop their objections.

However, there is still a lot of work to be done. As things stand, the $1.5 million prototype was driven by David Ragan, who said that the fastest lap in Martinsville was “two-tenths of a second slower” than a Next-Gen car. Despite having twice the acceleration, the weight of the prototype slowed Ragan down during turns. Rumors have been circulating that NASCAR will introduce hybrids in the next few years, or it could simply go the Formula E route and have an exclusive series just for electric power vehicles.

John Probst refuses to rule out an EV-based NASCAR series

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The idea behind NASCAR was to race with cars that were similar to what Americans drove on the roads. However, modern NASCAR cars bear little resemblance to the Toyotas, Fords, and Mustangs that consumers can buy. The EV prototype built by engineers focused on reconnecting the vehicles fans drive, which are increasingly SUVs. Apart from the sustainability reasons, Americans are increasingly buying electric vehicles, which means an EV-based NASCAR series could help rebuild the connection between fans and drivers.

Refusing to rule out the possibility of an all-electric NASCAR series, vice president John Probst said, “I wouldn’t sit here today and say we’ll never do a series. I’m just saying that right now. I don’t want to create the expectation that the series is going to be announced for next year. That’s not the case. We’re not saying no to it either. But I just think it’s an opportunity for us to do something that is meaningful in the sense that we’re developing new technology for our car [and then] judge the feedback from our fans. At the end of the day, that’s all we measure ourselves by ultimately.”

Whether NASCAR shifts towards a hybrid era or ventures into a radical all-electric format, it would be wise to introduce changes gradually. As things stand, the sport has no plans to replace its gasoline-guzzling stock cars, which means the $1.5 million prototype will remain in the development stages, at least until NASCAR deems it to be a significant upgrade over what they already have.

However, one thing is undeniable: motorsport is headed toward a more sustainable future; it’s only a matter of time before fans will embrace it. What are your thoughts about NASCAR’s electric-powered SUV? Let us know in the comments!