NASCAR Selects ABB as Official Electrification Innovation Partner and Reveals EV Prototype
July 9, 2024
NASCAR, the American stock car racing sanctioning body, has selected ABB as its official Electrification Innovation Partner to explore high-performance electric racing and create strategic electrification opportunities, including in its office, track, racing competition, and long-haul transportation operations.
ABB also became a founding partner of NASCAR IMPACT, focusing on driving sustainability across the sport to reduce NASCAR's carbon operating footprint to zero by 2035.
"ABB is a technology leader in electrification and automation, and we help customers globally to optimize, electrify, and decarbonize their operations," said Ralph Donati, ABB EVP. "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."
While NASCAR is committed to the historic role of the combustion engine in racing, it is simultaneously focused on achieving public sustainability targets around electrification and EV charging through innovative solutions. To promote this, NASCAR recently debuted its EV prototype at the 2024 NSCAR Chicago Street Race.
The ABB NASCAR EV Prototype is one of the latest technologies to come from the NASCAR Research and Development Center team and was developed in partnership with NASCAR OEM partners, such as Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota.
The track-tested, electrified stock car has three STARD UHP 6-Phase motors that supply power directly to all four specially designed Goodyear Racing Eagle tires. Featuring a 78 kWh liquid-cooled battery, the tunable powertrain can produce 1,000 kW at peak power, and a regenerative braking system converts kinetic energy into additional power that racers can use on the track.
Supporting this launch and all future electrification endeavors is the NASCAR IMPACT program - an umbrella platform launched to bring about sustainability, community engagement, and similar social initiatives.
Through this program, ABB will assist NASCAR in achieving its long-term operating emissions goals. This includes sourcing 100% renewable electricity at owned racetracks and facilities by 2028, expanding waste diversion efforts, and offering on-site EV charging stations. ABB will provide equipment and support to electrify these and other key elements of NASCAR's operational business.
