- NASCAR is contemplating an electrical racing sequence
- A prototype electrical SUV race automotive was revealed in July
- The electrical NASCAR race automotive prototype’s physique panels have been constructed from vegetation
NASCAR shocked attendees at its July Chicago Road Race with an electrical SUV prototype race automotive, however the powertrain and physique type weren’t the prototypes solely uncommon options.
The NASCAR EV Prototype additionally featured bodywork from Swiss agency Bcomp that comes with flax, which Bcomp claims is a sustainable different to the carbon fiber used all through motorsports immediately, with an general carbon footprint 85% smaller with the same stage of stiffness.
NASCAR electrical race automotive prototype (picture by way of Bcomp)
That stiffness is thanks partly to an interior construction impressed by the vein construction of leaves, Bcomp mentioned in a weblog publish. The flax fibers used on this materials—which takes the type of a cloth that may be layered and molded into form like carbon fiber or fiberglass—is grown in Europe with out competing with meals crops, in keeping with the corporate’s web site.
In April 2023 NASCAR dedicated to its first long-term carbon emissions purpose and “the start of a brand new period in sustainability for America’s high motorsport.” That included a purpose to chop its carbon footprint to zero throughout its core operations by 2035.
NASCAR electrical race automotive prototype (picture by way of Bcomp)
Flax-based bodywork may make a small contribution towards that purpose with much less shock than switching from the present race vehicles—which function loud, thirsty V-8 engines—to one thing like the electrical SUV prototype. The prototype has all-wheel drive and three six-phase motors—one in entrance, two in again—probably producing greater than 1,300 hp. A 78-kwh battery pack, together with regenerative braking, make the SUV “very best for highway programs and brief oval tracks,” NASCAR beforehand mentioned.
The SUV physique type of the prototype is sort of an enormous a change as its electrical motors, however is extra consistent with automaker’s present lineups. NASCAR will not be giving a timeline of when it’d introduce electrical race vehicles, but when it did it’s straightforward to think about the prototype being reskinned as a Ford Mustang Mach-E, Chevrolet Blazer EV, or Toyota bZ4X in step with NASCAR’s present follow of racing vehicles branded as ones followers can purchase.