NASCAR announces electric race car prototype

With a panel of experts present, NASCAR announced a partnership with ABB, unveiling an electric car prototype during the Chicago Street Race weekend. 

According to NASCAR, ABB is a key partner of the NASCAR Impact program. The most important part of the program is reducing NASCAR's carbon footprint to net zero by 2035 as well as trying to source 100% renewable energy at NASCAR's buildings and tracks by 2028. 

The car itself is reminiscent of the Next-Gen car, while also featuring a rear wing that calls back to the days of the Car of Tomorrow. Rather than a growling engine under the hood, the car features electrical components. 

With the car only being a prototype, there are no major plans for an electric series or car in the near future. However, unveiling a prototype is key in advancing NASCAR toward a future where EV Racing will likely become the norm, rather than an outlier. 

According to NASCAR senior vice president John Probst, the car is capable of producing the equivalent of 1,300 horsepower.

An electric NASCAR series may not be in the near future for NASCAR, but at least incorporating electric elements — even a hybrid engine similar to IndyCar — is essential to the sport's survival as the world's vehicles become increasingly electric. 

The prototype car will make laps at the Chicago Street circuit around 8 a.m. ET on Sunday morning. The NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165 will go green shortly after 4:30 p.m. ET, with coverage on NBC. 

All quotations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.