NASCAR and ABB, a global leader in electrification and automation, announced today the ABB NASCAR Electrification Innovation Partnership and revealed a new EV prototype at the Chicago Street Race. ABB becomes the first Official Partner of NASCAR Impact, the sanctioning body’s platform driving NASCAR’s mission to strengthen its communities and contribute to a healthier planet, and together will work to advance NASCAR’s strategic sustainability ambitions across electrification.
“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 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.”
A lot of NASCAR fans online are mad about this news because of a slippery slope argument that ends in NASCAR becoming completely electrified and the traditional V8s going silent.
I, on the other hand, am disappointed about this news because I’m underwhelmed. When this car leaked ages ago, I had visions of a new NASCAR electric championship that raced on short tracks and road courses. With NASCAR saying there are no immediate plans to actually race their EV prototype, it feels like a glorified show car. As a day one Formula E fan, I’m a proponent of alternative power sources in motorsports, but NASCAR’s attempt feels like little more than checking a box. Hopefully, this announcement leads to plans to race electric vehicles in the future, but I’m not going to get my hopes up.
Michael Miller 