2024 NASCAR EV Prototype Crossover: A New Era for NASCAR

From the start of the Next Gen NASCAR Cup racecar—now known as the Gen 7 Cup car—the idea of moving beyond its roaring V-8 roots has been the eventual plan of America’s premier racing series. What was once rumored just two years ago is starting to shape up into reality with the unveiling of the NASCAR EV Prototype. Many of those speculative features are coming to fruition, thanks to the powertrain-agnostic design of the Gen 7 car.

Initially, the expectation was that we’d see these EVs by late 2023 and at the 2024 Bush Light Clash. Although there was a delay, we now have the first of what will no doubt be a series of prototypes, just as we witnessed with the development of the Gen 7 car. The goals for this prototype will likely focus on achieving similar speeds to the current car while lasting for at least a 30-minute run in this first phase. Given the advancements in Formula E, these objectives should be attainable.

Flax Composite Body

The EV prototype is built in partnership with ABB, and includes a comprehensive carbon reduction initiative for the series called NASCAR IMPACT. Focusing on the vehicle itself, the CUV body will be composite, similar to the Gen 7 car, but made from an alternative: a flax-based fiber composite. This material serves as a sustainable substitute for carbon fiber, with only a minor weight disadvantage, as it’s derived from the fibers of the flax plant.

Additionally, the CUV body will feature a distinctive return of the wing—a feature that has not been seen in NASCAR since the Car of Tomorrow era from 2007 to 2010. Though there are lighting features on the prototype, it is unlikely that we will see traditional headlights and brake lights for the NASCAR EV Prototype due to NASCAR’s historical resistance to lights. However, the green light at the base of the windshield might remain to indicate when the EV is powered on.

Powerful Crossovers

Underneath the CUV body lies an unmodified Gen 7 chassis, which includes the steering system, suspension, brakes, and wheels. Notably, the tires feature brand new Goodyear Racing Eagle tires mounted to single-lug wheels. This design is necessary due to the unique features of the EV prototype. The EV will operate as an all-wheel-drive vehicle, similar to high-performance versions of the referenced Ford, Chevrolet, and Toyota EVs. A single motor will drive the front wheels while a pair will drive the rear, forming a tri-motor setup capable of generating up to 1,341 hp, customizable to meet the needs of different tracks and drivers.

The End of ICE in NASCAR?

For those concerned that this might signal the demise of the roaring V-8s currently in the top Cup series or any of NASCAR’s other series, there is no immediate cause for concern. NASCAR has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining V-8s due to their storied history within the series. It is also expected that this prototype will require additional time for development, although testing has occurred prior to this unveiling. The Gen 7 car took four years to finalize as a competition vehicle, so a similar timeline for the EV is anticipated.

While this does not signal the end of V-8s in NASCAR, it may indicate that electrification is on the horizon for the Cup Series, especially with the anticipated introduction of hybrid technologies in IndyCar during the same period.