Daytona 500: ABB and NASCAR’s Electric Vehicle
Electric is the answer to a lot of sustainability problems – it allows for renewable sources to take the place of fossil fuels.
NASCAR probably isn’t a place you’d expect to find electric innovation, but at the 2025 Daytona 500 ABB and NASCAR’s EV prototype debuted as a pace car.
Morten Wierod, CEO at ABB, says: “We are very proud to be working with NASCAR to decarbonise its operations as it seeks to achieve net zero operating emissions by 2035.
“With our electrification and automation solutions, we will help NASCAR outrun – leaner and cleaner.”
ABB and NASCAR’s EV prototype
While it may look like the other cars on track on the outside, this EV is very different on the inside.
With more than 1300 horsepower, it has no problem keeping up with the internal combustion engines.
Its chassis is a modified version of those seen on other racecars to allow for batteries to be loaded from the bottom.
“ABB is a technology leader in electrification and automation, and we help customers globally to optimise, electrify and decarbonise 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.”
NASCAR’s partnership with ABB
The ABB NASCAR Electrification Innovation Partnership was formed in 2024 to explore high-performance electric racing and create strategic opportunities for electrification in the sport.
ABB also became a founding member of NASCAR IMPACT, a platform to push sustainability initiatives across the sport.
The partnership was announced at the 2024 NASCAR Chicago Street Race where the companies also unveiled the new EV prototype.
“There could not be a more optimal moment in time to announce our first IMPACT partner than in tandem with the debut of our prototype electric vehicle at the Chicago Street Race,” said Eric Nyquist, NASCAR Senior Vice President and Chief IMPACT Officer.
“ABB is an industry leader and will help in efforts to decarbonise our operations as we pursue achieving net-zero operating emissions over the next decade.”
What is NASCAR IMPACT?
The core of NASCAR IMPACT is its plan to reduce its own carbon footprint across its core operations by 2035.
It has made commitments to move operations from burning fuel to electric as part of this.
NASCAR’s annual carbon measurement informed its near-term sustainability priorities including sourcing 100% renewable energy at its owned racetracks and facilities by 2028.
It will also expand its waste diversion efforts and install on-site EV charging stations.
ABB is supporting NASCAR with these goals through providing guidance, equipment and support in electrifying key elements of its operational business.
NASCAR isn’t ABB’s first venture into racing – it has been title partner of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship since 2018.
Morten says: “It might be a while before EVs become a fixture on the NASCAR circuit.
"But when they do, I have no doubt that they’ll be crossing the finish line first.”
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