NASCAR's proposed electric race car aims to be sustainable in more ways than just its powertrain.
The prototype electric race car, which was first shown in July, features a body made from natural-fiber-reinforced plastic that uses flax fibers in its construction.
The company responsible for the body is Switzerland's Bcomp, which has released photos of the prototype with its body left bare.
Bcomp specializes in sustainable lightweight materials primarily based on flax, a plant that requires very little water and nutrients to grow and whose fibers can be collected without the use of chemicals.
NASCAR electric race car prototype
NASCAR electric race car prototype
Bcomp already supplies its products both in and outside the auto industry. Porsche was an early adopter of Bcomp's natural-fiber-reinforced plastic, having used it since 2019 on some of its race cars, including the 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport MR.
For NASCAR's prototype electric race car, the body is wrapped around a modified Next Gen chassis, with steering, suspension, wheels, and brakes all derived from the current NASCAR Cup Series car.
The powertrain consists of a 78-kwh battery feeding a trio of electric motors delivering a combined 1,341 hp. While such a configuration wouldn't last the length of a conventional race, a unique format using shorter track and races lasting 30-35 minutes would be possible, according to Pat DiMarco, Ford Performance’s manager of NASCAR and analytics.
NASCAR has only built the one prototype, and for now there are no solid plans to launch an electric series. However, there are reports a NASCAR electric series is already in the planning stages, though the launch may be some time away. NASCAR said its prototype only serves to provide a glimpse of what's possible “years down the road.”
