It's realistic to expect popular sports like NASCAR to grow more ecologically responsible as a result of public pressure. Since electric powertrains are becoming more popular in the auto industry, the racing powerhouse may look into an electric option.
There are no electric NASCARs.NASCAR planned to use hybrid cars in 2022, but this has been delayed. This adjustment doesn't guarantee races will soon be carbon-neutral; NASCAR only wants to gain from electric motors.
We'll discuss NASCAR's hybrid advancements in the following years. We'll also explore hybrid engines and how racing manufacturers use electric cars.
NASCAR's New Hybrid Era
Describe a hybrid NASCAR stock car here. Not yet. Initially, stock car fans expected to see the new cars in 2021. The Global COVID-19 Pandemic has delayed the car's release.
NASCAR R&D says the stock car will still have a V8 engine. All official marketing materials say there will be an electric engine driven by a new battery.
Formula E and Indycar drivers can also get this extra power. That is, in select drive modes or with a button push.
Engineers are still debating how the next generation's battery will charge. Current hybrid systems in racing events like Formula 1 use regenerative braking to charge the battery.
This charging mechanism works in a race with a lot of cornering, like a road course, but may not be optimal for NASCAR, since ovals have limited breaking possibilities. Regenerative batteries decrease battery performance during the course of a race at sustained speeds.
Low-performance modes can convert engine output to electricity. Drivers or teams can use this mode at any time to charge the battery and use the electric motor later in the race.
The power of the hybrid drivetrain can help the Next Generation NASCAR car's chassis, which is lighter and more standardized.
What are the benefits of implementing hybrid drivetrains?
The second electric motor will add 150 horsepower, speeding up the stock car. NASCAR's hybrid engines provide horsepower, but there are other benefits. Marketing-wise, hybrid engines have two benefits.
Every NASCAR Cup manufacturer has hybrid cars. By racing hybrid cars, NASCAR helps Ford, Toyota, and Chevrolet boost hybrid sales.
NASCAR manufacturers have always lived by the mantra "Win on Sunday, Sell on Monday," and the move to allow hybrid powerplants proves they still do.
Next-generation NASCAR fans are more eco-conscious. Stock car racing has taken several steps to become greener.
NASCAR introduced the fully-electric Ford Fusion Energi Pace Car in 2013 that can reach 100 mph. Low-emission ethanol fuel and engine and oil recycling are other developments.
NASCAR may use hybrid cars to attract fans who care about the environment. This will help stock car racing become more popular.
Other Racing Competitions
Although other racing competitions have used electric motors, NASCAR has always used V8 engines.
Formula 1 has the most electrified racing engines. In 2014, the world's top racing team went turbo-hybrid. A turbocharged hybrid V6 engine propels these lightweight cars over 200 mph. Since adopting these car standards, top drivers have dominated the sport.
NASCAR was inspired by Formula 1's KERS to develop a regenerative braking system for the Next Gen Stock Car. KERS charges the battery with braking and provides 160 horsepower.
Formula E is an all-electric single-seater open-wheeled racing series. The race has 12 teams and 10 powertrain providers. These cars race for 45 minutes at 170 miles per hour on global roads. Most auto racing fans turn to Formula E for fully electric racing.
Outside of Formula 1, electric vehicles have won praise in auto racing.
An electric car has the fastest Pikes Peak Hill Climb time. The all-electric Volkswagen ID.R smashed the previous record by 15 seconds in 2018.
The Volkswagen ID.R has the number two record for the Nurburgring Nordschleife (the number one record holder for the Nordschleife was the Porsche 919 Hybrid EVO, which runs a V4 engine with a hybrid powertrain).
With electric cars' great performance, it's impossible to imagine NASCAR not using them in their stock cars. What took NASCAR so long to get here? What needs to change for the auto racing powerhouse to go totally electric?
What Must Happen to Make Electric Stockcar Racing Possible?
NASCAR doesn't allow fully electric racing yet. This is unlikely due to the electric racecar's range, long NASCAR races, and pit-stop structure.
Formula E races are normally 45 minutes long and 50-62 kilometres long. This race is a tenth of the length of popular NASCAR races.
This problem can be remedied by improving battery technology and lowering race lengths.
No one would propose a 100-mile NASCAR race. Automakers must build electric battery cars that last twice as long. NASCAR may explore electric cars if it changes its race format.
Some racing fans believe that NASCAR races are too long. A 3-hour stock car race is common (but can go much longer). Shorter movies could boost viewing and enable electric cars.
Formula 1 races are 305 km (189.5 km) and 90 minutes long. With one adjustment, Formula E cars can reach this time and distance.
Before 2018-2019, every Formula E race required a car change pit stop. High-powered machines' batteries couldn't finish a race. This car change included tire adjustments and guaranteed each vehicle had enough race to cross the finish line.
NASCAR prohibits car modifications unless during qualifying or the formation lap. This regulation would ban Formula E's car stop.
Many NASCAR fans imagine electric vehicles would require battery swaps during pit stops. By swapping cars mid-race, races can surpass battery range constraints.
Battery technology is improving but has problems. Extended use of Ludicrous Mode can cause overheating and battery degradation in Teslas (which may be a more accurate representation of electric stock cars, given they have a full chassis).
Until automakers improve battery technology, a fully electric NASCAR field is doubtful.
Summary
NASCAR electric? False. With an electric engine and a KERS system, NASCAR stock cars are incorporating electric components, but not an all-electric setup. The technology can't endure the abuse of a stock car race.
On all accounts, drivers and fans aren't ready for an electric car, which is preventing the sport from embracing electric racing. Many people are excited about how powerful KERS is, but drivers aren't sure about what the future holds for racing.
Drivers like Brad Keselowski and Ryan Newman are skeptical of electric drivetrains. They fear fans will get a quieter engine or less horsepower for lower emissions.
These are genuine worries, yet global trends keep a sport current. NASCAR might be left behind if all racing federations switch to hybrid and electric vehicles.