Revving Toward Sustainability: NASCAR Unveils Electric SUV Prototype with Eco-Friendly Flax Bodywork

NASCAR's July Chicago Street Race event was abuzz with the unveiling of a prototype race car, an electric SUV, which not only had a unique powertrain but also boasted an eco-friendly body design.

The prototype electric vehicle for NASCAR showcased exterior components from the Swiss company Bcomp, which utilizes flax in their products. Bcomp advocates for flax as an eco-friendly substitute for the widely used carbon fiber in current motorsports, stating it reduces the carbon footprint by 85% while maintaining comparable rigidity.

Prototype of an electric race car for NASCAR (photo courtesy of Bcomp)

The rigidity of the material can be attributed to an internal design that mimics the venation of foliage, as mentioned in a Bcomp blog entry. This particular substance, crafted into a textile that is stackable and shapable akin to carbon fiber or fiberglass, is composed of flax fibers cultivated in Europe in a way that does not interfere with agricultural produce, the firm's online platform states.

In the spring of 2023, NASCAR announced a significant environmental pledge, marking a pioneering shift towards eco-friendliness within the premier auto racing organization in the United States. Their objective is to completely neutralize their carbon emissions within their primary activities by the year 2035.

Prototype of an electric NASCAR race car showcased (image courtesy of Bcomp)

Utilizing flax for car bodies may offer a modest yet impactful step towards sustainability, presenting a less jarring transition than moving from the traditional, fuel-hungry V-8 engines of today's race cars to an electric SUV concept. This innovative model is equipped with all-wheel drive and three six-phase motors – one located in the front and two in the rear – which could generate upwards of 1,300 horsepower. It also features a 78-kWh battery pack and regenerative braking system, which NASCAR has noted makes it well-suited for both road racing and brief stints on oval tracks.

The prototype's switch to an SUV-like design is almost as significant as its switch to electric power, aligning closely with what manufacturers are offering now. While NASCAR hasn't set a date for when electric racing vehicles might hit the track, it's conceivable that the prototype could be rebranded to resemble consumer models like the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Chevrolet Blazer EV, or Toyota bZ4X, following NASCAR's tradition of featuring race cars that mirror those available to the public.

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