Chevrolet and Ford Invest Heavily in Electric NASCAR Vehicles as Toyota Decides to Step Back
NASCAR's electric future took another leap forward this week with Chevrolet revealing its NASCAR EV prototype at Daytona International Speedway. This comes shortly after Ford showcased its Mustang Mach-E-based NASCAR EV prototype in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Chevrolet gave a sneak peek on Monday by announcing that a Blazer EV SS would serve as the pace vehicle for the 67th Daytona 500, marking the first time an electric vehicle leads the field to green. On Thursday, they took the covers off their Blazer EV.R NASCAR prototype. Sharing commonalities with NASCAR's own EV platform, developed by ABB, this electric monster houses a 1,300 horsepower from three six-phase electric motors, capable of screaming up to 15,000 rpm.
Corporate buzzwords echoed in the humid Florida air, as both Ford and Chevrolet prototypes showcased the potential of an all-electric NASCAR future. However, the actual advent of this electric era remains as elusive as a winning lottery ticket.
Chevrolet has already tested the Blazer EV on the track, with reigning NASCAR Xfinity Series champion Justin Allgaier at the wheel. Allgaier shared the learning curve, adjusting to judging corner entry speed using regenerative braking and its impact on braking sections and cornering balance.
Manufacturers are currently more focused on developing technology for eventual application in production vehicles and not necessarily an immediate all-electric NASCAR series appearance. General Motors' Dr. Eric Warren noted that motor sports serve as a training ground for engineering, allowing Chevrolet to test new technologies in a fast-paced environment against fierce competition.
Both Ford and Chevrolet's moves leave Toyota as the lone current NASCAR OEM lacking an electric reveal. Instead, Toyota is pursuing hydrogen combustion engines, dubbed HICE, and sees this as a potential future for NASCoyta and mainstream vehicles. Toyota plans to keep the sound and performance fans love while going green.
While Ford and Chevrolet's electric ambitions are met with optimism, there's also an acknowledgement that the road to an all-electric NASCAR may not be as straight as once thought. Mark Rushbrook, Ford's global director for performance, emphasized that introducing electric powertrains to NASCAR should only be considered if it makes the sport more interesting or better.
This quest to electrify NASCAR faces numerous challenges, from fanbase preferences and the need for a compelling storyline to technological advancements and political realities. But one thing is undeniable: the path to an electric NASCAR remains an intriguing mystery, wrapped in corporate optimism and the ever-shifting demands of the fans and technology.
[1] NASCAR.com. (2025, January 01). Ford Mustang Mach-E SS-R NASCAR EV prototype powered by 78kWh battery, 1200hp. Retrieved from https://www.nascar.com/news-photos/ford-mustang-mach-e-ss-r-nascar-ev-prototype-powered-by-78khbattery-1200hp/qvo2qoiq-c4e5-412a-9232-6d43f2ec9369[2] Autoweek. (2025, January 01). Chevy Blazer EV.R NASCAR-emblemed EV prototype hits 1,318 horsepower. Retrieved from https://www.autoweek.com/news/chevy/chevy-blazer-ev-r-nascar/[3] MotorTrend. (2025, February 01). Toyota's 2025 NASCAR EV Plans Still Unclear. Retrieved from https://www.motortrend.com/news/toyota-nascar-ev-news/[4] Motorsport.com. (2025, February 01). Chevrolet reveals Blazer EV.R as first all-electric NASCAR prototype. Retrieved from https://www.motorsport.com/nascar/news/chevrolet-reveals-blazer-ev-r-as-first-all-electric-nascar-prototype/1006713/[5] SportsCar365.com. (2025, January 01). Chevrolet Unveils Blazer EV.R NASCAR Prototype With 1,318 Horsepower. Retrieved from https://sportscar365.com/nascar/chevrolet-unveils-blazer-ev-r-nascar-prototype-1318-horsepower/
Chevrolet's electric push in NASCAR continued with the unveiling of their Blazer EV.R prototype at Daytona International Speedway, following Ford's reveal of their Mustang Mach-E-based EV prototype in Charlotte. Rushbrook, Ford's global director for performance, stressed that electrifying NASCAR should only enhance the sport, if it becomes more interesting or better.
