By Jack Shaw
Electric vehicles (EVs) haven’t been a futuristic concept for some time. Adoption rates have been skyrocketing, and these high-performance vehicles have captivated the interests of consumers and manufacturers alike.
Gone are the days when we see EVs as an alternative. Their performance has quickly elevated to unprecedented levels. They can compete fiercely with internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles and promise efficiency and power.
With the United States’ 2050 net-zero goal, manufacturers have had little choice. Many have embraced the challenge and reinvested their profits into exploring new avenues to make EV engines as good as, or better than, their ICE counterparts. Partnerships between automotive manufacturers and technology companies have streamlined EV performance and efficiency, which has changed the racing game yet again.
“Hybrids do have a role in everything we do and are coming out with,” says Pat DiMarco, Ford performance manager of NASCAR and analytics. With manufacturing giants like Ford, Toyota and Chevrolet throwing their time and money into EV and hybrid engines, it’s fair to expect their performance to stack up. “We’re a BEV company,” says Tyler Gibbs, general manager of Toyota USA. “Thirty-five-ish percent of our production in the early 2030s is going to be BEV.”
Like many engines before them, EV engines are tested and developed on the racetrack, where they are showing immense success. Dr. Eric Warren, General Motors Executive Director of Global Motorsports competition, claims that Chevrolet uses its racing platform for testing and exploring new technologies. “It’s a potential new form of entertainment,” he adds.
NASCAR debuted its long-awaited EV racecar in July 2024, which was first reported two years prior by Kickin’ the Tires, at the Chicago street race event, and it was met with positivity. It weighs over 500 pounds more than the current Cup Series racecar and is around 6 inches longer. Despite this, the car has been a rip-roaring success.
John Probst, NASCAR’s Senior Vice President and Chief Racing development officer, is excited about the future. “We have probably the best racing that NASCAR has ever seen on the racetrack,” he says. “From a flexibility perspective, you’ll see that car went toe to toe with the best endurance racers in the world when we took it over to Le Mans.”
Endurance is particularly interesting, considering that one of the drawbacks of EVs of the past was charging. In many ways, these vehicles were impractical, regardless of engine power. Today, new charging methods and types make this issue somewhat redundant. Battery technology innovations have improved energy density, allowing longer ranges and quicker charge times. Battery advancements will likely lead to a significant increase in EV performance — more good news for the discerning consumer.
Compare EVs to the cars of the early 20th century, and their performance becomes even more impressive. The first organized automobile race was in 1894, and the winner had an average speed of 12 miles per hour (mph). The growing popularity of E is pushing manufacturers to innovate even further. Formula E does more than showcase the capabilities of EVs. It serves as a platform for testing new technology.
As a result, modern EVs are a very different animal. The Aspark Owl SP600 is the world’s fastest EV, with a top speed of 272.6 mph. The McMurtry Spéirling is also making waves in EV circles. This single-seat electric racer obliterated the outright hillclimb record in 2022 and can reach 62 mph in 1.5 seconds.
Croatian EV manufacturer Rimac is a powerhouse in the space. Their joint venture with Porsche and Bugatti, the Rimac Nevera, has a top speed of 258 mph. The Nevera is a testament to another exciting aspect of the current EV landscape — the aesthetic.
EVs have triggered an emergence of design concepts that challenge traditional automotive style and functionality. The vehicle shapes enhance aerodynamics, reduce drag and improve overall performance, adding power to an already powerful machine.
“We’ve really just scratched the surface on what this would look like three, four, five years down the road,” says NASCAR test driver David Reagan.
As technology develops, we’re seeing increasingly faster EV charging times, with some level three chargers able to fully power a vehicle in as little as 20 minutes. EV battery experimentation and innovation are well underway, and we can expect batteries that last longer and charge faster in the future. In many ways, EVs already have an advantage over ICE vehicles, thanks to their blend of immense power and instant torque.
For decades, automotive innovations have been tested on the racetrack before filtering down into mainstream society. EVs are no different. The success of the aforementioned EV powerhouses in motorsport has reignited consumer interest in EVs. With many Americans saying they’re likely to seriously consider an EV for their next vehicle purchase, manufacturers are working hard to face challenges.
When buying an electric car, consumers want an experience that matches their expectations. It must be exciting and innovative yet reliable and predictable. If the NASCAR racecar is anything to go by, manufacturers will exceed their expectations.
EV engines stack up in terms of performance and can only become more impressive. As the infrastructure catches up with demand, EVs are forecast to make up 50% of new car global sales by 2035. Tyler Gibbs (no relation to NASCAR driver Ty Gibbs of Joe Gibbs Racing) states that Toyota USA will, “follow what the consumer wants,” which means that any ongoing challenges to adoption are filling up his dance card.
The best electric cars are now fast enough to keep up with Formula One racers in a sprint. Car buyers scoping out the RV scene can expect engine performance, especially as the manufacturing giants invest in more efficient and accessible solutions every year.
As EV technology advances, we’ll likely see a greater variety of models catering to different needs, from high-performance sports cars to practical family vehicles. This shift will redefine the automotive industry and contribute to a more sustainable way of transportation — changes that will stand the test of time.
Author Bio
With a passion for all things automotive, Jack Shaw is a respected writer in the racing and off-roading scenes. As a sought-after contributor for Engine Labs, Ford Muscle, NASCAR Chronicle and more, his expertise and attention to detail bring articles to life, keeping readers informed and entertained.