Electric NASCAR features Sustainable Flax Bodywork
NASCAR debuted a first ever version of its all-new battery electric vehicle (BEV) prototype at this weekend’s Chicago Street Race at Grant Park, Chicago Illinois, featuring innovative, sustainable bodywork made from flax.
NASCAR’s innovative BEV prototype is the first major US motorsports project to incorporate flax-based composites which were developed by Swiss lightweighting specialists Bcomp. The high-performance bodywork uses Bcomp’s ampliTex™ technical fabrics in conjunction with powerRibs™, which were first inspired by the vein structure of leaves, to harness the natural advantages of flax fibre, a sustainable material.
This is a step towards implementing more sustainable measures into NASCAR competition vehicles. Under the NASCAR IMPACT umbrella, in April 2023 NASCAR committed to achieving net zero operating emissions by 2035 and set a series of five-year sustainability targets, including sourcing 100% renewable electricity at all owned tracks and offices and expanding EV charging infrastructure across the company’s facilities.
Bcomp’s composites offer a sustainable alternative to traditional carbon fibre, reducing CO2 emissions by up to 85% at similar stiffness, and improve safety in motorsports thanks to a breaking behaviour without sharp shattering, a safety aspect that is especially relevant in bumper-to-bumper racing.
“Integrating sustainable innovations into the design process helps set the standard for sustainability across our industry and supports forward progress towards the company’s sustainability goals and targets,” said Vice President of Vehicle Design, Brandon Thomas.
Johann Wacht, Key Account Manager Automotive & Motorsports at Bcomp, said: “We are thrilled to be entering this important phase with NASCAR with whom we have a strong shared vision for sustainability. This collaboration is Bcomp’s first major US motorsport project, and we are excited to demonstrate together with the NASCAR IMPACT team how racing can pave the way for sustainable innovations, enabling benefits for wider society further down the road.”
Larry Perko, Bcomp US Motorsports Business Development (North America), said: “Building on our global leadership in high-performance composites, we are excited to introduce our Race to Road strategy to the US, ushering in a new era for American motorsports. Our commitment to innovation and sustainability empowers forward-thinking American companies like NASCAR to achieve new heights in efficiency and environmental responsibility.
“We go beyond just advancing motorsports; we’re setting a new standard for performance materials across industries, paving the way for a more environmentally conscious and competitive future where businesses can flourish with high-performing, sustainable solutions.”
