Kevin Harvick Calls NASCAR’s EV ‘Political’ And Says ‘There Is No Future For NASCAR Electric Vehicle Racing’
Kevin Harvick isn’t feeling the EV hype.
During the “Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour podcast” on Tuesday, the retired NASCAR champion shared his thoughts about the electric race car prototype NASCAR revealed during the Chicago Street Race weekend.
“I think that that scenario is probably a little bit political,” he said, suggesting that NASCAR’s heart really isn’t in it.
“I really think that the EV push came from the manufacturers and NASCAR started this project and the EVs aren’t doing as well as what they were when this project started and I think NASCAR finished the project,” he explained.
NASCAR CUP SERIES ADDING $1 MILLION IN-SEASON TOURNAMENT AND DENNY HAMLIN ALREADY CLAIMS VICTORY
“I think that the manufacturers that at one point where, ‘hey, each of us will build three of them, we’ll put on some exhibition races,’ and I think when the EV thing went away the manufacturers were like, ‘hey, uh, we’re not going to do that anymore, so thanks, but no thanks,’ Harvick speculated.
“Now NASCAR is stuck with this electric vehicle that they can do some demonstrations with, but that’s really the only thing that excites me about it. There’s really nothing about a race car that doesn’t make noise that has any excitement for me.”
The 1,300 hp all-wheel-drive car did a couple of demonstration runs on the Chicago street circuit, showing off its acceleration and high-pitched electric motor whine.
“There is no future for NASCAR electric vehicle racing. If it does not make noise and smell like it’s burning gas, there’s no freaking way,” Harvick said.
“Anybody who thinks this would be a success as far as how they race … like that Formula E series and all that stuff, who watches that? Nobody. Nobody watches that. It’s great for the manufacturers to develop their batteries and do all that stuff, but nobody is watching that.”
NASCAR BUILT AN ELECTRIC CAR AND MAY RACE ONE THAT RUNS ON HYDROGEN
NASCAR said there are no current plans to create a series for the vehicle to race in, but that it would only be suitable for road courses and short ovals, where it can take advantage of braking to recharge the battery pack.
“I bought one of those Ford Lightnings and I’m like, ‘I just want to see what it’s all about,’” the longtime Ford-sponsored driver said. “I’m just going to get one and see if it’s fun to drive, but it won’t go far. I’m not taking it on a trip.”
“That thing’s out the door soon.”
Harvick does think there’s room in the Cup Series for hybrid technology, however. The Gen 7 cars were designed to incorporate it and recent reports say that NASCAR needs to introduce hybrid powertrains soon in order to attract a new manufacturer.
CAUTIONARY TALE? KYLE BUSH EXPLAINS HOW A HYBRID NASCAR CAR MIGHT WORK
“Now, will we maybe be hybrid? Do I think that’s great? We can turn the battery on and run some caution laps and charge the battery and all those things that go with that? Sure, because we have to keep up with the technology for the manufacturers, but all electric? No freaking way,” Harvick said.
You must be logged in to post a comment.