Kevin Harvick takes hardline stance on NASCAR going electric after unveiling of EV prototype

NASCAR and ABB officially unveiled its electric vehicle prototype ahead of this past weekend’s Chicago Street Race to mixed reviews from fans and those within the sport.

While NASCAR has no plans for it to race or have an electric series at this time, the car represents the sanctioning body’s “mission to strengthen its communities and contribute to a healthier planet, and together will work to advance NASCAR’s strategic sustainability ambitions across electrification.”

FOX Sports analyst Kevin Harvick said on his “Happy Hour” podcast that while he appreciates the effort from NASCAR, there’s no future for it in the sport.

"There is no future for #NASCAR electric vehicle racing." @KevinHarvick shares his thoughts on the EV prototype that was unveiled in Chicago.@KaitlynVincie | @MambaSmith34 pic.twitter.com/jL0aRhH9SN

— HarvickHappyHour (@HarvickHappyPod) July 9, 2024

“There is no future for NASCAR electric vehicle racing,” Harvick said. “If it does not make noise, smell like it’s burning gas, there is no freaking way. … I appreciate the effort… but anybody who thinks this would be a success as far as how they race, it won’t go far on the ovals first off. Like, on the road course it’s probably doable.”

Kevin Harvick explains theory for how NASCAR EV prototype came about

As for why NASCAR went ahead with its EV project, Harvick believes the push came from the car manufacturers.

“I think the electric racecar in itself — I think that scenario is a little bit political,” Harvick said. “I think with just the manufacturers and where NASCAR is at a whole and trying to put that electric vehicle together, I really think that EV push came from the manufacturers and NASCAR started this project and the EVs aren’t doing as well as they were when the project started. And I think NASCAR finished the project and I think from a perspective standpoint, politics and emissions and all the things that go with the rest of the world, it’s great to see that you have something.

“But I think NASCAR was so far down the line with the EV project being pushed by the manufacturers that they finished it, but I think that the manufacturers at one point were ‘Hey, each of us will build three of them, we’ll put on some exhibition races.’ And when the EV thing went away, the manufacturers were like, ‘Hey, we’re not gonna do that anymore, so thanks but no thanks.’ And 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 racecar that doesn’t make noise, that has any excitement for me.”