Bill Nye the Science Guy Wants NASCAR to Go Electric
How different would NASCAR be if every race car was electric?
That’s exactly what Bill Nye, The Science Guy, is proposing. In a recent article written by Nye, he talks about the excitement of attending a NASCAR race but how at the same time, it’s depressing as an engineer. “Because here I am trying to envision the smart, efficient transportation technology of tomorrow, and there is NASCAR doing the opposite – celebrating a very old transportation technology of yesterday.”
Nye goes on to add that NASCAR kind of breaks his heart, wishing that instead of gasoline-burning engines, it featured electric technology. He wishes that NASCAR was more like NASA, looking towards the future instead of the past. Nye even proposes that NASCAR sets up Grand Challenges to inspire companies and individuals to create novel automotive technologies, much like NASA has done for space.
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To provide a compelling argument for electric race cars, Nye points to none other than the Tesla Model S, which has become the poster child for electric car performance. A typical NASCAR is tuned to produce up to 540 pound-feet of torque, while the Tesla Model S pumps out 713 lb-ft of torque straight from the assembly line. Although a NASCAR vehicle can have upwards of 850 hp compared to the Tesla Model S sedan’s 532 figure, Nye points out that NASCAR race cars typically tip the scales around 3,600 pounds with a driver while the Model S is 1,000 lbs more.
Curious to hear @NASCAR's thoughts on this. We can change the world, people(s). https://t.co/VfPsUEwi7h
— Bill Nye (@BillNye) January 25, 2016
“I’m not saying we should all be driving turbine engine-powered cars,” Nye said in the published article. “I’m saying racing should be about the future rather than the past. How about NASCAR becoming NESCAR (National Electric Stock Car Racing)? The sooner NASCAR (or NESCAR) embraces electric drive trains, the sooner the U.S. can be the world leader in automotive technology, and the sooner we can stop pumping carbon dioxide into the air every time we want to go somewhere to get groceries, pick up the soccer team, commute to work or watch a race.”
Perhaps Nye should turn his attention to Formula E, where FIA has embraced the idea of an all-electric race car.
[Source: Aeon]
Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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Bill Nye is not a "climatology guy" but a mechanical engineer. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering and worked for Boeing.
I'm with Bill on this one, I think he hit the nail on the head. He has some strong points and there are clear advantages for all, from the bosses of NASCAR all the way down to the fans and everyone in between. A change such as the one he is proposing would create more than just opportunity within NASCAR, but also growth within the supporting sectors which would then inevitably make its way to the general public and it would also go a long way towards changing our perception about motorsports and even the way we drive.