Indy Car controls open-wheel car racing in the U.S. It sets the rules for exciting, level-ground competition. However, it has had to throttle back on brute power following fatal incidents including the tragic death of Justin Wilson in August 2015. Four years later, on August 11, 2019 Green Car Reports revealed Indy Car is planning hybrid racers for 2022.
Indy Car is Planning Hybrid Boosts for Extra Power
However, this hybrid power appears to have less to do with green racing as far as we can make out. It seems the primary goal is boosting horsepower. Moreover, Indy Car is planning hybrid batteries to self manage stalled cars on racetracks safely.
This new arrangement should eliminate, or considerably reduce the need for safety crews to help stalled cars restart. This will improve their safe working conditions considerably, and that will be a great step forward. Hybrid batteries in Indy Cars will raise the profile of the industry, and that’s another good thing too.
The Nuts and Bolts of This New Indy Car Technology
Indy Car is apparently following Formula 1 in its move to hybrid battery power technology. The base-line 2.2-liter V-6s from Honda and Chevrolet develop 500 to 700 horsepower. However the added power of an electric motor and batteries could boost this to as much as 900 horsepower.
This will provide turbocharged opportunities for drivers to overtake at greater speeds. Moreover, and this is why we wrote this post the hybrid energy will improve fossil-fuel economy. It may also stretch driving range between gasoline refuels through recuperating braking energy.
Finally, and this is important from the driver’s perspective they will be able to electric-start their cars without assistance from pit crews. Indy Car is planning hybrid energy from a narrow racing perspective. Nonetheless every hybrid battery is a move in the right direction towards green power.
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