IndyCar championship is one of the top open-wheel racing motorsports events in the United States of America. The IndyCars consisted purely of internal combustion engines which provided them with top speed and acceleration during the race. But with increased concerns about the environment and to meet the sustainable goals of UN, a broader shift towards sustainability in motorsport and automotive industries has resulted alignment towards hybrid engines. A hybrid system helps in boosting performance and providing drivers with flexibility and backups during races. Renowned racing series like Formula 1 and Le Mans have adopted the hybrid engines in their races. Following the trend IndyCar also adopted hybrid engines in 2024 season of IndyCar championships.
Starting from the 2024 season, all the IndyCars will run on hybrid systems. The huge fan base of IndyCars racing are increasingly made aware of sustainability in motorsports racing attracting the viewers with interest towards eco-friendly innovation in addition to thrilling speed and race experience.
Are all IndyCar races hybrid?
Yes, all IndyCar races are hybrid, as per IndyCar's official website. The IndyCars still use the 2.2 liter twin-turbocharged V6 engines, but in the 2024 season, they were paired with an electrical hybrid system for the very first time creating a milestone in the history of IndyCar racing. In 2022, the two power unit manufactureres of IndyCar, Chevrolet and Honda came together to develop the new system for IndyCar.
The newer hybrid system also allows for the use of "Push to Pass" system. Similar to Formula 1's DRS, the P2P is used for overtaking the driver in front. This new power unit also gives additional horsepower to the cars. The newer Push to Pass is system is devoid of the traditional time restrictions on the Push to Pass system used before the introduction of new power unit. IndyCar hybrid power unit consists of the Motor Generator Unit and Energy Storage System. The ESS saves the generated energy in supercapacitors. It employs the additional power through the the Motor Generator Unit. As of December 2024, the IndyCar engines produce a combined horsepower of nearly 900 hp.
Engine specifications:
Type: 2.2-liter (134.25 cubic inches) V-6, twin-turbocharged (maximum bore diameter 95 millimeters) with hybrid technology
Weight: Minimum weight is 248 pounds (112.5 kilograms)
Turbocharging: Twin BorgWarner EFR 7163 turbochargers
RPM: 12,000 maximum (INDYCAR-supplied rev limiter)
Maximum Boost Pressure: (above atmosphere);1,300 mbar (Superspeedways); 1500 mbar (short ovals, Road/Street Courses and Indianapolis 500 qualifying); 1650 mbar (Push-To-Pass)
Power: Estimated 650-700 horsepower, depends on the turbo boost pressure used at track, with up to an additional 150 horsepower available via the hybrid unit
Fuel: Shell 100% Renewable Race Fuel (ethanol)
Injectors: Maximum two injectors per cylinder, one for direct injection, 300 bar maximum fuel system pressure
Hybrid Power Unit: Unique to INDYCAR and developed collaboratively with Chevrolet (Ilmor) and Honda (HRC).
ECU (Engine Control Unit): McLaren Applied Technologies TAG 400i
Throttle: Drive-by-wire controlled port throttles
FAQs on IndyCar
A. Yes, all IndyCars use a hybrid power unit during races.
A. As of December 2024, IndyCar has not decided to run EVs during its race events.
A. IndyCar races are run on superspeedways, short ovals, road courses, and street courses
A. IndyCars are not equipped to race in the rain.
