By: Spencer Neff
May 14, 2024

On Tuesday afternoon, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES announced the long-awaited debut of its hybrid powertrain technology will debut later this season. The hybrid system will be added on to the current 2.2-liter turbocharged V6 engines supplied by Chevrolet and Honda.

“The strength of this uncharted partnership between Chevrolet and Honda has pushed this innovative project to the grid in 2024,” INDYCAR President Jay Frye said.

A full-field test is scheduled for June 11 at the Milwaukee Mile to help teams acclimate to the changes.

With the hybrid’s regeneration powers added onto the current “Push to pass” systems utilized on road and street courses, horsepower will exceed 800 for the first time in nearly two decades.

“The INDYCAR-specific hybrid power unit will bring a new and exciting element to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES with additional energy and overtake options. We cannot wait to see the start of this new era at Mid-Ohio.”

Other notable technology included with this change is the introduction of anti-stall technology for drivers while on-board.

“The introduction of hybrid technology provides an opportunity to integrate electrification technologies into the NTT INDYCAR SERIES,” General Motors Executive Director, Motorsports Competition Eric Warren said.

Chevrolet’s an d General Motors’ history with INDYCAR dates back nearly to the beginning for all 3. Arthur Chevrolet, brother of 1920 Indianapolis 500 winner Gaston and brand founder Louis, started 14th and finished 36th at the inaugural Indianapolis 500 in 1911. The brand returned to the series in 2012, the same year the current engines were introduced.

“During the development of any new technology, extensive analysis and testing are done to identify as many issues as possible. We support INDYCAR’s decisions throughout this process to study testing data carefully and make sure that when the hybrid technology is integrated, the operation and performance are exactly what is expected.

“This approach has given INDYCAR and the engine manufacturers the opportunity to ensure the high level of competition continues uninterrupted.”

Honda, which has participated in IndyCar since 1994, also welcomed today’s announcement.

Hybrid technology is playing an ever-increasing role in both our racing programs and the production vehicles created by Honda and Acura,” Honda Racing Corporation USA President David Salters said.

“More than a quarter of Honda’s total sales in 2023 – nearly 300,000 vehicles – were Honda CR-V and Accord hybrids. Introducing electrification to INDYCAR at Mid-Ohio further aligns our racing efforts with Honda’s passenger car production as we operate multiple manufacturing and R&D facilities in central Ohio, employing more than 13,000 associates there.

“This is exciting new technology and, like all things new, has presented challenges to us at HRC as we have stepped in with our competitors to help INDYCAR make the hybrid system compact enough, powerful enough, light enough and reliable enough to work within the highly-restricted confines of an INDYCAR chassis. We are proud of our associates’ work to develop the supercapacitor pack and control software for the system. We look forward to hybrid tech adding another dimension to the great racing spectacle and entertaining our great Honda and INDYCAR racing fans.”

Header Image: (left to right) Rob Buckner, Chevrolet INDYCAR Program Direct, Jay Frye, INDYCAR President, Matt Niles, Honda Hybrid Project Leader during the October 12 Hybrid Test at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Chris Jones/INDYCAR)