NASCAR Green Initiative Continues Steady Growth With Eaton Partnership

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – NASCAR has announced a new multi-year official agreement with Eaton, a leader in developing global solutions for today’s most critical electrical power management challenges. The new alliance makes Eaton an Official NASCAR Green Partner with the designation ‘Official EV Charging Solution Provider of NASCAR,’ bolstering the growing roster of companies utilizing the NASCAR Green platform to validate technologies that positively impact the environment.

The new collaboration includes the installation of 20 Eaton Level 2 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at NASCAR offices in Daytona Beach, Fla.; Charlotte N.C.; and Concord, N.H. The stations will power electric and plug-in hybrid EVs of NASCAR employees and guests. Eaton is a leading provider of EV charging infrastructure in the United States.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, EV charging infrastructure build-out is critical given that its benefits include lowered greenhouse gas and particulate emissions, improved public health, increased energy security and lower operating cost per mile. For example, based on Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fuel economy ratings (fueleconomy.gov), fully charging a Ford Focus EV every day for a year equates to saving 211 trees, which equates to the GHG emissions from five NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.

“The dedication put behind the NASCAR Green platform has translated into NASCAR not only being the leader in sports sustainability, but in establishing a business model that benefits our partners, customers and the planet,” said Dr. Mike Lynch, NASCAR managing director, green innovation, strategic development. “Through the installation of Eaton’s industry-leading EV charging station technology, Eaton provides NASCAR with a yet another impactful way to reduce the sports’ impact on the environment in the future.”

According to a 2012 study commissioned by NASCAR and conducted by Toluna, NASCAR fans are twice as likely as non-fans to view their household as very green – always looking for new ways to positively impact the environment. The same research shows that NASCAR fans are many times more likely than non-fans to closely associate NASCAR with being environmentally responsible.

“As a former NASCAR driver, I have seen firsthand how motorsports are not only an incubator of significant technology advancements in transportation, but also a key platform in driving public awareness of the technologies,” said Johnny Miller, global client director, Eaton’s electrical business. “As a leader in energy management and in the emerging market of grid connected vehicles, Eaton is a perfect fit for the NASCAR Green Team.”

NASCAR’s environmental efforts have established the league as the leader in sustainability across all of sports. Through strategic partnerships with teams, tracks and official partners, NASCAR Green continues to set new benchmarks. NASCAR features the world’s largest solar-powered sports facility (by more than two times), a tree planting program capturing 100 percent of the emissions produced by on-track racing, and the largest recycling program in sports. Its corporate headquarters in Daytona Beach, the International Motorsports Center, has achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (“LEED”) Gold Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Additionally, NASCAR launched a long-term biofuels program to reduce emissions in all its racing series with partners Sunoco, American Ethanol and the National Corn Growers Association. NASCAR recently surpassed 4 million miles driven across its three national series on Sunoco Green E15.

As part of this collaboration, Eaton joins the NASCAR Fuel for Business Council, which brings together an exclusive group of more than 60 Official NASCAR Partners four times per year to buy and sell products and services from one another. This exclusive business-to-business environment offers unique opportunities for many FORTUNE 500 companies to bypass the time and layers of corporate coordination that may exist and construct customized deals to help address specific business needs.

Akebono Brake Corporation expanded its Severe Duty Ultra-Premium Disc Brake Pad line by 14 new part numbers for Chrysler, Ford, GMC and Nissan vehicles, increasing coverage by over 11 million vehicles.

Premium stainless steel abutment hardware is included in the kits that require it, the company said.

“We are pleased to announce the release of these 14 new severe duty part numbers expanding coverage for over 11 million VIO adding late-model coverage for Chrysler. Ford, GMC and Nissan. This expansion reinforces our commitment to delivering reliable solutions to our customers. We're eager to see these parts make a significant impact in the field, enhancing performance and durability and reducing downtime where it's most needed. All of these parts are in-stock and ready for shipment,” said Kirby Pruitt, product development manager.