New hybrid race car delivers eco boost without sacrificing speed

A team of 14 engineering students from Texas A&M University, supported by the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA), has developed an affordable hybrid race car prototype aimed at demonstrating that speed and sustainability can coexist in motorsports. The car features a unique “through-the-road” hybrid system combining an electric front-wheel drivetrain with a rear combustion engine, with no mechanical connection between the two axles. This design allows the car to maintain high performance while reducing carbon emissions, targeting amateur and pro-am racing leagues. Key innovations include regenerative braking, which recovers energy during braking to recharge the battery and boost the combustion engine, and a push-to-pass feature that provides short bursts of electric power to enhance acceleration. The team also prioritized safety with extensive hardware testing and software fail-safes. Their prototype earned second place out of 361 entries at Texas A&M’s 2025 Engineering Capstone Showcase. The SCCA plans to test the car on track by the end of 2025, with the