IndyCar 2028: The Future of Hybrid Racing
▼ Summary
– IndyCar’s 2028 update is largely defined, but the final major piece to solve is the specification for its second-generation hybrid system.
– The new hybrid system aims for significantly more energy storage, potentially doubling power deployment duration to around 10 seconds and doubling peak power to 120hp.
– The system will be housed in the same compact bellhousing area as the current one, but new technologies may allow for a smaller or lighter energy storage solution.
– The series is evaluating whether the enhanced hybrid system could augment or even replace the existing Push-to-Pass boost system for 2028.
– IndyCar aims to have prototype hybrid units from selected vendors ready for testing with the new chassis by late spring of next year.
The path to IndyCar’s 2028 season is crystallizing, with the final major piece of the puzzle revolving around the next generation of hybrid technology. While the new chassis and engine formula are largely defined, the evolution of the Energy Recovery System (ERS) represents the most dynamic and impactful area of development. The series is actively exploring advanced solutions that will significantly enhance performance, moving beyond the initial hybrid system introduced in 2024 to create a more powerful and strategic racing tool.
Hybridization remains the last significant portion of the 2028 puzzle for IndyCar to solve. According to Mark Sibla, IndyCar’s Senior VP of competition and operations, the focus is on developing “Version 2” of the hybrid system. This next iteration aims to build upon the reliability of the current package while incorporating new technologies for greater energy storage and impact. The goal is to move from a system born of necessity, retrofitted into the older DW12 chassis, to one fully integrated into the new IR28 design.
The core hardware will remain in the same compact location: the structural bellhousing behind the engine. This space, once home to a single turbocharger and later left empty, now houses the Motor Generator Unit (MGU) and will contain the updated energy storage system. The series is currently evaluating proposals from suppliers, with two front-running groups suggesting solutions that promise reduced weight and, crucially, a major increase in storage capacity.
A steep rise in battery storage capacity is central to IndyCar’s ambition. The target is to more than double the power deployment duration, aiming for upwards of 10 seconds per charge compared to the current five-second window. This extended duration is a primary driver for the upgrade. Concurrently, the series is targeting a doubling of peak ERS power output to approximately 120 horsepower. The current MGU supplied by Empel is technically capable of such figures, but has been limited by the storage capacity of the first-generation system.
The engineering challenge lies in finding the optimal balance between increased horsepower and deployment duration. As storage capacity grows, it allows for growth in both areas, but the series must decide on the best ratio for the racing product. This decision will influence whether the hybrid system eventually augments or even replaces the existing Push to Pass overtake system. The concept of having two separate power-adders is under review, with the possibility that the ERS could become the sole performance boost activated from the cockpit.
The timeline calls for prototype systems to be ready for integration with the new chassis testing by late spring of next year. This is essential for evaluating the complete package, including weight distribution and system interaction, well ahead of the 2028 competition debut. The technology is rapidly evolving, with even the supercapacitors in the current system nearing decommission as newer, more capable components emerge. For IndyCar, the future of hybrid racing is not just about adding electricity; it’s about unlocking a new layer of performance and strategy.
(Source: Racer)
