No Juice: Orlando Speedworld Dragway Bans Electric Vehicles

Like it or not, electric vehicles (EVs) have become a viable transportation option, and that means people want to see how fast they can go at the track. While there have been some impressive passes made by EVs, questions remain about how safe they really are in a drag racing environment. Orlando Speedworld Dragway isn’t taking any chances and has banned EVs from competing at the facility.

Safety is paramount at any drag strip, and officials at Orlando Speedworld have determined that EVs pose a significant safety risk. One of the biggest concerns is what happens when an EV battery is damaged in a crash or suffers a mechanical failure. When compromised, these batteries can release toxic gases, a danger that was documented after an electric Jr. Dragster caught fire at Wagler Motorsports Park.

Another major issue involves the challenges first responders face when dealing with an EV battery fire. Extinguishing these fires requires specialized fire suppression equipment and massive amounts of water. In addition, EV battery fires can burn hot enough to cause extensive damage to paved surfaces due to prolonged heat exposure.

Orlando Speedworld Dragway also cited additional concerns behind the ban, including the possibility that doors may not unlock from the outside after a crash, the danger of removing an unconscious driver from a vehicle where the chassis could still be electrically live, and the risk posed to first responders during extraction. Furthermore, EVs may become immobile once power is disconnected, making it difficult to safely tow a disabled vehicle from the racing surface.