EcoCAR EV Challenge

The universities selected to participate in the EcoCAR EV Challenge are:

  • Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University/ Bethune-Cookman University
  • Georgia Institute of Technology
  • Illinois Institute of Technology
  • McMaster University – CAN
  • Mississippi State University
  • Ohio State University/Wilberforce University
  • University of Alabama
  • University of California, Davis
  • University of California, Riverside
  • University of Texas, Austin
  • University of Waterloo – CAN
  • Virginia Tech
  • West Virginia University

These universities will build teams with multi-disciplinary skill sets, such as mechanical, electrical, computer and software engineering, communications, and project management to emulate the real-world experience of working in the automotive industry. Having a diverse team spanning these skills will allow a team to be successful in the competition and prepare more students for careers in the mobility sector.

The overall vision of EcoCAR is to provide an opportunity for university students to participate in hands-on automotive R&D at the leading edge of technology by using contemporary industry standards and practices.

Vision

  • Provide a hands-on, real-world experience in STEM that:
    • Fosters practical learning in a safe environment
    • Incorporates the use of math-based tools to improve engineering education
    • Enables participants to develop and refine complex vehicle control and safety systems by using industry testing/validation processes and methodologies
    • Prepares students to work in the automotive, mobility and energy industries
    • Fosters a clean energy workforce that reflects the diversity of North America
  • Develop highly-skilled engineering leaders and innovators with a strong understanding of:
    • Advanced propulsion systems
    • Propulsion system control
    • Connected and automated vehicle technologies
    • Automotive mechatronics
    • Model-based design (MBD) techniques
    • Structural design and analysis
    • Other critical engineering disciplines
  • Support university teams in the recruitment of students in the following disciplines:
    • Mechanical Engineering
    • Electrical and Computer Engineering
    • Computer Science and Software Engineering
    • Industrial Engineering, Systems Engineering and other disciplines
    • Communications and Business

Technical Goals

  • Meet decarbonization needs of the automotive industry by applying automation and connectivity technologies to state-of-the-art battery electric vehicle platforms:
    • Utilize a combination of on-board sensors and bidirectional vehicle-to-everything (V2X) connectivity to implement energy efficient and customer-pleasing automated control features.
    • Implement and refine advanced powertrain, charging and thermal systems to use grid electricity intelligently.
  • Identify and address specific equity and electrification challenges in the future of mobility through the application of innovative hardware and software solutions.
  • Establish and maintain effective relationships with team-selected audience to guide design decisions, and implementation throughout the vehicle development process.

2023 Cadillac LYRIQ

General Motors will donate a 2023 Cadillac LYRIQ to each team, challenging them to design, build, refine, and demonstrate the potential of their advanced propulsion systems and CAV technologies over four competition years. Teams will be tasked with complex, real-world technical challenges including enhancing the propulsion system of their LYRIQ to optimize energy efficiency while maintaining consumer expectations for performance and driving experience.

To learn more about the LYRIQ go to the official Cadillac LYRIQ page.

EcoCAR EV Challenge Headline Sponsors

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), in partnership with Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), provide program management, team evaluation, logistical support, in order to educate the next generation of automotive engineers and accelerate the development of technologies of interest to the DOE and the automotive industry.

General Motors provides each competing team with a production vehicle, as well as vehicle components, seed money, technical mentoring and operational support.

MathWorks provides teams with a full suite of software tools, simulation models, training, technical mentoring and operational support.

Other sponsors provide hardware, software and training.

GM Logo
Stay Up-to-Date with the EcoCAR EV Challenge

visit avtcseries.org beginning this fall.