About the EcoCAR EV Challenge
The latest AVTC series, the EcoCAR EV Challenge (EcoCAR), will challenge 15 North American universities to engineer a next generation battery electric vehicle (BEV) that utilizes automation and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) connectivity to implement energy efficient customer-pleasing features, and meet the decarbonization needs of the automotive industry.
About the EV Challenge
EcoCAR teams will experience a hands-on, real-world environment that exposes students to industry-grade components, tools, and methods, and connects students with subject matter experts (SME) and mentors.
The EcoCAR EV Challenge is at the cutting edge of automotive engineering education and challenges students to engineer a next generation battery electric vehicle (BEV) that utilizes automation and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) connectivity to implement energy efficient and customer-pleasing features, while meeting the decarbonization need of the automotive industry.
EcoCAR teams will utilize a combination of on-board sensors and bidirectional V2X connectivity to implement energy efficient and customer-pleasing automated control features. Teams also will refine advanced powertrain along with charging and thermal systems to use grid electricity intelligently.
General Motors will provide each team with a 2023 Cadillac LYRIQ where teams will demonstrate the potential of advanced propulsion systems, connected and automated vehicle (CAV) technologies, and other innovative technologies to analyze energy efficiency. EcoCAR teams will utilize a combination of on-board sensors and bidirectional vehicle-to-everything (V2X) connectivity to implement energy efficient and customer-pleasing automated control features. Teams also will refine advanced powertrain along with charging and thermal systems to use grid electricity intelligently.
The competition will kick off in Fall 2022 and conclude in 2026.
Competition Vision
EcoCAR will provide a hands-on, real-world experience in STEM that:
Prepares students for future careers
- EcoCAR incorporates the use of math-based tools to improve engineering education
- This series challenges students to weigh all the benefits of their design, such as energy efficiency and consumer features, against the constraints of cost and risk of implementation
- EcoCAR provides a platform to facilitate systems-level engineering curriculum and instruction in engineering departments at an elevated level
- Students will participate in workshops and training to develop exceptional leadership, teamwork, and professional skills that will better prepare them for their future careers
Develops a diverse clean energy workforce
- EcoCAR will focus on DEI throughout all areas of the program, including an Equity in Mobility Challenge which challenges teams to identify and address specific equity and electrification challenges in the future of mobility through the application of innovative hardware and software solutions
- Teams will strive to recruit and retain students that represent the diversity of automotive customers and promote an environment of inclusion and diversity within the program and among the participating teams
- Teams will implement youth outreach and recruiting initiatives that promote careers in STEM
Gives students access to industry tools and training
- Participants will demonstrate the potential of advanced propulsion systems, connected and automated vehicle (CAV) technologies, and other innovative technologies to analyze energy efficiency, leading to greater transportation energy affordability, reliability, and security
- EcoCAR will challenge students to weigh all the benefits of their design, such as energy efficiency and consumer features, against the constraints of cost and risk of implementation
EcoCAR EV Challenge Events
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Announcements
Competition Years
The competition will kick off in Fall 2022 and conclude in 2026.
Technical Goals
Throughout the 4-year series, teams will meet the following technical goals of EcoCAR:
- Meet decarbonization needs of the automotive industry by applying automation and connectivity technologies to state-of-the-art BEV 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 customers to guide design decisions and implementation throughout the vehicle development process.
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.
Team Spotlight
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