

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


Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
EcoCAR will include a major focus on equity in mobility, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in STEM to help build clean energy mobility solutions and opportunities for all.
EcoCAR EV Challenge Events
Stay up-to-date with the latest EcoCAR Events and Announcements
No Upcoming EcoCAR EV Challenge Events Events. Please Check back soon!
Announcements


Announcing the EcoCAR Year 1 Competition Location


Year 1 Competition Dates Announced!


Announcing New EcoCAR EV Challenge Sponsors


Empowering DEI Leaders at the EcoCAR EV Challenge Fall Workshop


EcoCAR EV Challenge Fall Workshop Wraps in Davis, CA


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.
Technical Goals
In Year One teams will implement model-based design tools to enable propulsion and CAV system development and Propulsion system design. Teams will also design and select their CAV system, and Low-level component packaging and integration design will be finalized.
Technical Goals
In Year Two the 2023 Cadillac LYRIQs will be delivered to teams. Teams will begin initial vehicle integration, and should expect perception systems to be functional.in addition, V2X and Longitudinal control interfaces will be tested in HIL/VIL environments and Propulsion Systems will function at a full range of speeds.
Technical Goals
In Year Three Teams will strive for a reliable propulsion system operation, with Longitudinal control features implemented and tested. Initial lateral control implementation will also be tested and Vehicle will utilize V2X inputs for active control.
Technical Goals
In Year Four vehicles integration will be refined and all planned customer-facing features are to be refined and functional. The vehicle will be capable of supervised automated operations within design domain and CAV features refined to meet consumer expectations and maximize efficiency.
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.


Become a Sponsor
Interested in becoming an EcoCAR Sponsor? Please contact EcoCAR Sr. Project Manager Jesse Alley at ralley@anl.gov
Team Spotlight
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University/ Bethune-Cookman University


Contact the organizers!
Do you have questions about the EcoCAR EV Challenge? Click the link to contact us!