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:

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

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Announcements

Announcing the EcoCAR Year 1 Competition Location

The EcoCAR EV Challenge Year 1 Competition will be held May 21-26, 2023 in Orlando, Florida. At the year-end finale, EcoCAR teams will gather in the sunshine state to showcase their […]
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Year 1 Competition Dates Announced!

The EcoCAR EV Challenge Year 1 Competition will be held May 21-26, 2023. At the year-end finale, EcoCAR teams will be showcasing their hard work and effort from Year 1 [...]
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Announcing New EcoCAR EV Challenge Sponsors

Announcing new EcoCAR EV Challenge Sponsors: Dataspeed Inc. and tesa tape! Dataspeed Inc. Dataspeed Inc., located in Metro Detroit, provides complete autonomous research and development vehicle integrations that allow engineers [...]
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Empowering DEI Leaders at the EcoCAR EV Challenge Fall Workshop

The EcoCAR EV Challenge officially kicked off this Fall semester at 15 campuses across North America, including 2 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and 2 Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). [...]
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EcoCAR EV Challenge Fall Workshop Wraps in Davis, CA

From October 7 – 9, 2022 teams, sponsors, and organizers gathered at the University of California, Davis for the EcoCAR EV Challenge Year 1 Fall Workshop. Throughout the 3-day workshop, [...]
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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.
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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.

Student Working on Car

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

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Chevy Trailblazer

Contact the organizers!

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

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