EcoCAR 3
Background
EcoCAR 3 was the 11th U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Advanced Vehicle Technology Competition (AVTC) series and is North America’s premier collegiate automotive engineering competition. The U.S. DOE and General Motors are challenged 16 North American universities to redesign a Chevrolet Camaro into a hybrid-electric car to reduce environmental impact, while maintaining the muscle and performance expected from this iconic American car.
Inovations & Hightlights
The competition is modeled after GM’s real-world vehicle development process (VDP) and is broken down into four academic years, each focusing on a different stage in the VDP.
Year One: Designs finalized, component bench testing achieved
Year Two: Vehicle build and integration, 50% level of functionality
Year Three: Vehicle integration refinement, 65% level of functionality
Year Four: Vehicle system optimization, 99% level of functionality
Over the course of four years, EcoCAR 3 teams have to reduce the environmental impact of the 2016 Chevrolet Camaro by minimizing the vehicle’s fuel consumption and reducing its emissions while retaining the vehicle’s performance, safety and consumer appeal expected from this iconic American vehicle.
Teams have to meet the competition’s technical goals which are to design and integrate vehicle powertrains that, when compared to the production Camaro, will further (1) reduce energy consumption, (2) reduce well-to-wheel greenhouse gas emissions, (3) reduce criteria tailpipe emissions, (4) maintain consumer acceptability in the areas of performance, utility, and safety and (5) meet energy and environmental goals, while considering cost and innovation.
Universities Involved
Arizona State University
Location
Tempe, ArizonaFaculty Advisors
- Abdel Mayyas
- Laurie Ralston
- Jane Humble
- James Contes
- Kristine Csavina
- Micah Lande
University of Alabama
Location
Tuscaloosa, AlabamaFaculty Advisors
- Paul Puzinauskas
- Hwan-Sik Yoon
- Tim A. Haskew
- Robert Morgan
- Mike Pope
University of Waterloo
Location
Ontario, CanadaFaculty Advisors
- Dr. Roydon Fraser
- Dr. Michael Fowler
- Nasser Abukhdeir
Winners & Awards
Each year, university teams compete in a variety of static and dynamic events that range from oral presentations to on-road vehicle testing to communications and project management tactics. These static and dynamic events are judges by industry sponsors and professionals, both throughout the year and in-person at the year-end competition.
Year One 2014-2015
- 1st Place Overall – Ohio State University
- 2nd Place Overall – Virginia Tech
- 3rd Place Overall – University of Waterloo
- 4th Place Overall – Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
- 5th Place Overall – Pennsylvania State University
- 6th Place Overall – McMaster University
- Architecture Selection Proposal – Virginia Tech
- Baseline Waiver – Wayne State University
- Best Final Technical Report – Wayne State University
- CAD Tool Check – Arizona State University, Pennsylvania State University, University of Washington, University of Waterloo, Virginia Tech, West Virginia University
- Best Final Stakeholder Status Presentation – Ohio State University
- Best Feasibility Study Report – Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
- Best Facilities Inspection – Arizona State University, Virginia Tech, West Virginia University
- Best Winter Workshop Innovation Topic Review – Ohio State University
- Best Winter Workshop Systems Modeling & Simulation Presentation – University of Waterloo
- Best Innovation Presentation – Ohio State University
- Best Control Systems Presentation – Ohio State University
- Best Mechanical Systems Presentation – McMaster University
- Best Electrical Systems Presentation – University of Washington
- Best Trade Show Presentation – Ohio State University
- HV Safety Demonstration – Virginia Tech
- Project Initialization Approval Presentation – Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
- SMS Presentation and Demonstration – Ohio State University
- Best Communications Plan – Pennsylvania State University
- Best Implementation Plan – Pennsylvania State University, Virginia Tech
- Best Media Relations Report – University of Alabama
- Sponsor Collaboration Video and Blog Post – West Virginia University
- Most Creative Outreach Event – University of Alabama
- Spirit of Communications – Carol Mamon, California State University Los Angeles
- Best Outreach Presentation – University of Alabama
- 3rd Place Communications – West Virginia University
- 2nd Place Communications – Pennsylvania State University
- 1st Place Communications – Ohio State University
- Most Compelling Mission & Vision Statement – Colorado State University
- Spirit of Project Management – Alyse Waldhorn, Wayne State University
- Best Project Management Plan – University of Waterloo
- Best Consumer Market Research Report – Ohio State University
- Best Winter Workshop Stakeholder Status Presentation – University of Waterloo
- 3rd Place Project Management – University of Waterloo
- 2nd Place Project Management – Ohio State University
- 1st Place Project Management – Virginia Tech
- Team to Watch – University of Alabama
- Ron Stence Spirit of the Challenge Award – Wayne State University
- Donald Streit Sportsmanship Award – Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
- 3rd Place Excellence in Leadership – Jordan Freight, West Virginia University
- 2nd Place Excellence in Leadership – Stephen Hayes, Mississippi State University
- 1st Place Excellence in Leadership – Kaylie Crosby, University of Alabama
- dSPACE Embedded Success Award (3rd-1st, respectively) – McMaster University, Virginia Tech, Ohio State University
- MathWorks Modeling Award (3rd-1st, respectively) – University of Washington, Ohio State University, McMaster University
- Clean Cities Collaboration Award – University of Alabama & Arizona State University
- General Motors Women in Engineering Award – Jessica Boles, University of Tennessee- Knoxville
- National Science Foundation Outstanding Incoming Faculty Advisor Award – Andrew Nix, West Virginia University
Year Two 2015-2016
Overall Awards
- 1st Place Overall
- Ohio State University
- 2nd Place Overall
- Virginia Tech
- 3rd Place Overall
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
- 4th Place Overall
- University of Alabama
- 5th Place Overall
- Mississippi State University
- 6th Place Overall
- Penn State
TECHNICAL DYNAMIC EVENT AWARDS
- Best Overall Safety Tech Inspection
- Embry- Riddle Aeronautical University
- Best Functional Vehicle Safety
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Ohio State University
- Best Final Vehicle Integration
- Virginia Tech
- Best Initial Vehicle Integration
- Virginia Tech
- Best Skidpad Performance
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
- Best Charge Sustaining Energy Consumption
- Georgia Tech
- Best Charge Depleting Energy Consumption
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
- TRC Testing Award
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
TECHNICAL PRESENTATION AWARDS
- Best Consumer Appeal Presentation
- University of Alabama
- Best Mechanical Systems Presentation
- Virginia Tech
- Best Control Systems Presentation
- Ohio State University
- Best Electrical Systems Presentation
- Ohio State University
- Best Competition Hardware in the Loop Review
- Ohio State University
- Best Competition Systems Safety Presentation
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
- Best Vehicle Design Review
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Communications Awards
- Communications Program 1st Place: University of Alabama
2nd Place: Virginia Tech
3rd Place: Ohio State University - Best Communications & Implementation Plans
- University of Alabama
- Best Sponsor Collaboration Video & Blog Post
- Ohio State University
- Best Social Media Report
- University of Alabama
- Best Media Relations Report
- Virgina Tech
- Best Communications Outreach Presentation
- Virginia Tech
- Spirit of Communications
- Shawn Kim, University of Washington
- Most Creative Outreach Event
- Virginia tech
Project Management Awards
- Project Management 1st Place: Mississippi State University
2nd Place: Ohio State University
3rd Place: University of Alabama - Best Project Management Plan
- Mississippi State University
- Best Change Management Plan
- Mississippi State University
- Best Winter Workshop Project Status Presentation
- Mississippi State University
- Best Impact Report
- University of Waterloo
- Best Competition Project Status Presentation
- Mississippi State University
- Spirit of Project Management
- Jared Nordman, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
PRE-COMPETITION TECHNICAL DELIVERABLE AWARDS
- Vehicle Design Report 1st Place: Ohio State University
2nd Place: Virginia Tech
3rd Place: University of Waterloo - Best Winter Workshop Systems Safety Presentation
- McMaster University
- Best Winter Workshop Hardware-in-the-Loop Review
- Ohio State University
- Best Winter Workshop Innovation Progress Review
- University of Alabama
- Best Vehicle Safety Binder
- Virginia Tech
- Best Final Technical Report
- University of Alabama
Organizer Awards
- Dr. Don Streit Sportsmanship Award
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
- Ron Stence Spirit of the Challenge Award
- University of Waterloo
- Excellence in Leadership Award
- Tom Gorgia, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
- Team to Watch Award
- West Virginia University
Sponsored Awards
- Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award
- Dr. Paul Puzinauskas, University of Alabama
- General Motors Women in Engineering Award
- Megan Hathcock, University of Alabama
- General Motors Women in Engineering Rookie Award
- Megan Wood, McMaster University
- NSF Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Engineering Award 1st Place: University of Alabama
2nd Place: Ohio State University - NSF Innovation Award 1st Place: University of Alabama
2nd Place: McMaster University
3rd Place: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - MathWorks Modeling Award 1st Place: McMaster University
2nd Place: Ohio State University
3rd Place: Arizona State University - Siemens PLM Software Excellence Award 1st Place: Mississippi State University
2nd Place: Virginia Tech - dSPACE Embedded Success Award 1st Place: Ohio State University
2nd Place: McMaster University
3rd Place: Virginia Tech - AVL DRIVE Award 1st Place: McMaster University
2nd Place: Virginia Tech - Best Collaboration with a Clean Cities Coalition 1st Place: University of Alabama
2nd Place: University of Tennessee
3rd Place: Ohio State University
Year Three 2016-2017
Overall Awards
1st Place Overall – Ohio State University
2nd Place Overall – Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
3rd Place Overall – Georgia Tech
4th Place Overall – West Virginia University
Communications Awards
1st Place Communications Program – Mississippi State University
2nd Place Communications Program – University of Alabama
3rd Place Communications Program – West Virginia University
Best Communications Plan – Mississippi State University
Best Youth Outreach Report – Mississippi State University
1st Place Communications Presentation – Mississippi State University
Spirit of Communications – University of Tennessee
Most Creative Outreach – University of Washington
Project Management
1st Place Project Management Program – Ohio State University
2nd Place Project Management Program – Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
3rd Place Project Management Program – Virginia Tech
Best Execution Plan – Virginia Tech
Best Impact Report – Mississippi State University
1st Place Project Status Presentation – Ohio State University
Spirit of Project Management – West Virginia University
Pre-Competition Technical Deliverables
Best Fall Swimlane Report – Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University & University of Washington
Best Pre-Competition Safety & Technical Inspection – University of Waterloo
Best Innovation Research Papers – Ohio State University
Best ADAS Stereo Vision Tool Check – Penn State University & Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Competition Judged Events Presentations
1st Place Consumer Appeal Event – Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
1st Place Mechanical Systems Presentation – Georgia Tech
1st Place Controls & SMS Presentation & Demonstration – Georgia Tech
1st Place Electrical Systems Presentation – Ohio State University
1st Place Vehicle Design Review Event – Ohio State University
Competition Vehicle Events
1st Place 0-60 MPH Acceleration Event – University of Tennessee
1st Place 50-70 MPH Acceleration Event – University of Tennessee
1st Place 60-0 MPH Braking Event – Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
1st Place Autocross Event – Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
1st Place Handling Event – Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
1st Place Ride Quality Event – University of Tennessee
1st Place AVL Drive Quality Event – West Virginia University
1st Place ADAS Evaluation Event – Georgia Tech
TRC Best Energy Consumption Award – Ohio State University
Best Well-to-Wheel Greenhouse Gas Emissions Award – Ohio State University
California Air Resources Board Best Well-to-Wheel Criteria Emissions Award – Ohio State University
Best Well-to-Wheel Petroleum Energy Use Award – Ohio State University
Organizer Awards
Dr. Don Streit Sportsmanship Award – Colorado State University
Ron Stence Spirit of the Challenge Award – California State University, Los Angeles
Excellence in Leadership Award – McMaster University
Excellence in Leadership Award: Runner Up – University of Waterloo
Team to Watch Award – McMaster University
Sponsor Awards
NSF Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award – University of Tennessee
General Motors Women in Engineering Award – University of Alabama
General Motors Women in Engineering Rookie Award – University of Washington
1st Place NSF Diversity in Engineering Award – California State University, Los Angeles
2nd Place NSF Diversity in Engineering Award – Ohio State University
1st Place NSF Innovation Award – University of Washington
2nd Place NSF Innovation Award – McMaster University
3rd Place NSF Innovation Award – University of Alabama & Ohio State University
Snap-On Workmanship & Appearance Award – Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
1st Place MathWorks Modeling Award – Arizona State University
2nd Place MathWorks Modeling Award – Ohio State University
3rd Place MathWorks Modeling Award – University of Waterloo
1st Place Siemens PLM Software Excellence Award – McMaster University
2nd Place Siemens PLM Software Excellence Award – Mississippi State University
1st Place ETAS ECU Excellence Award – University of Washington
1st Place dSPACE Embedded Success Award – Ohio State University
2nd Place dSPACE Embedded Success Award – University of Waterloo
3rd Place dSPACE Embedded Success Award – McMaster University
Year Four 2017-2018
Overall Awards
1st Place Overall – Ohio State University
2nd Place Overall – West Virginia University
3rd Place Overall – University of Alabama
4th Place Overall – Virginia Tech
Communications Awards
1st Place Communications Program – Ohio State University
2nd Place Communications Program – University of Alabama
3rd Place Communications Program – Mississippi State University
Best Communications Plan – Ohio State University
Best Youth Outreach Report – Ohio State University
1st Place Communications Presentation – University of Alabama
Spirit of Communications – Wayne State University
Most Creative Outreach – University of Alabama
Project Management
1st Place Project Management Program – Virginia Tech
2nd Place Project Management Program – Georgia Tech
3rd Place Project Management Program – Mississippi State University
Best Execution Plan – Virginia Tech
Best Final Impact Report – Ohio State University
Best Influencer Marketing Materials – University of Alabama
1st Place Project Status Presentation – Georgia Tech
Spirit of Project Management – University of Alabama
Pre-Competition Technical Deliverables
Best Final Technical Report – Wayne State University
Best Final Technical Report: Runner Up – West Virginia University & University of Alabama
Best Emissions Testing Event Performance – Ohio State University
Best Emissions Testing Event Performance: Runner Up – Georgia Tech
NSF Best Innovation Research Papers – Ohio State University
Competition Judged Events Presentations
1st Place Consumer Appeal Event – Ohio State University
1st Place Mechanical Systems Presentation – Georgia Tech
1st Place Controls & SMS Presentation & Demonstration – Georgia Tech
1st ADAS Presentation – West Virginia University
1st Place Vehicle Design Review Event – Ohio State University
Competition Vehicle Events
1st Place 0-60 MPH Acceleration Event – Virginia Tech
1st Place 50-70 MPH Acceleration Event – University of Tennessee
1st Place 60-0 MPH Braking Event – University of Tennessee
1st Place Autocross Event – Virginia Tech
1st Place Handling Event – Virginia Tech
1st Place Ride Quality Event – University of Alabama & Penn State University
1st Place AVL Drive Quality Event – West Virginia University
1st Place ADAS Vehicle Demonstration Event – University of Tennessee
1st Place Over-the-Road Event – Ohio State University
TRC Best Energy Consumption Award – Ohio State University
Best Well-to-Wheel Greenhouse Gas Emissions Award – Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
California Air Resources Board Best Well-to-Wheel Criteria Emissions Award – Virginia Tech
Best Well-to-Wheel Petroleum Energy Use Award – Ohio State University
Organizer Awards
Dr. Don Streit Sportsmanship Award – University of Waterloo
Ron Stence Spirit of the Challenge Award – Penn State University
Excellence in Leadership Award – Georgia Tech
Excellence in Leadership Award: Runner Up – University of Alabama
Sponsor Awards
NSF Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award – Ohio State University
General Motors Women in Engineering Award – Georgia Tech
General Motors Women in Engineering Rookie Award – Ohio State University
1st Place NSF Diversity in Engineering Award – Ohio State University
2nd Place NSF Diversity in Engineering Award – McMaster University
1st Place NSF Innovation Award – Ohio State University
2nd Place NSF Innovation Award – West Virginia University
3rd Place NSF Innovation Award – University of Tennessee
Snap-On Workmanship & Appearance Award – University of Tennessee
1st Place MathWorks Modeling Award – Wayne State University
2nd Place MathWorks Modeling Award – Ohio State University
3rd Place MathWorks Modeling Award – Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
1st Place Siemens PLM Software Excellence Award – McMaster University
2nd Place Siemens PLM Software Excellence Award – University of Washington
1st Place ETAS ECU Excellence Award – Georgia Tech
2nd Place ETAS ECU Excellence Award – Arizona State University
1st Place dSPACE Embedded Success Award – Ohio State University
2nd Place dSPACE Embedded Success Award – Georgia Tech
GKN Lightest Weight/Best Value – University of Tennessee
Sponsors
Sponsors provide the hardware, software, training, and support the teams need to integrate technologies into their competition vehicles.
Below are the list of sponsors who helped make EcoCAR 3 possible:
EcoCAR 3 Media Coverage
Take a look back at the competition by reading previous press coverage, program materials and documents, publications, videos, and photos in the news and media section!
Select a tab above to view content
- Student Teams Build Green Camaros for Fun- and Good Jobs June 16, 2015
- Here’s the Chevy Camaro that UW students are re-engineering to improve fuel efficency June 4, 2015
- EcoCAR 3 Competition Enters Year Two: Students Up the Green Factor of the 2016 Chevy Camaro June 4, 2015
- UW students turning muscle car into 'green machine' June 4, 2015
- Freescale hosts environmental conscious competition January 15, 2015
- This Woman-Led Collegiate Team is Building an Eco-friendly Hybrid Camaro February 5, 2015
- Paving the Road for Automotive Advances November 3, 2014
- Sirius XM: Autos 0-60 Interview with EcoCAR 3 October 10, 2014
- Competitions create next generation of clean-car engineers October 1, 2014
- Engineering Students Turn the Chevy Camaro into a Hybrid Vehicle October 1, 2014
- What is Model-Based Design to The Ohio State EcoCAR team? October 1, 2014
- EcoCAR 3 Teams Will Re-Engineer a Chevrolet Camaro August 19, 2014
- Chevy Challenges Students to Build Electric and Hybrid Camaros August 18, 2014
- Can A Camaro’s Muscle Be Green? August 18, 2014
- Sirius XM: Autos 0-60 Interview with EcoCAR 3 October 10, 2014
- Competitions create next generation of clean-car engineers October 1, 2014
- Engineering Students Turn the Chevy Camaro into a Hybrid Vehicle October 1, 2014
- What is Model-Based Design to The Ohio State EcoCAR team? October 1, 2014
- EcoCAR 3 Teams Will Re-Engineer a Chevrolet Camaro August 19, 2014
- Chevy Challenges Students to Build Electric and Hybrid Camaros August 18, 2014
- Can A Camaro’s Muscle Be Green? August 18, 2014
- How Do You Make A Chevy Camaro Muscle Car Green? Students Have 4 Years To Try April 28, 2014
- Pennsylvania State University Students Selected for Collegiate Automotive Engineering Competition April 26, 2014
- Chevrolet Camaro Chosen As Official Vehicle For EcoCAR 3 Competition April 25, 2014
- EcoCAR 3 competition to use Chevy Camaro as base vehicle April 25, 2014
- EcoCAR 3 will convert Camaro to bitchin’ eco rides April 25, 2014
- GM donates Camaros 'EcoCar3' students April 25, 2014
- Can Students Turn A Chevy Camaro Into A Fuel-Sipper? April 24, 2014
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