Search
Close this search box.

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

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.

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!

Open Dropdown

Select a tab above to view content

None

None