Written By: Ashley Kronsell Oller
The EcoCAR Innovation Challenge is officially underway.
Today, EcoCAR teams from across North America gathered in Atlanta, Georgia, to kick off the four-year competition at the 2026 Fall Workshop. The three-day workshop brings students and faculty together with competition organizers, sponsors and industry professionals for training, networking and a first look at what’s ahead.
The morning began with a warm welcome from the program’s headline sponsors including Mike Laughlin, Technology Manager for the Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation Transportation Technologies Office at the U.S. Department of Energy; Bill Cawthorne, Chief Engineer at General Motors; Jon Darrow, Vice President of Propulsion Systems at Stellantis; Connell D’Souza, Manager of Education Programs at MathWorks; and Kristen Wahl, AVTC Director at Argonne National Laboratory. Speakers shared the opportunities ahead for students and the importance of the hands-on experience they’ll gain throughout the EcoCAR Innovation Challenge.
Through hands-on training and mentorship, students are diving into topics ranging from vehicle development and product innovation to marketing and communications and project management.
One of the highlights of the workshop is the Sponsor Networking & Recruitment Event, where students will connect with representatives from the companies supporting the EcoCAR Innovation Challenge. Students will learn more about careers in the automotive and technology industries, explore internship and full-time opportunities, and hear directly from industry professionals about the skills they’re looking for in the next generation of talent.
EcoCAR students and headline sponsors are also stepping into the spotlight during a Satellite Media Tour, connecting with media outlets in their universities’ local markets to share what they’re about to take on over the next four years.
This week marks the official beginning of four years of hands-on engineering, innovation and teamwork. Follow along on social media for updates throughout the workshop.
