From May 12–22, 2025, EcoCAR students, faculty, sponsors, and organizers gathered in Yuma, AZ, and San Diego, CA, for the EcoCAR EV Challenge Year 3 Competition. The event brought together over 130 representatives from 19 industry sponsors and 200 students from 13 North American teams—each of which had embarked on a mission to reengineer the 2023 Cadillac LYRIQ.
Stage 1: Dynamic Events & Track Testing – Yuma, AZ
Stage 1 took place at the General Motors Desert Proving Ground (DPG) in Yuma, where each team’s design and integration efforts came to life during rigorous vehicle testing events.
Teams put their vehicles through a series of dynamic events evaluating propulsion systems and Connected and Automated Vehicle (CAV) features. From the Consumer Ride & Drive event, which put judges in the driver’s seat acting as prospective car buyers, to the Connected Intersection Navigation Challenge, which evaluated Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) connectivity capabilities, teams showcased cutting-edge vehicle innovations throughout the competition.
Each team successfully passed the rigorous 300-line-item Vehicle Technical Inspections and cleared the low-speed On-Road Safety Evaluation, meeting critical safety and integration standards.
Additionally, all teams participated in the Consumer Appeal Ride and Drive event, where judges experienced the vehicles firsthand. Over the course of the week, teams collectively completed a total of 68 distinct vehicle events—an impressive testament to their technical capabilities and dedication.
Some of the top-performing teams included the Ohio State University and Wilberforce University team, which earned first place in both the Connected Intersection Navigation Challenge and the ACC Feature Evaluation; Georgia Tech, which took first place in the Consumer Ride & Drive and Driveability Evaluation; and the University of Alabama, which earned first place in the Thermal Derate Event.
Stage 2: Presentations & Team Celebrations – San Diego, CA
After showcasing their innovations on the test track in Yuma, teams traveled to San Diego for the second phase of the competition, where they delivered Static Presentations to industry judges highlighting each team’s work across Engineering, Project Management, Communications, and the Mobility Challenge—demonstrating both technical expertise and strategic thinking.
The Mississippi State University team took 1st Place Overall for both the Project Management and Mobility Challenge for their work in managing their vehicle milestones and for developing a Precision Hand Control (PHC) system as part of their EcoCAR project. Georgia Tech took home 1st Place Overall in Communications for their exceptional work in K-12 STEM Outreach, plan writing, and content development.
Throughout Stage 2, EcoCAR hosted a series of special events to celebrate the dedication and accomplishments of students, faculty, and sponsors. These gatherings provided moments of recognition, reflection, and community—hallmarks of what made the EcoCAR program so impactful.
Key events included a sponsored Award Luncheon, a Faculty Recognition Dinner, Team Appreciation Night – Sponsored by MathWorks and PACCAR. These events not only brought the EcoCAR community together but also highlighted the program’s deep commitment to fostering collaboration, innovation, and student success.
Year 3 Finale: Celebrating Excellence and Shaping the Future
The EcoCAR EV Challenge Year 3 Competition culminated on May 22 with a high-impact finale that brought together the full power of government, industry, and academia.
Sponsors had the exclusive opportunity to recruit the nation’s top talent in automotive engineering during the Sponsor Social Networking & Recruiting Event.
The excitement peaked at the Year-End Awards Ceremony, where key winners were announced, including those earning the top 3 overall:
- 3rd Place Overall – earning 683 points of 1000: University of Alabama
- 2nd Place Overall- earning 726 points of 1,000: Georgia Tech
- 1st Place Overall- earning 839 points of 1000: The Ohio State University and Wilberforce University Team
As Year 3 of the EcoCAR EV Challenge comes to a close, the program proudly reflects on the outstanding accomplishments of all participating teams. With eyes now set on the final year of the four-year competition, teams will build on their momentum to refine their vehicle systems, deepen their community outreach, and continue advancing mobility innovation.
Want to see the full list of award winners, event highlights, and media? Explore the Year 3 Competition HERE.
