The EcoCAR Dynamometer Vehicle Testing Event marked a major milestone for teams as they validated their vehicle systems and analyzed energy consumption in a professional testing environment using state-of-the-art dynamometers. Designed to mirror industry-standard evaluation practices, the event included three critical testing activities that assess each LYRIQ’s performance across multiple real-world scenarios.
Over the course of the event, teams leveraged 240 available hours of dynamometer testing, with each of the 12 attending teams allocated up to 20 hours to validate performance and refine their systems.
The PropSys Energy Consumption Evaluation Testing provided teams with the opportunity to test propulsion system integration and software on a dynamometer. Teams gained hands-on experience with vehicle setup on a dyno and learned the procedures used in electric vehicle certification testing.
The PropSys Energy Consumption Evaluation consists of two core tests which examine EV range and energy consumption. Team vehicles will also be assessed by using a combination of dynamometer and on-road evaluations, with the on-road evaluations to be completed at the Year 4 Competition. Together, these tests help teams assess energy consumption performance while validating system integration and control strategies in a controlled environment.
The CAV Energy Consumption Evaluation Testing Event focused on longitudinal connected and automated vehicle features. Utilizing simulation tools provided by dSPACE, teams evaluated their systems on a dynamometer through three scored tests:
- A CAV dyno functionality test, which includes two scenarios for teams to test the functionality of their CAV features to ensure they were fully operational before additional testing.
- A multi-intersection AIN energy consumption evaluation, which utilized a 3D visualization map based on Chicago’s Roosevelt Rd and road network.
- A CACC/ACC energy consumption evaluation, where tests focused on a combined Urban Dynamometer Driving Schedule (UDDS) and Highway Fuel Economy Driving Schedule (HWFET) to analyze the LYRIQ’s performance while following a lead vehicle during city and highway driving.
The Thermal Derate Testing Event challenged teams to make controlled calibration changes to evaluate diagnostics and mitigation strategies during an overheating scenario without pushing hardware to its physical limits. This type of testing reflects standard industry practice for calibration engineers and ensures that vehicle software and overall functionality respond as intended.
Teams were evaluated not only on technical execution, but also on the smoothness of torque derating and the overall driver experience as propulsion torque was reduced during the event. The team vehicle that performed the best in this event will be awarded the Thermal Excellence Award – Sponsored by TCCI, at the Year 4 Competition.
In addition to vehicle testing, the EcoCAR event featured a Sponsor Day and Innovation Showcase, bringing together government, industry, and higher education to strengthen collaboration across the mobility ecosystem.
Sponsor Day provided a unique opportunity for partners to join teams during dynamometer testing, creating space for meaningful dialogue between students, sponsors, and researchers while offering real-time insight into vehicle performance and system integration.
The Innovation Showcase further expanded those connections, featuring 24 presenters highlighting ongoing research and emerging technologies across the advanced mobility landscape.
Research discussions spanned a wide range of technical focus areas, including advanced powertrain systems, air pollution mitigation, AI and machine learning applications, connected and automated vehicles (CAVs), medium- and heavy-duty vehicle technologies, and Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication. Together, these conversations encouraged knowledge sharing, highlighted emerging research priorities, and laid the groundwork for future partnerships across the advanced mobility community.
With dynamometer testing complete, teams now turn their focus to final vehicle refinements as they prepare for the Year 4 Competition. As teams move from controlled testing environments to final competition readiness, the lessons learned during this milestone event will play a critical role in ensuring each LYRIQ delivers strong performance, efficiency, and technical excellence. The road to the series finale is now well underway, and teams are entering the final phase with momentum, data-driven insight, and a clear path forward.
Photos from the EcoCAR Dynamometer Vehicle Testing Event can be found HERE.
