Written by: Ashley Kronsell Oller
Today marks the official start of the EcoCAR EV Challenge Year 3 Competition, taking place from May 12 to May 23, 2025, in Yuma, Arizona, and San Diego, California. Over the next two weeks, students, faculty, sponsors, and organizers from across North America will come together to showcase their progress transforming the 2023 Cadillac LYRIQ. Each of the 13 competing teams has engineered their LYRIQ to incorporate Connected and Automated Vehicle (CAV) technologies, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) connectivity, and other innovative technologies to analyze energy efficiency, leading to greater transportation energy affordability, reliability, and security.
“We are incredibly excited to see how the next generation of engineers will push the boundaries of automotive innovation throughout the Year 3 Competition. This program is a testament to the power of collaboration between students, industry leaders, and government,” said Jesse Alley, EcoCAR Sr Program Director at Argonne National Laboratory.
With 515 points left to be earned, 50 awards up for grabs, and $100,000 in prize money on the line—including the coveted overall 1st place title—the competition is sure to be a high-stakes, high-energy celebration of student innovation and collaboration.
Stage 1: Dynamic Events & Track Testing – Yuma, AZ
Stage 1 takes place at the General Motors Desert Proving Ground (DPG) in Yuma, where each team’s design and integration efforts come to life during rigorous vehicle testing events.
Before EcoCAR teams hit the track, they must prove their LYRIQ is road-ready. Each vehicle undergoes a Vehicle Technical Inspection (VTI), where industry sponsors from General Motors, Argonne, Magna, and AVL thoroughly examine everything from wiring and electrical systems to vehicle integration. Following VTI, vehicles undergo an On-Road Safety Evaluation, which includes dynamic testing of braking, handling, and overall readiness for on-track performance.
Teams will then put their vehicles through a series of dynamic events evaluating propulsion systems and CAV features. From Drivability, which assesses the vehicle powertrain’s response behavior, to the Connected Intersection Navigation challenge, which evaluates the Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) connectivity capabilities of team vehicles, showcasing cutting-edge vehicle innovation will be at the forefront.
Stage 1 will conclude on Saturday, May 17, with the Consumer Ride & Drive Event and University Administrator Day! The Consumer Ride & Drive will put judges in the driver’s seat. Acting as prospective car buyers, they’ll assess each LYRIQ’s consumer appeal, from interior comfort and infotainment systems to overall driving experience. This hands-on evaluation covers both form and function, with judges taking the vehicles for a spin to experience their real-world performance firsthand.
EcoCAR is also proud to welcome several university leaders to DPG. University administrators will experience the cutting-edge technology their students are developing firsthand. From touring GM’s world-class testing facilities to meeting with headline sponsors and even driving their team’s Cadillac LYRIQ on the track, this visit offers a powerful glimpse into the future of engineering education and innovation.
University Administrators include:
o James Gregory, Dean of College of Engineering – Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
o Lou Cattafesta, Dean, Armour College of Engineering, Illinois Tech
o Heather Sheardown, Dean of Engineering, McMaster University
o Clay Walden, Executive Director, Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems (CAVS), Mississippi State University
o Robert Green, Interim Dean at Bagley College of Engineering, Mississippi State University
o Lynda Brown-Wright, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Wilberforce University
o Cliff Henderson, Dean for the College of Engineering, Professor in Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Alabama
This experience underscores the EcoCAR EV Challenge’s role in shaping the next generation of industry-ready engineers while strengthening the ties between academia and innovation.
Stage 2: Presentations & Team Celebrations – San Diego, CA
After pushing the limits of innovation on the test track in Yuma, teams will head to San Diego, California, for the second phase of the competition, where they will deliver Static Presentations to industry judges. This stage is where technical excellence meets strategic communication, as each team presents its work across the EcoCAR EV Challenge’s four core disciplines: Engineering, Project Management, Communications, and the Mobility Challenge. These presentations are a critical component of the competition, providing teams with the opportunity to articulate the rationale behind their decisions, reflect on challenges, and demonstrate how they applied industry best practices.
The EcoCAR EV Challenge is made possible by the strong collaboration between government, industry, and academia. We are incredibly grateful to the sponsors and judges who bring their time, expertise, and support to this competition—offering students a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to connect with and learn from leaders at the forefront of the automotive industry.
Celebrating Achievement: EcoCAR Special Events
Throughout the competition, EcoCAR will host a series of special events to celebrate the dedication and accomplishments of our students, faculty, and sponsors. These gatherings offer moments of recognition, reflection, and community—hallmarks of what makes the EcoCAR program so impactful.
Key events include:
Sponsored Award Luncheon – A welcome lunch celebration recognizing recipients of 6 of the competition’s sponsored awards:
- 1st Place Final Technical Report – Sponsored by NXP
- 1st Place ACC Feature Evaluation – Sponsored by dSPACE
- Vehicle Integration Quality – Sponsored by AAM
- General Motors Women in STEM
- MathWorks Model-Based Design
- Argonne AI Innovation
Faculty Recognition Dinner – A night dedicated to honoring the incredible faculty advisors and mentors who guide and support their students throughout the EcoCAR journey.
Team Appreciation Night – Sponsored by MathWorks and PACCAR, this evening event gives students a chance to unwind, connect with peers, and celebrate all they’ve accomplished in Year 3.
These events not only bring the EcoCAR community together but also highlight 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 will culminate on May 22 with a high-impact finale that brings together the full power of government, industry, and academia. The day will kick off with the EcoCAR Industry Roundtable: Shaping the Future Workforce, where sponsors will engage in forward-looking dialogue about preparing the next generation of engineers.
Later in the day, students will have the exclusive opportunity to connect with representatives during the Sponsor Social Networking & Recruiting Event. This dynamic session provides sponsors with direct access to the nation’s top talent in automotive engineering.
The excitement will peak at the year-end Awards Ceremony, where teams will be recognized for their achievements across all subteams. Over $100,000 in prize money will be awarded, and one team will be crowned the Year 3 Champion of the EcoCAR EV Challenge. The Awards Ceremony will be LIVE STREAMED on YouTube for at-home viewers.
Stay tuned throughout the competition by following @ecocarchallenge on social media. Don’t miss a moment as we celebrate innovation, collaboration, and the future workforce.
