EcoCAR Challenge

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EcoCAR Challenge

The latest Advanced Vehicle Technology Competition sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, General Motors and MathWorks.

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06/17/2026

🏆 Congratulations to Dr. Roydon Fraser of the UWAFT - University of Waterloo Alternative Fuels Team, recipient of the 2025–2026 Outstanding EcoCAR Faculty Advisor Award!

This year's recognition marks a remarkable milestone: 30 years of leadership, mentorship, and service to Advanced Vehicle Technology Competitions.

Throughout his career, Dr. Fraser has empowered generations of students to take ownership of complex engineering challenges, connect classroom learning with real-world experience, and grow into leaders across industry, research, and entrepreneurship. His impact can be seen in the vehicles his teams have built, the companies his former students have launched, and the countless engineers he has inspired along the way.

Thank you, Dr. Fraser, for three decades of shaping the future workforce and advancing the next generation of mobility innovators.

🔗 Read the full story: https://avtcseries.org/news-media/dr-roydon-fraser-of-the-university-of-waterloo-receives-2025-2026-outstanding-ecocar-faculty-advisor/

06/15/2026

Advanced Vehicle Technology Competitions (AVTCs) took center stage at , highlighting the research, innovation, and workforce development emerging from these programs. From the keynote stage to technical sessions and the expo floor, AVTC students, faculty, alumni, and program leaders from Argonne National Laboratory demonstrated the growing impact of experiential learning in developing the future transportation workforce.

EcoCAR Program Director Jesse Alley delivered a keynote presentation, “Developing the Automotive Workforce: Past, Present and Future,” highlighting Argonne’s role in leading large-scale workforce development initiatives bringing together government, industry, and university partners through programs like the EcoCAR EV Challenge and Battery Workforce Challenge.

The conference also featured research emerging directly from the AVTC programs, including technical work presented by Ajay Suresh on battery management systems. In total, AVTC students and faculty contributed more than 31 technical papers and posters, demonstrating the depth of innovation and research taking place across the competitions.

Attendees also had the opportunity to explore three student-built Cadillac LYRIQs on the expo floor, offering a firsthand look at how students are applying classroom knowledge to real-world vehicle development.

🔗 Learn how AVTC students, faculty, and program leaders made an impact at ITEC 2026: https://avtcseries.org/news-media/developing-the-future-workforce-avtcs-impact-at-itec-2026/

06/12/2026

Congratulations to this year’s EcoCAR sponsored award winners! 🎉

These awards recognize excellence across a wide range of disciplines, from artificial intelligence, and model based design to vehicle integration and communications.

A special thank you to our sponsors for their continued support of the competition and for investing in the next generation of engineers, communicators, and industry leaders. Through these awards, sponsors not only recognize outstanding achievement but also help inspire students to pursue excellence and innovation.

Congratulations to all of this year’s recipients:
🏆 Argonne AI Innovation Award: Virginia Tech EcoCAR
🏆 MathWorks Model Based Design Award: 🥇 Virginia Tech EcoCAR | 🥈 University of Alabama EcoCAR
🏆 General Motors Women in STEM Award: 🥇Aisha Chaudhry, McMaster University EcoCAR|🥈Milenna Raposo, McMaster University EcoCAR
🏆 Best Final Vehicle Integration – Sponsored by AAM: Illinois Tech EcoCAR
🏆 Connected Driving Evaluation – Sponsored by dSPACE: Georgia Tech EcoCAR
🏆 System Design and Integration Presentation – Sponsored by Magna: Georgia Tech EcoCAR
🏆 Communications Presentation – Sponsored by Bosch: McMaster University EcoCAR
🏆 Final Technical Report – Sponsored by NXP: Ohio State University & Wilberforce University EcoCAR
🏆Thermal Control Excellence – Sponsored by TCCI: Georgia Tech EcoCAR and University of Alabama EcoCAR

06/10/2026

The future of transportation starts with the people preparing to lead it.

At the IEEE Transportation Electrification Conference and Expo, EcoCAR Program Director Jesse Alley delivered a keynote presentation, “Developing the Automotive Workforce: Past, Present and Future.”

His presentation highlighted Argonne National Laboratory's leadership in managing the U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Vehicle Technology Competitions (AVTCs) and coordinating a consortium of government, industry, and university partners to deliver these workforce development programs and help prepare the next generation of automotive engineers and mobility professionals.

From the origins of the AVTC program to the student-led innovation taking place today through the EcoCAR EV Challenge and Battery Workforce Challenge, these competitions have helped build a pipeline of highly skilled automotive talent.

Through stories of student achievement and industry collaboration, Jesse demonstrated how AVTC participants are doing more than learning about transportation technologies, they are gaining the experience, skills, and leadership capabilities needed to help shape the industry's future.

Stay tuned to see more of AVTCs at !

06/08/2026

Behind every team participating in the EcoCAR EV Challenge is a group of dedicated mentors helping students navigate real-world engineering challenges to prepare for industry careers.

A special thank you to our General Motors mentors for sharing their expertise, supporting student growth, and helping bridge the gap between the classroom and the automotive industry. Your mentorship plays a critical role in shaping the next generation of mobility leaders. We’re grateful for the time, knowledge, and passion you bring to this program each year.

06/05/2026

Congratulations to EcoCAR’s 2026 graduates! 🎓

This year, 75 graduating students completed their EcoCAR journey. From tackling complex engineering challenges to achieving major competition milestones, their dedication, innovation, and perseverance have helped shape the success of the EcoCAR EV Challenge and left a lasting impact on the program.

We look forward to seeing the contributions you will make as the next generation of industry leaders.

06/03/2026

Technical expertise. Leadership. Confidence. Impact.

At the EcoCAR EV Challenge Year 4 Competition, the General Motors Women in STEM Award recognized students whose contributions are advancing automotive engineering while strengthening the teams and communities around them.

Meet General Motors Women in STEM Award recipients Aisha Chaudhry and Milenna Raposo from McMaster Engineering EcoCAR Challenge. Their impact extends beyond the vehicle, demonstrating how technical excellence, mentorship, and leadership can elevate entire teams and inspire the next generation of engineers.

Read their stories and learn how they are helping define the next generation of engineering excellence.

🔗 Read the full story: https://avtcseries.org/news-media/general-motors-celebrates-women-in-stem-during-the-ecocar-ev-challenge/

06/01/2026

Through a combined $16.9 million investment and more than 1,000 hours of in-person training, mentorship, and professional development, EcoCAR EV Challenge sponsors helped prepare students for careers in the automotive and tech industries while creating an unmatched hands-on learning experience.

Thank you to the organizations that helped make EcoCAR EV Challenge possible: DOE, GM, MathWorks, ANL, AAM, dSPACE, Magna, CARB, PACCAR, Bosch, NXP, AVL, DENSO, Siemens, TCCI, Dataspeed, Speedgoat, Infineon, Schaeffler, tesa tape, Amphenol, Judd Wire, OxTS, Altec, Vector, Consumer Reports, Cohda Wireless, and UICO.

The impact of your support will continue far beyond this competition and into the careers and innovations these students will help create for years to come.

05/29/2026

From Detroit to Ypsilanti, the EcoCAR EV Challenge Year 4 Competition marked the final chapter of a four-year journey redefining the future of advanced mobility. ⚡🚘

Teams completed rigorous vehicle evaluations at the General Motors Milford Proving Ground, demonstrating the performance, safety, and capability of their reengineered Cadillac LYRIQs. They then took their vehicles on-road, navigating real-world driving conditions on the journey to Hudson's Detroit, GM's global HQ.
Beyond the vehicle, students presented their engineering, project management, and communications accomplishments to industry judges and sponsors, demonstrating not only what they built, but how they brought it to life.

🎥 Watch this year’s recap video to see the moments, milestones, and memories that made the EcoCAR EV Challenge an unforgettable experience for everyone involved.

05/27/2026

Driving the Future Forward: GM Leadership Connects with EcoCAR Students ⚡

At the EcoCAR EV Challenge Year 4 Competition, teams had the opportunity to connect with Sterling Anderson, Executive Vice President, Global Product and Chief Product Officer and Mike Anderson, Vice President, Global Battery and Propulsion Engineering from General Motors. Sterling and Mike met with students, explored team vehicles, and discussed the future of advanced mobility innovation.

As a driving force behind the progress in automated vehicle technologies, GM plays a critical role in shaping the future of mobility. That real-world perspective is what makes EcoCAR so impactful. We thank the leaders from GM for taking the time to connect and bridge the gap between the classroom and the industry. 🤝

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