EcoCAR Challenge

11/02/2026

Where can a student engineering competition lead? For Nilovna Sinha, it was one step on the path from Georgia Tech to Apple 📲

As a member of Georgia Tech’s EcoCAR EV Challenge team, Nilovna gained hands-on experience tackling real-world engineering challenges, including developing torque-splitting strategies for the team’s Cadillac LYRIQ.

Today, she’s a Signal Integrity Engineer for iPhone at Apple, where she continues to use the systems-level thinking she developed through EcoCAR.

Her advice to current and future students? Don’t be afraid to keep learning, even when you don’t have all the answers. Just be curious.

Explore Nilovna’s journey in our latest AVTC Where Are They Now spotlight! 👇

🔗 https://bit.ly/4BDLLH3

10/29/2026

📺 EcoCAR is making headlines!

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University student James Brophy was recently interviewed on WFTV Channel 9 Orlando alongside sponsor Bill Cawthorne from General Motors!

It's exciting to see EcoCAR Innovation Challenge students sharing their experiences and highlighting the opportunities that come from working alongside industry leaders. The EcoCAR Challenge empowers students to apply their classroom knowledge to real-world engineering challenges while preparing to shape the future of mobility.

We're proud of James and grateful to our industry sponsors, including General Motors, for helping students turn their passion for innovation into hands-on experience.

🎥 Check out the interview and join us in celebrating the next generation of automotive innovators.

10/26/2026

Building connections that drive innovation 🚙🚗

Argonne National Laboratory recently welcomed sponsor Intrepid Control Systems, Inc. for an in-depth look at the research and technologies shaping the future of mobility.

Led by Sam Thurston, HVB Organizer for EcoCAR, the visit featured tours of Argonne’s Smart Energy Plaza (SEP), charging and bidirectional equipment, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and dynamometer testing facilities, including the Heavy-Duty Dynamometer Test Facility. The group also explored the Advanced Mobility Technology Laboratory, where Argonne engineers are using Intrepid’s hardware and software to support automotive research.

Reflecting on the visit, Dan Lougheed, Executive Advisor of Branding and Marketing at Intrepid Control Systems, shared:

“There's a huge opportunity to collaborate further with the engineers at Argonne Laboratory. I look forward to coordinating a more in depth dialogue with Intrepid Control Systems engineers.”

Visits like these strengthen the connections between industry and research, creating opportunities to exchange knowledge, explore emerging technologies, and advance the next generation of automotive innovation.

Thank you to Intrepid Control Systems and Argonne National Laboratory for your continued collaboration and commitment to advancing vehicle technology! 🤝

10/23/2026

How do hands-on learning experiences and industry collaboration opportunities prepare students for careers in automotive engineering?

In this 11Alive Atlanta feature, Clifton Porter from the Georgia Tech EcoCar team joins Connell D'Souza, Manager of Education Programs at MathWorks, to spotlight the people and partnerships helping shape the next generation of automotive talent.

Through the EcoCAR Innovation Challenge, students gain practical engineering experience while connecting with industry professionals and exploring real-world mobility challenges.

🎥 Watch the segment to learn more about the future of America's automotive workforce: https://bit.ly/4dLSW5Q


KEF Media | Georgia Tech

The ECOCAR Innovation Challenge supports the auto industry's new tech evolution. | PAID CONTENT

10/22/2026

Building connections. Developing talent. Powering the future.

With more than 1,000 exhibitors bringing together innovators across the battery and advanced vehicle industries, The Battery Show is where conversations spark new ideas and new partnerships.

David Robertson of Argonne National Laboratory attended this year’s event to connect with industry leaders, engage with potential sponsors, and explore opportunities to advance the next generation of talent across automotive, energy storage, and critical materials.

One of the most exciting developments? Seeing former Battery Workforce Challenge participants transition from student innovators to industry professionals, which is a powerful reminder of what workforce development programs can accomplish.

Through programs like EcoCAR and the MineralWorks Challenge, industry partners can help prepare the next generation of engineers and innovators while contributing to the future of American automotive technology, energy storage, and domestic critical minerals supply chains.

Want to help shape the future workforce? Become a sponsor of the MineralWorks Challenge!
Email [email protected] to learn how your organization can get involved.

10/21/2026

Special Delivery! 🚙

All 10 General Motors track teams are getting behind the wheel of their 2026 Chevrolet Blazer EVs, kicking off an exciting new chapter in the EcoCAR Innovation Challenge.

Over the next four years, students will apply their skills to real-world vehicle development, exploring advanced propulsion and connected and automated vehicle technologies while preparing to lead the future of mobility. They will use this vehicle as their platform.

Follow along to see what they make possible!



Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Ecocar Team | Georgia Tech EcoCar | McMaster Engineering EcoCAR Challenge | MSU EcoCar | Penn State Advanced Vehicle Team | University of Alabama EcoCAR | Wisconsin Autonomous | West Virginia University EcoCAR Challenge

10/19/2026

We’re thrilled to welcome eight new program sponsors to the EcoCAR Innovation Challenge! 🚗🚙

Our new sponsors are:
American Battery Technology Company
Cohda Wireless
DENSO North America
Dynamic Map Platform
Gamma Technologies
Intrepid Control Systems, Inc.
Growth Innovation Strategy
Vibration Research Corporation

Through these partnerships, students will continue to gain opportunities to apply their skills, learn from industry professionals, and tackle real-world challenges shaping the future of automotive technology.

🤝 By bringing together students, universities, industry, and government, EcoCAR is helping prepare the next generation of engineers and innovators to make an impact.

A big thank-you to our new sponsors for supporting student innovation and workforce development!

Follow along as our teams begin this exciting new chapter, and read more about it: https://bit.ly/47uzLKg

10/15/2026

Great engineering takes collaboration, creativity and the right support along the way 🤝

We're excited to recognize the MathWorks mentors supporting all 20 teams across both the General Motors and Stellantis North America tracks of the EcoCAR Innovation Challenge!

By sharing their technical knowledge and expertise, these mentors will help students strengthen their approach to model-based design and simulation, and apply real-world innovative tools to vehicle development challenges.

The MathWorks mentors are:
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University: Julien Darrah, Principal Application Engineer
Georgia Tech University: Sam Reinsel, Senior Student Programs Engineer
McMaster University and University of Wisconsin Madison: Jordan Olsen, Senior Application Engineer - AI & Controls
Mississippi State University and Virginia Tech University: Kunal Patil, Automated Driving Virtual Simulation Specialist
Penn State University: Don Bradfield, Senior Application Engineer
University of Alabama: Brandon Stevens, Senior Advanced Solutions Engineer
Western Michigan University and West Virginia University: Riyadh Kenaya, Principal Application Engineer
California State University Los Angeles and Louisiana State University: Bao Nguyen, Principal Application Engineer - DO-178C Code Generation & Verification
Colorado School of Mines: Josh Orlando, Senior Application Engineer - Verification & Validation
Ohio State University and Texas A&M University: Dakai Hu, Principal Application Engineer
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and University of North Carolina Charlotte: Kevin Burns, Senior System Application Engineer
University at Buffalo: Kevin Oshiro, Principal Application Engineer
University of Tennessee Knoxville and University of Waterloo: Fred Jaquelin, Principal Technical Account Manager

Their support connects teams across the competition and helps students build the technical software skills needed to tackle the next four years of the challenge.

A big thank-you to our MathWorks mentors for sharing their knowledge and helping empower the next generation of automotive engineers! 🚗 🚙

🔗 Read more about them all: https://bit.ly/4hUXKqV

10/14/2026

Behind every great learning experience is a community willing to invest in what's next. 🤝

We're proud to recognize the Stellantis North America mentors supporting the EcoCAR Innovation Challenge!

The Stellantis mentors are:
California State University, Los Angeles: Manu Srikrishna, Engineering Manager - Body, Exterior, Hardware & Safety Systems and Brian Castillo, Battery Validation Engineer
Colorado School of Mines: John Buchanan, Propulsion Systems Calibration Technical Team Lead and Haikuan Qiu, Global Responsible - Core Platforms & HW Integration
LSU: Jeff Fenoseff, High Voltage Battery Pack Root Cause Analysis Manager and Andrew Koerber, HV Module Design Release Engineer
The Ohio State University: David Delisle, Cell Product Engineer and Prasad Kumbhar, Lead Development and Release Engineer - HV Battery
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology: Matt Leyland, OBD Calibration Engineer and Vivek Ramachandran, Global BMS System Lead (Technical Program Management)
Texas A&M University: Rebecca Kemp, Global Controls Manager, Propulsion Systems and Srihari Gangaraj, Product Development & Technology
University at Buffalo: Raj Dhar, Vehicle Onboard Charger Systems Engineer and Luke Anderson, Vehicle Onboard Charger Systems Engineer
UNC Charlotte: Shashank Rai, PSU V6 Quality and War Room Manager and Chase Williams, Development & Validation Engineer
University of Tennessee, Knoxville: Brent Stoner, SRT Application Calibration Technical Team Lead and Weixing Zhou, Power Electronics Charging System Subject Matter Expert
University of Waterloo: Satyam Panchal, Senior Advanced Battery Modeling Lead, Fiat-Chrysler and Julian Summers-Doniver, Transient Emissions V2V Test Engineer

By helping bridge the gap between education and industry, their support gives students the opportunity to put their skills to the test, learn from real-world challenges and prepare for careers in a rapidly evolving automotive landscape.

Read more about them here: https://bit.ly/4B1kr5m

Next up, our MathWorks mentors for all 20 participating teams 🚗🚙

10/13/2026

Great innovation starts with great people! 🤝 🚙

We're excited to introduce the mentors supporting the General Motors Track of the EcoCAR Innovation Challenge.

By sharing their industry knowledge, technical expertise and professional experience, these mentors will help students navigate real-world vehicle technology challenges and prepare for careers in the evolving automotive industry.

The mentors are:
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University: Tom Gorgia, Current Generation High Voltage Battery: Warranty Systems Engineer
Georgia Tech: Ed Argalas, AVD Chassis Controls Lead Engineer
McMaster University: Julie Pan, Engineering Group Manager
Mississippi State University: Gary Rushton, Senior Staff Systems Engineer
Penn State: Jason Ekelmann, Manager, Advanced Build and Integration
The University of Alabama: Patrick DiGioacchino, Software Developer, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)
University of Wisconsin-Madison: Mark Lazar, Engineering Group Manager
Virginia Tech: Lynn Gantt, Manager–Vehicle Software Ex*****on
Western Michigan University: Roberto de Paula, Vehicle System Engineer
West Virginia University: Jessica Swan, Engineering Group Manager–Propulsion System Interface Calibration

We're proud to bring students and industry professionals together to shape the future of vehicle innovation.

🔗 Read more about them here: https://bit.ly/4hHGQgu

Join us in celebrating the people making this experience possible, and follow along as we introduce our other mentors from Stellantis and MathWorks!