REGISTER and read about the competition here.
For more than 30 years, the U.S. Department of Energy has sponsored Advanced Vehicle Technology Competitions in partnership with the North American auto industry. Featuring opportunities for both graduate and undergraduate students, these competitions stimulate the development of advanced propulsion and alternative fuel technologies and provide the training ground for the next generation of automotive engineers.
EcoCAR puts the students in the driver’s seat, providing a real-world training ground for students to gain hands-on experience following a multi-year vehicle development process to design, integrate and refine efficient mobility solutions.
EcoCAR is aimed at developing a highly skilled, domestic workforce by providing hands-on experience designing and building next-generation mobility solutions to meet our nation’s future energy and mobility challenges. Participating teams will apply advanced propulsion systems, electrification, SAE Level 2 automation, and vehicle connectivity to improve the energy efficiency of a 2019 Chevrolet Blazer – all while balancing factors such as emissions, safety, utility, and consumer acceptability. SAE Level 2 automation refers to a vehicle has combined automated functions, like acceleration and steering, but the driver must remain engaged with the driving task and monitor the environment at all times.