EcoCAR

North America's Premier Collegiate Automotive Engineering Competition

Mississippi State undergraduate and graduate students are participating in the final year of the EcoCAR EV Challenge, where they are reengineering a Cadillac LYRIQ to advance electric vehicle technology, automation, and mobility through real-world, hands-on experience.

The EcoCAR EV Challenge focuses on reengineering a Cadillac LYRIQ to improve efficiency, autonomy, and equitable mobility while maintaining strong performance.

The Mississippi State University EcoCAR team is a student-led organization that develops future leaders in engineering and business — who can design, build and market fuel-efficient and eco-friendly vehicles.

Continually selected as one of 16 North American universities to compete in the EcoCAR competition, MSU teams placed first overall in 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2012, and maintain high ranks within presentation and event categories.

The current competition, the EcoCAR EV Challenge, launched in 2022 and tasks teams with reengineering a Cadillac LYRIQ to enhance energy efficiency, incorporate advanced driver-assistance systems, and embed equity-centered design solutions.

Now in its final year, the Mississippi State team continues to build on its strong legacy in EcoCAR competitions by pushing the boundaries of innovation, collaboration, and real-world engineering. Our goal is not only to deliver a high-performing vehicle, but also to set the stage for future student success in both the classroom and the automotive industry.

CLICK TO FOLLOW THE MSU TEAM'S PROGRESS

EcoCAR EV Challenge Year Three team leads with faculty advisors Dr. John Ball and Alejandro Martinez.

Through building the car of tomorrow, we bridge the gap between academia and industry today

The EcoCAR 2 competition, themed ‘Plugging into the Future,’ tasked teams with converting a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu into a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle that reduced fuel use and emissions while maintaining performance.

With team members hailing from different academic disciplines, the competition has a university-wide reach, uniting students for the common goal of engineering a successful EcoCAR.

Although strongly focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, team responsibilities include skillsets focused on project management, communication, innovation, controls, and simulation, among others, allowing any Mississippi State student to find their place working with EcoCAR.

To get involved with Mississippi State’s EcoCAR EV Challenge team, contact Project Manager Agustin Troncoso.

For questions about team activities, outreach events, or media inquiries, reach out to Communications Manager Grace McQuirter.

Key sponsors supporting the EcoCAR EV Challenge include the U.S. Department of Energy, General Motors, and MathWorks. Learn more about the EcoCAR EV Challenge here.

The team members representing MSU in EcoCAR: The NeXt Challenge converted a Saturn Vue into an extended-range electric vehicle focused on energy efficiency and emissions reduction.