Illinois Institute of Technology’s EcoCAR team has advanced in the four-year EcoCAR EV Challenge, an initiative sponsored by the United States Department of Energy. The team was selected in May 2022 as one of 13 university groups to participate in this competition, which is now entering its final year.
Recently, thirteen members of the Illinois Tech team traveled to Arizona with their modified 2023 Cadillac LYRIQ to compete in the Year Three phase. During this stage, the team successfully passed vehicle technical inspection and completed most propulsion events.
Antonia Martinez, a fourth-year undergraduate and communications manager for the team, described the group’s progress: “We have continued to learn and improve even through the Year Three Competition. We were all very excited when we first got the motor to spin, everyone was excited and jumping around. It was definitely a highlight.”
The Illinois Tech EcoCAR team received second place in the Argonne AI Innovation Award as part of their efforts in this round.
Participating students included Martinez; Carter Anderson; Faith Busche; Mary Frampton; Grace Goodnough; Martin Harmon; Kelly Hitchcock; Samin Karim; Prasana Kalimuthu; Carlos Martin; and Elizabeth Wolny.
Martinez highlighted the benefits for students involved in EcoCAR: “Participating in EcoCAR is one of the best opportunities on campus to gain real-world experience and connect with industry leaders. The competition is sponsored by major companies—including General Motors, Argonne National Laboratory, and MathWorks—giving students the chance to collaborate directly with these organizations. Through hands-on projects, students use the same tools and software employed by professionals in the field, gaining valuable technical skills and industry insight that give them a leg up after graduation.”
In addition to their technical achievements, the team received the inaugural Outstanding Community Impact award in 2024 from EcoCAR Challenge organizers. This recognition was given for their work engaging with Chicago’s Bronzeville community through partnerships with organizations such as the Chicago Parks Foundation. Activities included park cleanups, volunteering at food drives, and participating in mentorship programs.