UA EcoCAR Places in National Competition for Fourth Consecutive Year

The University of Alabama EcoCAR team has completed the final year of the EcoCAR EV Challenge, concluding four years of technological achievement.

Facilitated by the U.S. Department of Energy, the EcoCAR EV Challenge is a four-year automotive engineering competition. Fifteen universities across North America competed to engineer a next-generation battery electric vehicle designed to demonstrate the potential of advanced propulsion systems and connected and automated vehicle technologies. UA EcoCAR placed fourth overall among all competitors.

The competition poses a unique challenge to students: rather than fixing a damaged car, they are tasked with improving a fully functioning vehicle aligned with industry standards. During the 2023-2026 cycle, participating teams were presented with a 2023 Cadillac LYRIQ and charged with transforming it into a next-generation, semi-autonomous vehicle. Enhancements focused on implementing energy-efficient and customer-pleasing automated control features, refining the advanced powertrain, and improving charging and thermal systems to employ grid electricity.

Over the past four years, UA students have performed technical presentations, vehicle demonstrations, and project evaluations showcasing their achievements across engineering, communications and business disciplines. At the close of each academic year, all teams gather to compete in vehicle technical inspections, energy efficiency tests and a test drive. Directed by faculty advisors from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Dr. Paul Puzinauskas and Dr. Hwan-Sik Yoon, nine UA students representing a variety of academic disciplines competed in this year’s final event.

“Being able to compete against other teams in such an immersive environment allows us not only to build our own skills but also to learn from some of the brightest minds in the North American automotive industry,” said Sandra Onyishi, mobility challenge lead. “As a woman in STEM, the level of rigor and guidance has been unprecedented, and it is truly empowering to know that the work we do at UA can hold its own alongside other high-quality research institutions.”

UA EcoCAR 2026 Team:

• Communications manager: Lisé Badeaux, public relations and communication studies

• Propulsions control and modeling lead: Wes Campbell, mechanical engineering

• System design and integration lead: Tony Ciccone, mechanical engineering

• Engineering manager: Ryan Douglas, computer science and mathematics

• Project manager: Conner Hall, computer science and mathematics

• Mobility challenge lead: Sandra Chisom Onyishi, mechanical engineering

• Systems safety lead: Caden Schroder, mechanical engineering

• CAV research lead: Chanakya Thirumala Setty, computer science

• Connected and automated vehicles lead: Daniel Szurek, computer science

From May 11-21, 2026, teams gathered in Michigan to present the culmination of their work. Teams demonstrated their vehicle’s capabilities in a closed-course environment before completing an on-road endurance drive modeled after industry-standard buyoff rides. Vehicles were driven from Milford Proving Ground to General Motors headquarters in downtown Detroit before finishing at Saint John’s resort in Plymouth. UA EcoCAR successfully completed all vehicle events at General Motors’ Milford Proving Ground, testing propulsion systems, energy consumption and advanced driver assistance systems.

“The UA EcoCAR team put forth an outstanding effort during the final competition of the four-year EcoCAR EV Challenge,” said Puzinauskas. “I watched our students with great pride as they overcame significant mechanical challenges during testing week at GM’s Milford Proving Ground while tirelessly preparing year-end presentations — which they delivered flawlessly the following week.”

UA EcoCAR has consistently ranked highly in the competition, earning third overall in year 1, fourth overall in year 2 and third overall in year 3.The team also received first-place awards in communications, connected and automated vehicles, system design and integration, and numerous sponsored awards. The students’ innovative research has also been shared with international audiences at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Transportation Electrification Conference.

Outside of the EV Challenge, the team is committed to engaging with the local community and promoting workforce development. By mentoring local students, hosting STEM workshops and spreading awareness of careers in the automotive industry, the team’s members have spent countless hours preparing the next generation of innovators.

The upcoming 2026-2030 competition cycle will focus on improving battery design, vehicle performance and off-road capabilities with the 2026 Chevrolet Blazer EV.