EcoCAR Challenge

09/25/2026

🎥 It’s Media Day!

Today, the EcoCAR Innovation Challenge takes its message of innovation and workforce development to a larger audience.

As part of the 2026 Fall Workshop, several key leaders are joining media outlets for a satellite media tour focused on the future of transportation, and the people who will drive it forward. They are:
U.S. Department of Energy Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation Special Advisor Andrew Freigang
Argonne National Laboratory Associate Lab Director Claus Daniel
General Motors Chief Engineer William Cawthorne
Stellantis VP of Propulsion Systems Jon Darrow
MathWorks Manager of Education Programs Connell D’Souza

From hands-on learning to national sponsor partnerships, today’s conversations spotlight how Advanced Vehicle Technology Competitions are helping prepare the next generation of engineers, innovators and technical leaders for careers shaping America’s transportation future.

With more than 150 students, faculty, and industry sponsors gathered for the Fall Workshop, the message is clear: investing in talent today helps build the technologies and workforce of tomorrow.

Stay tuned for highlights from today’s conversations 🚗

09/25/2026

🚙 Day 2 of the EcoCAR Innovation Challenge Fall Workshop 2026 is happening NOW! 🚗

Students are continuing to learn, collaborate, and build the skills they’ll take with them throughout the challenge and beyond.

Swipe through for a look at today’s sessions! ➡️



General Motors | Stellantis | Growth Innovation Strategy | Argonne National Laboratory | Vibration Research Corporation | Intrepid Control Systems, Inc.

09/25/2026

Today was Day 1 of the EcoCAR Innovation Challenge Fall Workshop 2026! 🚗

This is just the beginning of another opportunity for students to connect, collaborate, learn from industry experts, and put their engineering and innovation skills into action.

To capture the moment, our teams joined in on the “My First Day” photo trend 📸

We’re excited to see the ideas and solutions that emerge throughout the workshop as students work toward advancing the future of vehicle technology.

💡 Let the innovation begin.



General Motors | Stellantis

09/24/2026

🚗 The EcoCAR Innovation Challenge Fall Workshop 2026 is officially underway!

We’re kicking things off with our headline sponsors before diving into a full day of workshops, learning and collaboration. And tonight, students will have the chance to connect with the industry professionals who help make this program possible at our sponsor social networking event.

🔗 Read all about the Fall Workshop kickoff: https://bit.ly/4hkAyBX

Written By: Ashley Kronsell Oller The EcoCAR Innovation Challenge is officially underway. Today, EcoCAR teams from across North America gathered in Atlanta, Georgia, to kick off the four-year competition at […]

09/24/2026

Day 1 of the EcoCAR Innovation Challenge Fall Workshop 2026 is underway! 🚗🚙

Students are learning, connecting and gaining skills they can take beyond the classroom.

Swipe through to see some of today’s key training sessions. Which one are you most excited to attend? ⬇️



General Motors | Stellantis | CRIMSON agency | Growth Innovation Strategy | Michigan State University

09/21/2026

One experience can change the way students see their future.

🚗​ The EcoCAR Innovation Challenge helps students build confidence, gain real-world experience, connect with industry leaders and prepare for careers they’re passionate about.

Come discover the impact for yourself at Fall Workshop 2026!

09/18/2026

We’re excited and honored to welcome an incredible lineup of industry and government leaders as keynote speakers at the EcoCAR Innovation Challenge Fall Workshop 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia! 🚗

Join us as we bring together the leaders shaping the future of vehicle technology and the next generation of engineering talent:
🎤 Andrew Freigang, Special Advisor, U.S. Department of U.S. Department of Energy Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation
🎤 Claus Daniel, Associate Lab Director, Argonne National Laboratory
🎤 William Cawthorne, Chief Engineer, General Motors
🎤 Jon Darrow, VP Propulsion Systems, Stellantis North America
🎤 Connell D’Souza, Manager of Education Programs, MathWorks
🎤 Mike Laughlin, Technology Manager, U.S. Department of Energy
🎤 Kristen Wahl, AVTC Director, Argonne
🎤 Jesse Alley, GM Vehicle Track Director; EcoCAR Innovation Challenge Program Director, Argonne
🎤 Ryan Melsert, CEO; CTO, American Battery (ABTC)
🎤 Lucas Shoults, Stellantis Vehicle Track Director; Product Innovation Track Director, Argonne

We’re looking forward to an inspiring workshop filled with innovation, collaboration and insights that will help prepare these students for the next four years of competition.

Atlanta, here we come ✈️

09/17/2026

We’re looking back at a great couple of days of presentations, knowledge sharing and innovation at ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) DRIVN 2026.

David Ord and Jesse Alley of Argonne National Laboratory presented at technical sessions highlighting mobility solutions, advanced vehicle technologies and workforce development through the EcoCAR EV Challenge and Battery Workforce Challenge.

The best part? Seeing EcoCAR students take the stage to present their own technical work and share what they’ve been building.

We’re proud of the students, mentors and partners who continue to push the future of mobility forward!

09/17/2026

One week to go! 🚗​

The countdown is on to the EcoCAR Innovation Challenge Fall Workshop in Atlanta, September 24-26!​

In just one week, students, faculty, and industry partners will come together for three days of learning, collaboration and innovation as we kick off another exciting year of EcoCAR.​

We’re looking forward to seeing the EcoCAR community together again. See you in Atlanta! 👋​

09/16/2026

These are the next generation of engineers, and their universities have been chosen for the General Motors track in the new EcoCAR Innovation Challenge.​
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🚗 The 10 GM track teams will use the 2026 Chevrolet Blazer EV as their platform to develop team-designed automated driving features and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) connectivity solutions, gaining hands-on experience with connected and automated vehicle technologies.​

We’re looking forward to the real-world solutions these bright students create.​