Michigan State University EcoCAR Team finishes in sixth place at mobility challenge

The exceptional performance of the team in Yuma, Arizona, was acknowledged with top rankings for overall program management, program management presentation, and technical report. They also clinched the Best Workmanship (integrated vehicle) award. Jagdeo Singh, a mechanical engineering graduate student from Laurel, was nominated for a leadership award, and John Ball, an associate professor in the MSU Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Robert D. Guyton Chair, received the 2023-2024 Faculty Advisor Award.

Supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, General Motors, and the MathWorks, the competition, now in its second year of a four-year endeavor, tasks teams with creating a powerful and fuel-efficient vehicle. The first year focused on designing the architecture for a new Cadillac LYRIQ, while this year allowed teams to implement their design concepts in their competition vehicles. In the upcoming year, teams will refine their cars, with the final year concentrating on marketing in the EcoCAR competition.

Jason Keith, dean of the Bagley College of Engineering, praised the EcoCAR team at MSU for their achievements, highlighting the dedication and hard work of each student reflected in their outstanding results.

“The commitment and hard work demonstrated by all members of the MSU EcoCAR EV Challenge team were truly impressive. Their resilience during work in Yuma and the quality of their presentations to industry and government panels were exceptional,” he said. “We are excited to witness the team’s continued growth and success as they approach the competition’s third year.”

MSU has a rich history of accomplishments in EcoCAR competitions, part of the Advanced Vehicle Technology Competitions. MSU teams have claimed the national title four times and consistently perform well in various judging categories, encompassing technical expertise to communication and marketing skills.

The MSU EcoCAR team consists of over 60 students from 13 different majors, including mechanical engineering, electrical and computer engineering, aerospace engineering, industrial and systems engineering, computer science, cybersecurity, and business administration. The competition provides invaluable hands-on experience for students, preparing them for successful careers post-graduation. EcoCAR boasts a 100% employment rate for graduate students and a 98% employment rate for undergraduate students immediately after graduation.

For more details on the EcoCAR EV challenge, visit https://avtcseries.org/about-the-ecocar-ev-challenge/. To learn more about MSU’s EcoCAR team, follow them on Instagram @msuecocar.