UB selected to compete in EcoCAR Innovation Challenge

BUFFALO, N.Y. – The University at Buffalo has been selected as one of 20 universities across North America to compete in the EcoCAR Innovation Challenge, a program focused on advancing energy-efficient vehicle technologies and developing the next generation of auto-industry innovators.

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and managed by Argonne National Laboratory, the competition brings together auto industry leaders and university students to design and build next-generation automotive solutions using emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. The challenge begins this fall and will run through 2030.

Organizers say the competition is intended to help engineers bring together software, controls, advanced powertrains and overall system performance within a single vehicle platform. These capabilities are essential to modern vehicle design and development.

Participating teams will apply cutting-edge engineering to real vehicles while gaining the technical, leadership and project management skills needed for careers in automotive engineering, transportation and advanced manufacturing. They will collaborate with industry and technology partners, including General Motors, Stellantis and MathWorks.

"The Innovation Challenge is an investment in the next era of the American workforce," said Audrey Robertson, assistant secretary of energy who leads DOE's Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation. "This unprecedented collaboration between GM and Stellantis underscores the importance of building a skilled U.S. workforce and promoting innovation. We hope to fast-track technological breakthroughs, improve the competitiveness of the American auto industry, and expand the range of options available to American consumers."

As part of the competition, GM and Stellantis will sponsor separate tracks, giving students the opportunity to tackle different engineering challenges and work with vehicle platforms that reflect real-world market choices. MathWorks will support participants with model-based design and simulation tools widely used across the industry.

The UB team, a partnership between the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and the Office of Business and Entrepreneur Partnerships, will compete on the Stellantis track with a 2026 Jeep Cherokee hybrid.

It will be advised by Jim P. Zheng, SUNY Empire Innovation Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering, and led by six PhD students: Shri Harsha Adapala (computer science), Jingye Guo (electrical engineering), Patrick Johnson (electrical engineering), Ziyad Shahin (transportation systems engineering), Oakley Thomas (computer science) and Haosong Xiao (mechanical engineering).

Over four years, the team will develop new vehicle technologies through AI-enabled engineering systems, machine learning and high-performance computing. Their work will focus on modifying and optimizing propulsion systems, including designing and integrating electric motors and high-voltage battery systems.

“Our work at the UB School of Engineering and Applied Sciences is grounded in innovation and real-world impact,” said Kemper Lewis, PhD, dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. “We prepare engineers and scientists to move seamlessly from concept to execution, empowering them to develop meaningful solutions to complex challenges. Through our extensive partnerships with industry and leadership in advanced propulsion, power electronics, and AI-driven systems, we are uniquely positioned to drive breakthroughs that define the next generation of vehicles."

Participation in the EcoCAR Innovation Challenge aligns with UB’s broader commitment to workforce development and industry collaboration.

“UB is leading the advancement of nationally recognized apprenticeship models, proven success in job placement and internships and serves as a trusted advisor to federal, state and philanthropic leaders to advance scalable workforce policy,” said Stacey Johnson, director of Workforce and Economic Development in Business and Entrepreneur Partnerships at UB. “Above all, our work ensures that technical excellence translates into real-world readiness, industry relevance and long-term impact for students and industry partners alike.”

Additional UB supporters for the contest include Amazon Web Services, Cisco and Nanoramic.