Cal State LA has been selected as one of 20 universities in North America to compete in the EcoCAR Innovation Challenge, a prestigious U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) program that prepares the next generation of engineers to lead the future of transportation.

Cal State LA is the only university representing California in this four-year competition, which challenges students to design and build advanced mobility solutions using cutting-edge technologies, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, and exascale computing.

Managed by Argonne National Laboratory, the EcoCAR Innovation Challenge is the 15th installment of DOE’s Advanced Vehicle Technology Competitions (AVTC) series. The program provides an unparalleled, hands-on educational experience that has transformed the traditional classroom environment into a hub for automotive innovation.

“We are especially proud that Cal State LA is the only university in the state selected among 20 top institutions to compete in the EcoCAR Innovation Challenge,” said Masood Shahverdi, lead faculty advisor for EcoCAR at Cal State LA. “This opportunity will empower our students to lead and innovate in the rapidly evolving automotive and AI landscape.”

Other faculty advisors on the Cal State LA EcoCAR team include Chris Bachman, professor of mechanical engineering; David Blekhman, professor of technology; and Curtis Wang, professor of electrical and computer engineering.

This challenge marks a historic collaboration between two major automakers—General Motors (GM) and Stellantis—alongside technology partner MathWorks. Together with DOE and Argonne, the coalition aims to cultivate a highly skilled workforce and accelerate innovation in the U.S. auto industry.

“The Innovation Challenge is an investment in the next era of the American workforce,” said DOE’s Assistant Secretary of Energy (EERE) Audrey Robertson. “This unprecedented collaboration between GM and Stellantis underscores the importance of building a skilled U.S. workforce and promoting innovation.”

Participating teams will explore advanced propulsion system modifications, including the integration of electric motor systems and team-designed high-voltage batteries. Each automaker sponsors a distinct competition track, providing students with hands-on experience using industry-relevant vehicle platforms.

The Cal State LA team will compete in the Stellantis track, working with a 2026 Jeep Cherokee hybrid to gain experience integrating software, control systems, advanced powertrains, and user-centered design—skills critical to shaping the future of mobility.

“Our students don’t just learn theory—they gain hands-on experience developing the skill sets that simply can’t be replicated in a traditional classroom,” said Shahverdi. “These programs are transformative and open strong career opportunities.”

Cal State LA enters the competition with a proven track record in DOE’s EcoCAR program, including a second-place overall finish in EcoCAR 2 (2011–2014) for redesigning a Chevrolet Malibu into a plug-in hybrid.

The university was later selected as one of only 16 institutions—and the only Los Angeles representative—for EcoCAR 3 (2014–2018), which also received the South Coast Air Quality Management District Clean Air Education and Outreach Award.

“Being selected for the EcoCAR Innovation Challenge underscores Cal State LA’s leadership in mobility,” said ECST Dean Nancy Warter-Perez. “Our continued partnership with Stellantis helps prepare our students to lead the future of transportation.”

Please watch the EcoCar Innovation Challenge video for a recap of this year’s team and vehicle announcement. 

About EcoCAR Innovation Challenge

The EcoCAR Innovation Challenge is a DOE-sponsored Advanced Vehicle Technology Competition managed by Argonne National Laboratory. The program challenges university teams to apply cutting-edge engineering to real vehicles while developing the technical, leadership, and project management skills needed for careers in automotive engineering, transportation, and advanced manufacturing.

Additional partners and sponsors include MathWorks, Caterpillar, Siemens Digital Industries Software, dSPACE, Bosch, Altec, Hesse, and Volta Foundation.

About Cal State LA

California State University, Los Angeles is the premier comprehensive public university in the heart of Los Angeles. Cal State LA is ranked number one in the United States for the upward mobility of its students. Cal State LA is dedicated to engagement, service, and the public good, offering nationally recognized programs in science, the arts, business, criminal justice, engineering, nursing, education, and the humanities. Founded in 1947, the University serves more than 22,000 students and has more than 260,000 distinguished alumni.