About the EcoCAR Innovation Challenge
Western Michigan University’s EcoCAR team is a multidisciplinary student organization based in Kalamazoo, Michigan, competing in the General Motors Track of the EcoCAR Innovation Challenge. As the only Michigan University participating in the competition, WMU brings together students from engineering, computer science, business, and communications to gain hands-on experience developing the next generation of automotive technology.
WMU has a history with Advanced Vehicle Technology Competitions (AVTCs) dating back to the 1993–1995 Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) Challenge. During the 1994 competition, WMU placed sixth in the Saturn sedan conversion class. The EcoCAR Innovation Challenge marks the university’s return to AVTCs after more than 30 years, bringing new opportunities for students to build on that history.
The team is working with a 2026 Chevrolet Blazer EV, focusing on connected and automated vehicle technologies. Key areas of development include machine learning, vehicle controls, vehicle-to-everything communication, and vehicle safety. Students have access to WMU facilities, including the Energy Efficient and Autonomous Vehicle Lab, Parker-Hannifin Motion and Control Laboratory, and Center for Advanced Vehicle Design and Simulation.
Beyond vehicle development, WMU EcoCAR provides opportunities in project management, marketing and communications, business development, and product innovation. Through the Product Innovation Track, students explore how new technologies can be developed into real-world products and potential business opportunities.
One of WMU EcoCAR’s strengths is its connection to Michigan’s automotive industry. Through partnerships with General Motors, competition sponsors and regional industry professionals, students gain experience using industry-standard tools, collaborating across disciplines and solving real engineering challenges.
As WMU begins this new chapter in the EcoCAR competition, the team aims to build a lasting program that strengthens industry relationships, creates opportunities for students and prepares future leaders in automotive technology and innovation.
