Ohio State students highlight EcoCar project at Columbus Air Show

The Ohio State University students brought the future of mobility to the Columbus Air Show this summer, showcasing their work on the EcoCar Challenge and encouraging young people to explore opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The project is led by Ohio State in partnership with Wilberforce University, giving students from both institutions hands-on experience with advanced automotive technology and outreach opportunities in the community. 

 The EcoCar Challenge is a four-year competition that spans 13 universities across North America. Students are tasked with redesigning a Cadillac Lyriq, General Motors’ electric luxury SUV, to improve performance and efficiency while incorporating new autonomous driving features. Each team rebuilds and tests its vehicle before competing in evaluation events in Arizona, California and Michigan. 

 “We’ve rebuilt the car ourselves with new motors, and then we compete in Arizona, California and Michigan to determine which team built the best car,” said Brandon Verley, a second-year master’s student in mechanical engineering at Ohio State. 

Competing universities include Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, the University of Waterloo and McMaster University. Ohio State has been a longtime participant in the program, and the current partnership with Wilberforce University extends the impact of the project to more students in central Ohio. 

 While the competition emphasizes technical innovation, team members see equal value in engaging with the public. At the Columbus Air Show, students fielded questions from families about electric vehicles and autonomous driving technology while highlighting the opportunities STEM education can create. 

 “We’re out here doing outreach,” Verley said. “We like to hit events like this where we can talk about STEM and the benefits of moving forward in technology. A lot of people have come to us today talking about electric vehicles and autonomous driving.” 

 By connecting their classroom and laboratory work to the broader community, EcoCar students aim to show how university research contributes to industry innovation and inspires the next generation. 

 “It’s about showing people what’s possible,” Verley said.