WVU participates in AVTC EcoCar EV Challenge

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) — West Virginia University is one of the 13 universities across the country to participate in this year’s AVTC EcoCar Electric Vehicle Challenge helping students gain industry experience in the classroom.

The EcoCar Electric Vehicle Challenge is sponsored by General Motors, the Department of Energy, and MathWorks as an automotive engineering education competition that takes place over four years.

Throughout the competition, students have the opportunity to modify and upgrade donated catalytic lyrics to propose a more efficient electric vehicle.

Bill Cawthorne, Assistant Chief Engineer Propulsion System at General Motors, said it’s important to get students involved in this competition because it gives them real-world experience.

“We’ve certainly seen that students come out of this program—it’s a bit cliché, but they hit the ground running. They’re able to contribute to the industry both for General Motors and in our wonderful sponsors, they’re able to contribute very quickly,” said Cawthorne.

You can keep up with the competition through AVTC’s website and by following EcoCar on social media.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com.