Students from The University of Alabama’s EcoCAR EV challenge team recently drove up in their 2023 Cadillac LYRIQ electric vehicle filled with donations for the New Heights Community Resource Center.
The fundraiser was a first for the team, but they knew they wanted to help local students in some way.
“Pack the LYRIQ was the perfect way to give back to our local schools and helps us exemplify the mission of EcoCAR and the University,” said Jackson Olmstead, the team’s community outreach coordinator. “This was a rewarding project for our local students and educators and we hope to continue making this project a reality in future years of the competition.”
The UA EcoCAR team comprises engineering, business and communications students who work collaboratively to create innovative solutions that address real-world sustainability issues. The team is part of a national three-year competition to engineer a next-generation electric vehicle that uses automation and vehicle-to-everything connectivity.
The team raised $1,100 through a campus fundraiser to purchase supplies to donate along with $350 to the center, which features new, free clothing and household items for Tuscaloosa City Schools’ students and their families who might be in need.