Illini EV Concept is a student-run automotive club at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, dedicated to advancing electric vehicle technology through research, design, and hands-on manufacturing. Our interdisciplinary team of engineers is passionate about sustainable energy and committed to building the most energy-efficient electric vehicles possible, entirely from scratch. In fact, we strive to have all of our car’s components custom-built by our team, allowing for increased creativity and precision.
Shell Eco Marathon
Every year, we embrace the challenge of designing, fabricating, and testing a vehicle for the Shell Eco-Marathon Americas Competition, which motivates us to push the limits of vehicle efficiency and innovation.
Competing in the Urban Concept Battery-Electric category, we focus on creating EVs that resemble modern passenger cars, driving innovation in electric vehicle technology and inspiring sustainable transportation solutions.
We also participate in the unique Autonomous Urban Concept Competition, where our team develops self-driving capabilities for our vehicle.
At Illini EV Concept, our team is organized into specialized subteams, each responsible for different areas of our vehicle. We use industry-standard software such as SolidWorks and KiCAD to design, build, and operate every system of our cars. With a strong emphasis on mentoring, experienced members guide newcomers through hands-on projects, helping them develop practical skills and expertise. This structure allows members to focus on specific aspects of the vehicle, gaining in-depth knowledge and taking on increased responsibilities as they collaborate across subteams.
Electrical Team
Handles the end-to-end development and manufacturing of all electrical systems, including battery management, telemetry boards, and motor controllers.
Mechanical Team
Designs and manufactures the body, drivetrain, suspension, brakes, and steering components to ensure optimal safety, reliability, and performance.
Embedded Team
Customizes and programs microcontroller-based systems to manage and control the car’s electronic functions, coordinating with the vehicle’s overall system.
Autonomous Team
Integrates systems for autonomous vehicle capabilities, focusing on computer vision, advanced planning algorithms, and specialized hardware for smooth operation.
Business Operations
Manages essential organizational needs such as internal consulting, inventory, purchases, sponsorships, accounting, and outreach, driving overall team efficiency and innovation.
