Build. Race. Lead.
Design and build a real electric vehicle. Run a team. Compete at the Waterloo EV Challenge.
Register NowWe don't just build a car.
We build an EV, run a team, and race at competition. Through engineering and business training, we prepare the next generation of builders, operators, and leaders.
"When you set out for Ithaca, hope the voyage is long, full of adventure, full of discovery."
- Cavafy
From Workshop to Track
Team Roles
Engineering Design
Racing & Test Driving
Assembly & Testing
Team Operations
Program Details
What You Walk Away With
Real engineering project experience
Design thinking, hands-on fabrication, and cross-discipline collaboration on a vehicle that actually races.
Business and leadership capabilities
Fundraising, sponsorship acquisition, resource management, and the experience of building a team from scratch.
Competitive university applications
A distinctive portfolio piece for top engineering and business programs across North America.
Waterloo EV Challenge 2027
Organized by the University of Waterloo Faculty of Engineering, the EV Challenge is a high school electric vehicle endurance race. Teams design, build, and drive their own EVs, evaluated on engineering quality, vehicle performance, driving strategy, and team collaboration.
Late May 2027 / University of Waterloo
Official competition pagePast Seasons
From first welds to race day at Waterloo.
Ready to Build Something Real?
Join the Ithaca EV Team and be part of a team that designs, builds, and races an electric vehicle.
Register Now
FAQ
Have more questions? Get in touch.
Students in Grades 8 through 11 in the Greater Toronto Area. We welcome anyone interested in engineering, automotive technology, or team-based projects. No prior experience is required.
No. The program teaches everything from the ground up. Roles span engineering design, assembly, test driving, and team operations. Every team member contributes regardless of technical background.
An electric vehicle endurance race organized by the University of Waterloo Faculty of Engineering. High school teams design, build, and race their own EVs. The 2027 competition is scheduled for late May.
Sessions run bi-weekly on Saturdays from September 2026 through May 2027. Morning session covers 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, afternoon session runs 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.
Beyond the EV itself, students gain project management skills, technical documentation experience, presentation abilities, and real sponsorship negotiation practice. These are portfolio-ready experiences for university applications.