Arizona State University leads the Center for Efficient Vehicles and Sustainable Transportation Systems (EVSTS), a National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded effort to engage automotive companies in researching vehicle energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. The EVSTS center, launched in 2016 through the NSF’s Industry-University Cooperative Research Center program, is a collaborative effort between Arizona State University, The University of Alabama, University of Louisville, and The University of Texas at Austin. The center’s industry-relevant research program aims to yield transformational improvements in the energy efficiency and environmental sustainability of ground vehicles -- specifically passenger cars, trucks, and motorized nonroad equipment. Its research program encompasses vehicle-level technologies and transportation system infrastructure, reflecting the complexity and global nature of the automotive and ground transportation industries.
 
The center is a blend of academic, industrial, and government partners who work together to engage in applied, pre-competitive research in five technical focus areas: 1) electrified vehicle powertrains, 2) conventional powertrains and alternative fuels, 3) non-powertrain vehicle systems optimization, 4) efficient / sustainable autonomous vehicles, and 5) transportation systems and infrastructure. In addition to its central research mission, the EVSTS Center has ambitious goals to engage underrepresented groups in vehicle-related engineering and technology areas; improve automotive industry education, professional development, and workforce training; and increase the economic competitiveness of the United States in this critical industry. Target industry members include major stakeholders in the automotive/ground transportation industry, including original equipment vehicle manufacturers, component and system suppliers, energy providers, fleet operators, infrastructure and service providers, industry associations, local and state governments, and federal research laboratories.