A Review on Electric Vehicles: Technical, Environmental, and Economic Perspectives

To pursue a sustainable electric vehicle ecosystem, it is crucial to study operational principles, technical complications, environmental impacts, and economic repercussions individually and collectively. This review article provides an overview of the all-around analysis of the electric vehicle ecosystem with an integrated approach. The review begins with an in-depth introduction and a research methodology exploring various types of electric vehicles, analyzing their applications beyond transportation and their potential for sustainable integration. The technical aspects of electric vehicles are scrutinized, with a logical analysis of batteries, chargers, motors, and other components. The review also explores the novel coordinated vehicle-to-grid concept, offering valuable insights for its practical implementation. The paper discusses electric vehicle's environmental impact with quantitative analysis, which compares the ecological footprint against traditional vehicles, focusing on solar electric vehicles. Economic aspects of electric vehicle adoption are also examined, with a detailed analysis of regional markets, their spending on the electric vehicle ecosystem, and the total cost of ownership for electric vehicles. Finally, the review presents technical challenges related to high upfront costs, zero-emission vehicles, charging infrastructure, infotainment and connected vehicles, and charging technology. This review might be an indispensable tool for researchers and policymakers, offering a nuanced and comprehensive perspective.