ELECTRIC CARS: ANALYZING THE BENEFITS,

DRAWBACKS AND EXPLORING EMERGING

TECHNOLOGICAL TRENDS
Tuan Anh Nguyen – School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Hanoi University of Science and
Technology, Viet Nam
Email: anh.nt200038@sis.hust.edu.vn
1. INTRODUCTION
Humans were compelled to develop renewable energy sources by the current
climatic changes and global warming. This happens due to many factors, one of which
comes from emissions from vehicles. For many years, Internal combustion engines
(ICEs) have controlled the automotive industry, consolidating a market devoid of
rivals by making use of the logistics made possible by fuel supply, high levels of
independence, and low costs [1]. So the development of electric cars is inevitable and
marks a milestone in the transportation industry. The purpose of this study is to
examine the advantages and disadvantages of electric cars, as well as their difficulties
and the trends that will affect this ground-breaking means of transportation in the
future.
2. OVERVIEW OF ELECTRIC CARS
2.1. Definition and History:
2.1.1. Definition
An electric car is a vehicle that uses energy generated by electric motors. Instead of
consuming internal combustion engines that run on gasoline or diesel, electric cars use
energy supplied from a rechargeable battery pack.
2.1.2. Brief history of electric cars
The history of electric cars dates back to the early nineteenth century when
inventors started experimenting with battery-powered vehicles. In 1828, Hungarian
inventor Ányos Jedlik created a small-scale model car powered by an electric motor.
However, the development and adoption of electric cars remained slow during this
period due to limitations in battery technology.
It was not until the late nineteenth century that electric cars gained attention and
became more practical. In 1884, Thomas Parker, an English inventor, developed the
first electric car with rechargeable batteries. Shortly after, in 1890, William Morrison
introduced the first successful electric car in the United States.
 During the early twentieth century, electric cars witnessed a surge in popularity.
However, the rise of internal combustion engines and the availability of cheap
gasoline in the early nineties led to a decline in electric car production. In recent years,
electric cars have gained significant attention and popularity due to advancements in
environmental concerns and modern technology
2.2. Characteristics and types
2.2.1. Components of an electric car
The component layout varies typically depending on the type and brand of an
electric vehicle. However, in general, there are a few essential components that are
always present in this kind of green car, such as a charger, a controller, an electric
motor, and a battery [2]. It is depicted in Figure 1.

Figure 1: Components of an electric car

2.2.2. Classification types of electric car
Depending on how much they rely on electricity as a power source, electric cars
are divided into many sorts. There are now three main categories for electric cars
according to [4] :
o Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) which are entirely electric with
rechargeable. BEVs, also referred to as ‘plug-in’ cars, get their electricity
from an outside power supply for charging. They are electricity-only
vehicles without a gas engine, petrol tank, or exhaust pipe.
 o Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are propelled in part by electricity
and in part by gasoline. They are capable of regenerative braking and have
batteries that can be charged by an external outlet. In order to increase the
vehicle's range and replenish the battery, PHEVs additionally use a gas
engine.
o Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) are also combined gasoline and electricity
to run. They are distinct from PHEVs in that they exclusively use
regenerative braking to recharge their batteries. As driving, these electric
vehicles use their electric motor; but, as the load or speed increases, the
electric motor gets boosted by the gasoline engine.

Figure 2: Types of electric car

2.2.3. Charging system for electric cars
There are two main approaches to describe an electric car charging station: slow
charging point and fast charging point. However, according to several theories,
charging stations can be divided into four categories depending on their electrical
properties, charging times, and charging activity methods. Table 1 will show us the
classification of the charging system for electric cars:
 Table 1: Charging station classification [5]
3. ACCESSING THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF
ELECTRIC CARS COMPARED TO CARS RUNNING ON FOSSIL FUELS
3.1. Advantages:
3.1.1. Environmentally friendly
Among the major benefits of electric cars is their contribution to improving air
quality in cities and towns. Figure 3 depicts the US, China, and European carbon
dioxide emissions attributable to energy from 1983 to 2023. As pure electric cars do
not have exhaust pipes, they do not emit carbon dioxide released from the tailpipe
when they are driven. Air pollution is reduced by a considerable amount as a result.
Oil-powered vehicles emit greenhouse gases and other pollutants that harm the
environment and accelerate global warming. Acid rain, which has detrimental
environmental effects, is another result of the chemicals generated by internal
combustion vehicles.
 Figure 3: Carbon dioxide emissions in the United States, China, and Europe from
1983 to 2023 [6]
3.1.2. Cost Savings
According to [7], an electric car can save you up to $1000-$1500 per year
compared to a normal gas-powered car because it doesn’t require gasoline.
Furthermore, refueling an electric vehicle at home is much less expensive than doing it
at a petrol station. In the past, there has been a great deal of movement in the price of
oil, the average price of petrol has varied over the past decade from less than $1.50 to
more than $5 per gallon [7]. In comparison, the cost of electricity is far more steady,
and it more simple for people to plan forward and forecast energy expenses.
In addition, lower maintenance costs are a significant benefit of owning an electric
car. Traditional gasoline-fueled need regular service including system flushes, oil
changes, and other maintenance procedures. On the other side, electric cars have fewer
moving parts and require less general care. In comparison to gas-powered
automobiles, electric vehicles actually offer up to 35% reduced maintenance costs.
Lower maintenance has various benefits such as no requirement for replacing the oil
or any engine maintenance, lifespan of brakes and cars endure longer because their
engine parts see less damage from use. Therefore, it doesn’t require as often servicing
visits as a typical petrol-powered car.
3.1.3. Energy efficiency
Unlike conventional gas-powered autos, electric cars are more efficient. In
actuality, gas-powered cars only transfer 12%-30% of the energy kept in fuel into
power at the wheels, whereas electric ones convert over 77 % of electrical energy from
the electricity supply to power at the wheels [8]. As a result, electric cars are more
energy-efficient, which in turn lowers their costs because they use less energy to cover
the same distance.
3.1.4. Noise reduction
Architecture, speed, and the physical state of the road all have an impact on how
noisy an automobile sounds when driving. It's particularly true in cities, where there
are more vehicles on the road. On neighborhood streets, cars traveling at a speed of
about 30 mph often emit noise levels between 33 and 69 dB. Noise rates for cars going
at the usual highway speed of 70 mph can reach 89 dB. That would be the same as two
persons shouting at one another while conversing [9].
Because of the absence of internal combustion engines that produce noise and
vibration, electric automobiles have relatively low noise emissions when traveling at
low speeds. On traditional autos, when the piston pressure shifts, the engine creates an
internal combustion noise. Electric cars generate only noise when they are moving
because of the wind resistance on their wheels [10].

3.2. Disadvantages:
3.2.1. High initial cost
Compared to traditional automobiles, electric cars frequently have greater upfront
costs. Anyone can see why owning an electric vehicle is difficult by considering the
points listed below:
o Three essential parts make up an EV: the battery pack, the electric motor,
and the gearbox. The pack of batteries is the most expensive of the three
parts. Lithium-ion technique is being used in cars with batteries and has
been around for a while. The reason why lithium-ion is expensive is because
the material for batteries is hard to supply, in order to be collected and
handled. As a result, approximately 30–40% of the price of an electric car is
made up of a pack of batteries in relation to [11].
o Innovation and research: EVs are the subject of significant effort and
financial investment on the part of automakers. From the battery pack to the
wheels, every component must be specially created for a unique electric
vehicle. The result is that the automakers must raise the price to cover the
increased costs of production.
o High-tech: In contrast with a regular car, an electric vehicle's operating
system may be basic. But producing an electric vehicle requires
sophisticated and complicated technological advances.
3.2.2. Charging infrastructure problems
Particularly in particular regions or distant locations, the number of charging
stations may be limited. Owners of electric cars may find it difficult to locate
convenient charging stations due to this, especially when traveling long distances.
Charging infrastructure problems such as the lack of a well-developed and accessible
network, inconsistency of charging standards, capacity constraints, and high costs pose
significant challenges to the widespread adoption of electric cars.
3.2.3. Limited driving range
Unlike cars that are running on fossil fuels, electric cars frequently have a shorter
driving range. Most electric vehicles have a range of 200-490 km (124-304 miles) [12]
on a single charge. For long drives or daily commutes that involve a lot of driving, this
might be inconvenient. Although battery technology has improved over the years,
range might still be an issue for long-distance travel and the cost of electric vehicles
that can travel long distances is relatively high.
3.2.4. Longer charging time compared to refueling car
An electric car often requires more time to charge than it does to refuel with
gasoline or diesel. Even while charging a battery at home overnight is handy, using
normal charging stations can take many hours or even overnight to fully charge a low
battery. Although fast-charging stations are available, they are not as widespread.
Depending on the vehicle and the charger's capabilities, charging times can still range
from 4-6 hours [13]. Although filling up your petrol-powered car requires a few
minutes, it's still much faster than charging an electric car.
4. CHALLENGES IN DEVELOPING AND INFRASTRUCTURE FOR
ELECTRIC CARS:
4.1. Development challenges :
4.1.1. Consumer acceptance:
Consumer acceptance of electric cars can be hindered by various challenges.
Limited driving range and the lack of a well-developed charging infrastructure
contribute to range anxiety and inconvenience for consumers. The higher upfront cost
of electric cars compared to conventional vehicles is another barrier, along with the
limited model options available in the market. Additionally, the longer charging time
and the need to change driving habits and understand new technologies may deter
consumers. Concerns about the performance of electric cars and the perceived
limitations compared to traditional vehicles also impact consumer acceptance.
4.1.2. Government’s policy:
In contrast to petrol-powered cars, the electric car industry is still in its early
stages. The usage of electric cars is strongly encouraged by the government’s policy.
Many countries are putting in place a variety of measures to facilitate the launch of
electric cars and their market consolidation. These regulations and related laws deal
with taxing gasoline, reducing carbon emissions, providing public charging stations,
providing financial incentives and public subsidies, and supporting research and
development of electric vehicles.
4.2. Infrastructure limitations:
4.2.1. Network of charging stations
Electric cars are not supported by enough charging stations due to the limited
infrastructure. These stations require expensive and challenging installation of the
infrastructure. Infrastructure in the whole country will significantly change as a result
of electric cars. Despite recent improvements, the facility for charging vehicles is still
not as convenient or easily accessible as traditional gas stations. The majority of
charging still needs to be done at home, in a garage [14]. It’s very difficult for people
who live in apartments or parking in the street. If you're on a long journey and your
battery is out of charge, you can be stuck where you are because not many areas you
frequent will have to charge stations for your car. Besides, global fast charging would
put greater pressure on the electrical system and create a number of stability
challenges for power networks. The technical requirements for charging interfaces are
another area where there is confusion that makes development in charging
infrastructure hard [6].
4.2.2. Battery processing and recycling factory[done]
Despite electric cars becoming more and more popular, there is still no established
method for recycling their batteries. The International Energy Agency found that just
5% of lithium-ion batteries used in electric cars are now recycled [15]. Since lithium is
extremely rare and the need for it is only going to rise, this figure is alarming. There
aren't many recycling facilities that can take batteries from electric vehicles. Most
recycling facilities can only process the tiny lithium-ion batteries that are frequently
used in electronic devices.
4.3. Technologies challenges:
4.3.1. Improving charging speed
There are several issues with battery technology. It requires the coordinated
development of battery cells, electrode materials, electric car battery power systems,
charging stations, and electric grids. Additionally, charging infrastructure, grid
capacity, thermal management, safety considerations, financial implications, and
standardization make it difficult to increase the charging speed of electric automobiles.
It is crucial to create batteries that can withstand quicker charging rates while retaining
longevity and safety. To handle larger power levels, the infrastructure for charging
must be improved, and the grid's capacity must be increased. To avoid damage and
overheating, efficient thermal management systems must dissipate heat. To encourage
the broad use of rapid charging technologies, it is essential to ensure safety, control
prices, and provide standardized norms [16].
4.3.2. Increasing battery life cycle
Increasing the battery life cycle in an electric car makes various obstacles to
researchers and manufacturers are actively attempting to overcome such as
temperature control, state of charge management, cycle life versus energy density
tradeoff, and battery management system. Besides, extending the battery life cycle
may use more expensive materials and implementing a complex controller. It's a
constant struggle to maintain the price of electric vehicles for consumers affordable
while balancing the costs of extending battery life.
5. FUTURE TECHNOLOGY TRENDS
5.1. Advancements in battery technology
5.1.1. Solid-state batteries:
Solid-state batteries carry lithium ions between electrodes by using thin layers of
electrolytes. On the other hand, liquid electrolytes are used in commonly used lithium-
ion batteries [17]. By solving a customer issue: Distance, solid-state batteries have the
potential to hasten the transition to electric cars. Liquid lithium-ion batteries are
limited in their ability to store energy. Additionally, solid-state batteries are less prone
to catch fire because they don't have a liquid electrolyte. According to many car
makers, solid-state battery Cars will start appearing in some form around 2025, with
more on the way by 2030.
 Figure 4: Solid-state battery
5.2. Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology
While V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid) technology enables an electric car to share its battery
energy with the electrical grid, V2H (Vehicle-to-Home) technology allows an electric
vehicle to be utilized as an emergency power source for a home. The hardware that
enables directional electricity transmission, battery control software, and
communication modules between the car's terminal and the electrical system operator
make up the majority of the V2H and V2G systems [18]. When there is a power
outage, V2H helps to assure comfort and minimize discomfort, while V2G can help to
balance the load on the grid and offer adaptable support to the electrical system.

Figure 5: Overview of V2H and V2G infrastucture [19]

5.3. Development charging type and faster charging capabilities
5.3.1. Ultra-fast charging network
The current standard for fast charging is around 60-400 kW [20], but future ultra-
fast charging systems aim to exceed 350 kW and even reach 1 MW. This increase in
charging power allows for significantly faster charging times.
5.3.2. Wireless charging technology
A rising concept called wireless charging for electric vehicles intends to make
doing so even more simple and convenient. It transfers energy via electromagnetic
fields between a charging pad on the ground and a receiver on the automobile. Since
there are no actual cables or plugs involved, the charging pad can be used with a
vehicle parked over it. Figure shows the schematic of a typical stationary wireless
charging system.

Figure 6:Wireless charging system [6]

5.4. Integration of artificial intelligence and autonomous driving
5.4.1. AI intergration
The huge potential of AI has been quickly acknowledged by the automobile sector,
and its integration has already started to change the driving experience. The business
sector is entering a new era of innovation and safety because of AI.
The impacts of AI on the future of electric car:
o Maintenance Planning
o Energy Control
o Autonomous Driving
 o Battery Management
o Improved Safety
5.4.2. Improved auto-driving technology
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6. CONCLUSION
In the future, electric cars are expected to become the predominant mode of
transportation. This paper discusses a number of topics regarding electric cars,
including structure and type, advantages and disadvantages, challenges in
development, and future technologies for electric cars. Besides a lot of helpful benefits
like eco-friendly, cost savings, and energy efficiency, electric cars have faced some
drawbacks and challenges in developing and extending the electric car market.
Therefore, the development based on the available platforms plus policies to help
develop the infrastructure of electric cars will help it reach more users.
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