Comparative Analysis of Power Consumption in Electric and Autonomous Vehicles

Electric vehicles (EVs) and autonomous vehicles (AVs) are subject to increasing demands for sustainable transportation. In the current paper, a model design is developed that can fit both EV and AV applications. A comparative analysis is studied for power consumption between EVs and AVs, focusing on how the integration of autonomous systems influences energy efficiency. While both EVs and AVs contribute to sustainable transportation, the power demands of AVs are heightened due to the additional computational and sensor systems required for real-time decision-making and navigation. The study evaluates power consumption across several factors, including propulsion, sensor and onboard computation, and HVAC systems, under similar driving conditions. Results indicate that even when Avs and EVs have the same weight, AVs consume more power due to their advanced sensor suites and computational systems, leading to noticeable differences in power consumption across both urban and highway driving scenarios. The findings highlight the impact of automation on vehicle efficiency and provide insights into future design considerations for energy-efficient autonomous transportation. This paper aims to bridge existing gaps in the literature by offering a direct comparison of power usage between EVs and AVs, ultimately contributing to the development of more sustainable vehicle technologies.