Advancements and Future Challenges in Core Components of Electric and Hybrid Vehicles:

Electric and hybrid vehicles (EVs/HEVs) are increasingly recognized as promising solutions to address rising oil costs, environmental concerns, and the global pursuit of sustainable mobility. Alongside, there is still a need for a clear and comprehensive review of the technological advancements and ongoing challenges across the core components that influence their performance, efficiency and sustainability. This review aims to fill this gap by synthesizing recent developments and future challenges in EVs/HEVs systems, with a focus on energy storage technologies, power conversion, traction motors, and charging systems. The paper adopts a structured and comparative approach, beginning with the classification of electrification levels, covering hybrid, plug-in hybrid, battery, fuel cell, and extended-range EVs. Following this, the paper discusses energy storage systems, including batteries, supercapacitors, fuel cells, and hybrid configurations, highlighting their roles in improving energy density, efficiency, and reliability. Key power electronic converters are analyzed in depth, including DC/DC and DC/AC converters. The review also examines advances in electric traction motors, including induction, switched reluctance, permanent magnet synchronous, and permanent magnet assisted synchronous reluctance motors, each with distinct performance attributes. Finally, advancements in EVs charging systems are discussed, with a focus on both conductive and inductive charging methods. This work highlights recent technological progress, identifies ongoing challenges, and provides insights to support future developments in EVs/HEVs systems.