A multidimensional assessment of electrification in automotive powertrains: Technical, operational, and strategic perspectives

Global transportation is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by the convergence of decarbonization targets and advances in electrification technologies. Electrification, ranging from mild Hybrid Electric Vehicles (mHEVs) to Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), represents the main technological path in the transition from internal combustion engines. This transition is inherently multidimensional, simultaneously reshaping vehicle design, manufacturing systems, supply chains, customer value, and environmental outcomes in interconnected ways. Each architecture, including mHEV, Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV), and BEV, presents different tradeoffs in these dimensions, requiring a structured framework for systematic comparison. To address this gap, this work details an integrated framework that systematically compares electrification pathways across five interrelated dimensions: vehicle concepts, research and development, manufacturing and logistics, customer experience, and environmental footprint. This framework culminates in a decision matrix that consolidates trade-offs into a practical SWOT based tool for strategic planning. • A novel multi-dimensional framework is proposed to evaluate vehicle types (ICEV, mHEV, HEV, PHEV, BEV) across five key domains: concept architecture, R&D complexity, manufacturing and logistics, environmental footprint, and customer experience. • Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) represent a technological bridge, combining mature ICE systems with electrified components, balancing performance, cost, and regulatory demands. • Manufacturing and supply chain analysis reveals that while ICEV remains the most optimized, BEVs and PHEVs introduce logistical and safety complexities due to battery size, voltage, and specialized handling. • Environmental impact comparison challenges conventional narratives: under certain energy matrices, ICEVs powered by biofuels can be more sustainable than BEVs charged by fossil-based grids. • The framework supports strategic decision-making for OEMs and policymakers, providing a view of trade-offs and transition dynamics in vehicle electrification.