Recent Advances and Challenges in Electric Vehicles and Charging Infrastructure: A Comprehensive Review

Global transportation sector is experiencing a profound transformation with the rapid adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) as a cleaner and more sustainable alternative to conventional internal combustion engine vehicles. Over the past decade, advances in battery technology, powertrain efficiency, and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) integration have significantly accelerated EV development and deployment. This comprehensive review summarizes recent technological innovations while also analyzing the critical challenges hindering large-scale EV adoption. Key obstacles include limited charging infrastructure, grid capacity constraints, standardization issues, high upfront costs, and concerns about charging convenience and range anxiety. Furthermore, disparities in urban and rural charging access raise concerns about equity and inclusiveness in the EV transition. Recent research and pilot programs demonstrate the potential of emerging solutions such as smart charging, wireless power transfer, micro grid integration, and coupling EV charging with renewable energy sources to alleviate grid stress and enhance sustainability. Additionally, innovative business models and policy interventions, including government incentives and standardization efforts, are essential to promote investment in fast-charging networks and interoperability. The integration of stationary energy storage systems, time-of-use pricing strategies, and advanced energy management systems offers promising pathways to achieve efficient load balancing and demand-side flexibility. Finally, future research should focus on harmonizing charging standards, enhancing user experience, and fostering cost-effective, large-scale deployment strategies to accelerate the global transition toward sustainable, electrified transportation systems.