Driving the Future: Technological Innovations and Challenges in Electric and Hybrid Vehicles

AbstractThe automotive industry is undergoing a significant transformation with the increasingadoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid vehicles (HVs). Driven by environmentalconcerns, advancements in battery technologies, government regulations, and shiftingconsumer preferences, the future of transportation is poised to be dominated by cleaner,more sustainable alternatives to traditional internal combustion engines (ICEs). This paperexplores the current state, technological trends, challenges, and future prospects of electricand hybrid vehicles, highlighting their role in shaping a sustainable mobility ecosystem. Keyinnovations such as solid-state batteries, regenerative braking, lightweight materials, andsmart energy management systems are examined. Furthermore, the study analyzes majorbarriers including high initial costs, limited charging infrastructure, battery lifecycleconcerns, and supply chain limitations for critical materials. By evaluating policyframeworks, industrial strategies, and emerging research directions, this paper provides acomprehensive understanding of the dynamics driving the transition towards greenertransportation.