Harnessing polymeric materials for applications in electric vehicle with sustainability contributions and prospects

The accelerated global shift to EVs is revolutionizing the field of materials science, thereby making polymeric materials indispensable to all subsystems in EVs. In this context, this review provides a critical analysis of the evolution, classification, and applications of polymeric materials within the different EV subsystems, including structural composites, battery housing, thermal systems, insulation, and interior parts. Building on this classification, this review further highlights the latest advances made in the fields of fiber-reinforced polymer composites, engineering thermoplastic polymers, elastomers, bio-based, and recyclable polymers with specific performance criteria and associated challenges. Beyond their technical role, this review also focuses on aligning the technological advancements of such materials with the United Nations sustainable development goals (UN SDGs). This review also highlights relevant knowledge gaps in scaling up bio-based polymer production, the longevity of polymer housings for batteries subjected to thermal cycling, and the lack of a universally agreed-upon EV polymer recycling protocol.