Electric Machines and Energy Storage: Over a Century of Technologies in Electric and Hybrid Electric Vehicles

Abstract

Electric vehicles (EVs) were among the first automobiles ever built. In fact, in 1900, over 30% of the 2,370 cars in New York, Chicago, and Boston were EVs (Sulzberger 2004). Efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and lightweight energy storage and conversion capabilities have been the main developmental barriers since the first EV circa 1884 (Chan 2002). The development and production of EVs and hybrid EVs (HEVs) has been extensively revisited in the last few decades due to recent developments in electric machine material and design, power electronic semiconductors and packaging, energy storage, thermal management, and microprocessors. Additionally, the rising need for more efficient and environment-friendly transportation has further contributed to this new surge of interest.