Introduction
Electric vehicles are steadily replacing petrol-driven ones as the world turns towards sustainability and an environment-friendly lifestyle. Emissions caused by standard fuels negatively impact climate change, and the continuing growth of the human population enables industries to seek alternatives to the older energy sources. The number of electric cars worldwide grew by more than 40% during the last three years as the consumers shifted their perception of the transport’s value and efficiency (Feng and Magee, 2020). The tendency is beneficial for the related industries, and their project management strategies must rely on the recent relevant peer-reviewed articles and energy, materials, and sustainability studies.
Research about the advancements and improvements in electric car technology is widely based on solving the issues that disrupt the vehicles’ wider distribution or negatively impact their price. Innovations are studied and reviewed in the literature related to materials mining and utilisation because the lithium used in machines, batteries and electric power for charging has not been explored well yet. Moreover, a considerable volume of research also belongs to the environment, and ecology scientists as the wide distribution of electric cars is a valuable part of the worldwide movement towards better sustainability. Lastly, different countries explore the production and utilisation of alternative energy in transport to publish reviews and reports sharing and comparing their experience (Hua et al., 2020). Reviewing the literature and studying the current findings is crucial for industrial and business project management because the awareness of issues and tendencies results in higher competitive advantage and optimal financial decision-making.
Electric vehicle technologies rapidly innovate, and studying the peer-reviewed literature for the last three years is the appropriate strategy for identifying current advancements and improvements. Electric power research is published in famous scientific journals such as “Energy,” “International Journal of Energy Research,” and “Energy Policy.” The way how the alternative resource-driven cars influence the environment and climate change issue is analysed and presented in “Sustainability,” “Atmospheric Environment,” and “Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions.” The international implementation experience and strategies the manufacturing companies create to improve materials use are explored in multiple studies. For instance, the research by Wanitschke and Hoffmann identified the problematic aspects of the industry. This literature report aims to explore the latest studies about advancements and improvements in electric cars technology based on practical, environmental, and innovation aspects and critically appraise their research methodology and relevance.
Critical Appraisal of Literature
The innovations that benefit electric cars can be explored and analysed by comparing the technology to combustion engine-driven vehicles. Indeed, the review conducted by Verma et al. in 2021 revealed that electric energy motor has a longer lifecycle than conventional one due to the use of software and renewable energy (Verma and Kumar, 2021). Furthermore, literature reviews reveal the current conditions on markets, manufacturing trends, and issues around alternative motors implementation (Feng and Magee, 2020). The researchers also concluded that the production of alternative cars has additional costs, and technological improvements should aim to reduce the volume of raw materials necessary for batteries. Differences between electric and petrol cars were also analysed in the study “Comparison of the overall energy efficiency for internal combustion engine vehicles and electric vehicles” by Albatayneh et al. in 2020. The peer-reviewed article provided evidence that the alternative cars’ well to wheel efficiency ranged from 13 to 31 percent, which is lower than the petrol motors’ (Albatayneh et al., 2020). However, electric vehicles have higher efficiency in general because of the innovations that optimise their size and materials used.
Manufacturers and scientists widely discuss electric cars’ batteries production and utilisation due to the uncertainties around the technology. In the research paper by Wanitschke and Hoffmann (2020), the influence of low-carbon solutions is discussed, emphasising that the petrol-based motors’ use is also not fully-explored. The uncertainty is the beneficial driver for technological development and future studies for electric cars advance. Electric cars’ efficiency and development are broadly studied from the perspective of physical and material science, and recent peer-reviewed literature submits the alternative energy technologies advance.
The research about fuel cell electric vehicles efficiency conducted by Muthukumar et al. (2021) suggested that the technology is beneficial for automobiles and should be used by key manufacturers such as Tesla and Volvo. An international review about cars advancements and development conducted by Sun et al. (2020) provided additional considerations regarding the future of cars, emphasising the importance of the reliability of lithium battery-driven vehicles. Electric cars production is a valuable step towards optimised resources consumption and technological improvement.
The advancements of electric vehicles are widely studied from the sustainability perspective. Their outcomes suggest that the key to the ecologically appropriate future is replacing petrol energy with electricity. Moreover, research by Müller (2019) was published in Sustainability in 2019 and explored the use of battery-electric cars in Europe, China, and the USA. The author determined the connection between citizens’ acceptance of alternative energy sources, ecological initiatives and the electric vehicles demand (Müller, 2019). Electric motors developers receive massive support from environment protection organisations as alternative energy is a proven way to reduce the emissions-related damage and address the severe climate change.
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the innovations’ development and implementation worldwide, affecting electric cars production and distribution. In the article written by Arribas-Ibar, Nylund, and Brem (2021) published in “Sustainability,” the crisis’s influence on alternative energy vehicles was described to identify the strategies to deal with challenges. Arribas-Ibar, Nylund, and Brem claim that “due to the pandemic, consumers have had to rapidly learn to use and adopt new technologies, thus positively to affect their perceptions of novelties such as electric vehicles” (2021, p.1319). The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in increased interest in improving the environment and decreasing the health and ecology risks in the future.
International experience in manufacturing and utilising electric cars technology is presented in peer-reviewed literature as it provides the scientists with information for further research. The analysis of European experience on Germany’s example, conducted by Luca de Tena and Pregger (2018), suggested that by 2050, Germany will need to get 10% more energy for supporting electricity-driven automobiles, yet renewable energy will be a significant advantage for their manufacturing industries. Additionally, Guo and Zhou’s article “Residual value analysis of plug-in vehicles in the United States” explored how companies build the electric cars market to make them affordable for average citizens (Guo and Zhou, 2019). The American example emphasises that battery-electric vehicles would increase their advantages for consumers if manufactured and distributed in the same country. Asian experience, especially Chinese, is also described in recent scientific articles, and a study by Du et al. (2018) defined the governmental regulation of production as the main factor influencing the quality of electric cars. Furthermore, Asian countries have unique transportation and energy logistics; thus, their solutions are different from European and American ones.
Critical Evaluation of the Research Methods
Research methods selection is based on hypothesis and purpose; thus, exploration of advancements and improvements in electric cars technology is performed in various ways. The topic allows scientists of diverse subjects to conduct descriptive, experimental, correlational and causal-comparative studies and use a theoretical or practical approach to gather and analyse the data (Hua et al., 2020). For instance, quantitative methods can be selected to calculate the statistics of electric vehicle use in different countries, while the qualitative ones address the specific manufacturing or technological development strategies. Critical evaluation of the research methods used by the scientists to explore the advancements in electric cars technology provides additional evidence on the subject and approves the studies’ credibility.
Different research methods are used in the selected peer-reviewed articles because multiple perspectives on researching the advancements of electric cars technology were identified for a more detailed exploration. Indeed, quantitative studies analysed the economic value of novel vehicles in different countries and showed evidence of the alternative energy’s impact on climate change. Guo and Zhou’s article “Residual value analysis of plug-in vehicles in the United States” used statistical models as the principal methodology to reveal how the cars are being manufactured and distributed nationwide (Guo and Zhou, 2019). The selected strategy is beneficial and appropriate for identifying the fundamental tendencies and providing evidence-based information about the current market conditions.
Quantitative methods were also used in Arribas-Ibar, Nylund and Brem’s study “The risk of dissolution of sustainable innovation ecosystems in times of crisis: The electric vehicle during the COVID-19 pandemic.” Scientists compared statistical data of electric-battery car use and production in calm times to the challenging ones to retrieve the patterns and develop recommendations (Arribas-Ibar, Nylund and Brem, 2021). The methodology is appropriate because numerical data is perceived as valuable evidence for making predictions and identifying issues. Electric energy is claimed to be the most resource-savvy mechanism, and the study conducted by Zhang et al. applied a quantitative analytical strategy to explore how alternative vehicles work. In the article “Quantitative analysis of the energy-saving mechanism of a hybrid electric tracked vehicle by an analytical method,” the energy-saving ratio was calculated through tracked data (Zhang et al., 2021). Then, the retrieved statistics were used for defining the potential to consume less electricity (Zhang et al., 2021). The quantitative method addresses the study’s aim to count the mechanism’s capabilities, and using an analytical equation is appropriate for getting the results.
Qualitative research methodology enables scientists to work with non-numeral data and allows them to draw complicated conclusions, approve various hypotheses simultaneously, and get unexpected results. The approach is frequently used for practical studies where specific interventions are observed, or the tendencies analysed semantically rather than through statistics. Exploration of advancements and improvements in electric car technology can benefit from qualitative methodologies, and the selected articles prove the importance of such research. For instance, the study “Impact of electric vehicles on a future renewable energy-based power system in Europe with a focus on Germany” is based on the implications scenarios’ analysis (Luca de Tena and Pregger, 2018). The qualitative methodology is beneficial and appropriate for the research because it provides a non-statistical forecast of the power systems’ utilisation by 2050 (Luca de Tena and Pregger, 2018). If the quantitative data was used, it could not provide sufficient evidence to predict the outcomes.
Qualitative research is also beneficial for comparison-based studies because it provides a foundation for detailed characterisation of subject matter and enables the scientists to use multiple analysis approaches. Indeed, Albatayne et al. (2020) used the methodology to contrast the technology of the electric vehicle to the combustion engine ones to reveal the former’s beneficence for sustainability. Qualitative research included the well to wheel efficiency evaluation and interventions to calculate the two types of motors’ ranges, which could not be performed if the quantitative design was selected.
The strategies to analyze how the technologies work and evolve are beneficial to be performed qualitatively as the methodology allows to collect and analyze a broader scope of information. Indeed, the study conducted by Sun et al. explored how replacing oil with electric energy to reduce air pollution drives modern vehicles’ technological efficiency and safety (Sun et al., 2020). Comparing diverse power sources and their costs for vehicles’ use and production revealed that the change towards electricity-driven cars is a driver for innovation (Sun et al., 2020). The qualitative methodology is appropriate for the research because scientists analyzed multiple variables and used various types of analysis to prove their hypothesis about the electric vehicles’ beneficence.
Qualitative methods such as observations and case studies can provide the scientists with significant evidence and data sufficient to describe and analyse electric cars’ characteristics. In the article “Insights into the characteristics of technologies and industrialisation for plug-in electric cars in China,” Du et al. (2018) conducted a comprehensive and depth-insight description of industrialisation processes. The authors identified critical characteristics of the latest electric vehicles produced in China and revealed the related issues (Du et al., 2018). While the qualitative method is appropriate in the study, it would benefit from the mixed design because the revealed problems’ prevalence and urgency require statistical calculation and approval.
Mixed research methods are the recent tendency as technological development allows modern scientists to include diverse data collection and analysis types without impacting the time or resources necessary for completing the study. Four of the selected articles about improvements in electric car technology are based on both qualitative and quantitative approaches for making evidence-based conclusions and submitting their hypotheses. Indeed, Müller’s research “Comparing technology acceptance for autonomous vehicles, battery electric vehicles, and car sharing—a study across Europe, China, and North America” is conducted with mixed methodologies. The author combined the statistics about the countries’ markets – a quantitative approach, with the analysis of citizens’ surveys about their perception of the alternative energy use – qualitative one (Müller, 2019). The use of mixed methods is appropriate for the study because it provides sufficient evidence for identifying the technology acceptance.
Mixed methods are used in more comprehensive studies and are appropriate when the scientists state multiple research questions or hypotheses to approve. In the article “Are battery electric vehicles the future? An uncertainty comparison with hydrogen and combustion engines”, the authors aimed to describe the uncertainties of technology development and compare the prevalence of electricity-based technology use (Wanitschke and Hoffmann, 2020). The quantitative aspect of research provides sufficient data to state the urgency and value of the study, while the qualitative and descriptive parts characterise the selected uncertainties. The paper written by Muthukumar et al. (2021) included mixed methods as it explored distinct aspects of electric cars technology such as the emissions reduction and the fuel cell systems implementation by modern companies. The combination of diverse data collection and analysis strategies is an appropriate strategy because it allowed the scientists to reveal current tendencies and develop recommendations for car manufacturers.
Combining qualitative and quantitative methods is beneficial for the research where a hypothesis is explored through intervention, which requires numerical analysis. For instance, the study conducted by Ramea in 2019 used a mixed design to monitor the utilization and evaluate the efficiency of hydrogen fueling stations. The research aimed to prove that a demand-focused strategy for fueling is worth developing for electric cars to improve drivers’ experience and vehicles’ energy consumption (Ramea, 2019). Mixed methods are appropriate because they allow the scientist to create an evidence-based intervention and track its results.
Conclusion
The topic of advancements and improvements in electric car technology has already been explored from various perspectives, and the rapid innovations in the related industries broaden the scope of subjects to study. The alternative automobile engine is widely used in China, Germany, and United States, and the companies such as Tesla and Volvo continue improving their manufacturing strategies. Researchers used different methodologies to collect data and identify the current process for technological development and address the obstacles that prevent the average use of electric vehicles. The current challenges are difficulties in mining raw materials such as lithium and international automobile production. The most efficient strategies for further development are optimising manufacturing tools and popularising alternative engine use.
The literature review report provided sufficient evidence about the benefits of using electric automobiles in sustainability and economics. Indeed, alternative energy use significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions and was a proven efficient strategy to address climate change. However, sustainability-related studies suggested considering the hazardous production of vital elements such as batteries, as their harm to the environment is significant. In comparison to combustion engine vehicles, electric ones are capable of using recyclable energy and therefore can impact the future of the economy worldwide. Countries such as the United States and China demonstrate that the overall conditions of transporting and electricity consumption are the significant factor that can either disrupt or improve the electric cars technology development.
Critical appraisal of the research methods is beneficial for studying how diverse types of data analysis help scientists reveal challenges, forecast trends, and identify recent tendencies of advancing electric car technologies. Indeed, quantitatively designed articles displayed the precise distinctions between combustion engine vehicles and electric ones. Qualitative studies provided evidence about the environmental benefits of alternative cars and retrieved trends in technological advances among leading production companies. Mixed-method research combined the analysis of electric vehicles implementation with forecasting the possible challenges based on economic, ecological, and manufacturing factors.
Modern project management cannot exist without research necessary for proper decision-making and evidence-based planning. When electric car technologies are used in business plans, leaders must consider the industry’s economic conditions, current manufacturing, and countries’ experiences where the alternative engine is widely consumed. Addressing the development of alternative engine-driven automobile technology cannot be performed without solid theoretical evidence and the clarification of past practices. Consequently, the critical review of literature and research methods is essential for project management and further technological improvement.
Reference List
Albatayneh, A., Assaf, M.N., Alterman, D. and Jaradat, M., (2020). Comparison of the overall energy efficiency for internal combustion engine vehicles and electric vehicles. Environmental and Climate Technologies [online], 24(1), pp.669-680
Arribas-Ibar, M., Nylund, P.A. and Brem, A., (2021). The risk of dissolution of sustainable innovation ecosystems in times of crisis: the electric vehicle during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sustainability [online], 13(3), p.1319
Du, J., Meng, X., Li, J., Wu, X., Song, Z. and Ouyang, M., (2018). Insights into the characteristics of technologies and industrialisation for plug-in electric cars in China. Energy [online], 164, pp.910-924
Feng, S. and Magee, C.L., (2020). Technological development of key domains in electric vehicles: Improvement rates, technology trajectories and key assignees. Applied Energy [online], 260, p.114264.
Guo, Z. and Zhou, Y., (2019). Residual value analysis of plug-in vehicles in the United States. Energy Policy [online], 125, pp.445-455
Hua, Y., Zhou, S., Cui, H., Liu, X., Zhang, C., Xu, X., Ling, H. and Yang, S., (2020). A comprehensive review on inconsistency and equalisation technology of lithium‐ion battery for electric vehicles. International Journal of Energy Research [online], 44(14), pp.11059-11087
Luca de Tena, D. and Pregger, T., (2018). Impact of electric vehicles on a future renewable energy‐based power system in Europe with a focus on Germany. International Journal of Energy Research [online], 42(8), pp.2670-2685
Müller, J.M., (2019). Comparing technology acceptance for autonomous vehicles, battery electric vehicles, and car sharing—a study across Europe, China, and North America. Sustainability [online], 11(16), p.4333
Muthukumar, M., Rengarajan, N., Velliyangiri, B., Omprakas, M.A., Rohit, C.B. and Raja, U.K., (2021). The development of fuel cell electric vehicles–A review. Materials Today: Proceedings [online], 45, pp.1181-1187
Ramea, K., (2019). An integrated quantitative-qualitative study to monitor the utilization and assess the perception of hydrogen fueling stations. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy [online], 44(33), pp.18225-18239.
Sun, X., Li, Z., Wang, X. and Li, C., (2020). Technology development of electric vehicles: A review. Energies [online], 13(1), p.90
Verma, S., Dwivedi, G. and Verma, P., (2021). Life cycle assessment of electric vehicles in comparison to combustion engine vehicles: A review. Materials Today: Proceedings [online], 49, pp.217-222
Verma, J. and Kumar, D., 2021. Metal-ion batteries for electric vehicles: Current state of the technology, issues and future perspectives. Nanoscale Advances [online], 3(12), pp.3384-3394
Wanitschke, A. and Hoffmann, S., (2020). Are battery electric vehicles the future? An uncertainty comparison with hydrogen and combustion engines. Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions [online], 35, pp.509-523
Zhang, B., Guo, S., Lv, Q., Zhang, X., Ouyang, M. and Teng, L., (2021). Quantitative analysis of the energy saving mechanism of a hybrid electric tracked vehicle by an analytical method. Energy Conversion and Management [online], 237, p.114067.
Appendix A
Search Plan
Step 1: Identifying key words further used during the literature research process
The search for specific terms for the research was a vital first step towards retrieving the correct studies for analysis. The key words were: electric cars, electric vehicles, combustion engine, automobile industry, technological advancements, environment, project management.
Step 2: Identifying Platforms for Research
All data for the research analysis and critical appraisal was collected through online libraries. Mainly, keywords were entered to Google Scholar to explore further the articles at sources such as ScienceDirect.
Step 3: Examining the Literature Results
The primary approach for examining the selected literature’s credibility was to check if it has DOI and has been published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal. Furthermore, each article was analyzed considering their relation to the subject and research methods used.
Step 5: Managing the References
The literature was the peer-reviewed scholarly articles published between 2018 and 2022 because electric cars development is novel and rapidly innovates. Furthermore, newer references were retrieved and included to clarify if the research methodologies in selected literature are appropriate and subjects are relevant.
Appendix B
Notes
Quantitative studies: Arribas-Ibar, Nylund, and Brem (2021) – battery use statisitcs, Guo and Zhou, (2019) – statistical models of manufacturing tendencies;
Qualitative studies: Albatayneh et al., (2020) – well to wheel efficiency range evaluation intervention; Luca de Tena and Pregger (2018) – current practices’ descriptive analysis;
Mixed Studies: Muthukumar et al. (2021) – distinct aspects of electric cars technology combined and compared both in terms of their contents and statistically; Wanitschke and Hoffmann (2020) – description of the uncertainties of technology development and comparison of the prevalence of electricity-based engine use.