The role of artificial intelligence in the mass adoption of electric vehicles

The electrification of mass transportation is hailed as a solution for reducing global greenhouse-gas emissions and dependence on unsustainable energy sources. The annual sales of electric vehicles (EVs) has continued to rise since 2011, with a global sale of EVs of 2.1 million in 2019. This increase in sales is mainly due to continued improvement in the cost and performance of commercial EVs, increased EV options available to consumers, and environmental awareness. However, despite the positive outlook, EVs still face major challenges that hinder their rapid and widespread adoption: limited driving range, long charging times, and a lack of sufficient charging infrastructure. This review outlines the recent advances in EVs and related infrastructure, mainly from artificial intelligence (AI), which makes EVs a more attractive consumer option. The application of AI in improving EVs, facilitating EV charging stations, and EV integration with the smart grid is critically analyzed and reviewed. Finally, future trends and prospects in the area are discussed.