Lecture 1: Evolution of Transportation – From ICE to EVs

1. Introduction
Transportation is the backbone of:
• Economic development
• Social progress

Global transportation network or logistics illustration.

Evolution of transportation is influenced by:
• Technological advancements
• Government policies
• Changing societal needs
Stages of evolution:
• From animal-drawn carts
• To modern electric vehicles (EVs) powered by smart grids

Bullock cart vs electric car with charging station

Drivers of transformation include:
• Speed
• Efficiency

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 • Safety
• Sustainability
2. Early Modes of Transport
Pre-Industrial Era Mobility
• Limited to:
o Walking
o Animal-drawn carts
o Boats
o Simple mechanical devices
Facilitators of Early Trade and Travel
• Silk Road (land-based trade route)
• Maritime navigation across oceans
• Enabled cultural exchange and commerce

Silk Road map or ancient trade ship

Limitations of Early Transportation
• Time-consuming
• Dependent on:
o Terrain
o Weather
o Distance constraints
Industrial Revolution (1760–1840): A Turning Point
• Introduction of steam-powered engines
• Marked a technological breakthrough in mobility

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Early steam engine or steam locomotive
Impact of Steam Technology
• Steamships and railroads:
o Enabled long-distance travel
o Laid foundation for mechanized personal transport

Historic train or steamship illustration

3. The Age of Internal Combustion Engines (ICE)
The invention of the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) in the late 19th century marked
a turning point in transportation history.
1886: Karl Benz patented the first practical automobile powered by a gasoline engine.

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Karl Benz's 1886 Motorwagen
ICE vehicles gained rapid popularity due to:
• High energy density of gasoline
• Ease of fuel storage and transportation
1908: Henry Ford introduced Model T, the first mass-produced car.
• Made automobiles affordable and accessible to the middle class

Ford Model T assembly line

Expansion of:
• Fuel infrastructure (petrol pumps)
• Road networks
Resulted in ICE vehicles becoming the dominant mode of transportation throughout
the 20th century.
4. Challenges of ICE Vehicles
• Despite their widespread use and contribution to mobility, ICE vehicles face
significant drawbacks:

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 1. Environmental Degradation
o Emissions include CO₂, NOₓ, unburnt hydrocarbons, and particulate
matter.
o These contribute to climate change and urban air pollution.

Air pollution from ICE vehicles

2. Resource Dependence
o ICEs rely heavily on non-renewable fossil fuels.
o Oil price fluctuations and geopolitical issues impact energy security.

global oil supply chain

3. Low Energy Efficiency
o Only 20–30% of the fuel's energy is converted into useful mechanical
work.
o The rest is lost as heat.

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 ICE vehicle efficiency comparison chart
4. Noise and Mechanical Wear
o Engines and gearboxes contain numerous moving parts.
o Leads to frequent maintenance and high operational noise.
5. The Forgotten Rise of Early Electric Vehicles
EVs are not a new innovation
• The concept dates back to the late 19th century.
Early adoption
• Electric carriages and trams were widely used in urban areas.
By 1900, EVs made up over one-third of all vehicles in the USA.

Historical photo showing EVs in 1900 USA

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 Reasons for early popularity
• Quiet operation
• Simple to use (no gear shifting)
• No tailpipe emissions
Barriers to mass adoption
• Poor battery technology
• Limited driving range
• Slow charging times
Factors that led to EV decline
• Invention of the electric starter for ICEs (eliminating hand cranking)
• Expansion of better road infrastructure
• Discovery and availability of large oil reserves
6. Revival of EV Interest
1970s – Resurgence of EV Interest
• Triggered by the oil crisis (1970), urban smog, and climate change concerns.
Automotive Industry Response
• Began exploring alternative fuels and vehicle propulsion systems.
1997 – Toyota Prius Launched
• First mass-produced hybrid electric vehicle.

First-generation Toyota Prius

2000s – Breakthroughs in Battery Technology
• Lithium-ion batteries enabled:
o Higher energy density
o Longer driving range
o Lighter and more efficient EVs
2008 – Tesla Roadster Launched

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 • Proved that EVs can be fast, stylish, and sustainable.

Tesla Roadster 2008 model

Supportive Global Policies
• Introduction of zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) regulations worldwide
• Incentives and mandates accelerated EV adoption
7. Technological Enablers for Modern EVs
Modern EVs are supported by multiple breakthroughs:
Battery Technology
• Use of Lithium-ion and emerging solid-state batteries
• Benefits:
o Higher energy density
o Longer battery life
o Faster charging capabilities

Comparison of lithium-ion vs solid-state batteries

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 Power Electronics
• Integration of high-efficiency inverters and DC-DC converters
• Helps in:
o Efficient energy flow
o Precise vehicle control

Block diagram of power electronics in EV

Electric Motors
• Widely used motors include:
o Brushless DC (BLDC)
o Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors (PMSM)
• Advantages:
o High torque
o Better speed control
o High reliability and durability

Cutaway of BLDC and PMSM motor

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 Charging Infrastructure
• Charging options include:
o Level 1 (home outlet)
o Level 2 (AC fast chargers)
o DC fast charging
o Wireless charging systems

EV charging infrastructure types or wall-mounted charger

Smart Systems
• Key intelligent technologies:
o Battery Management Systems (BMS)
o Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) interface
o Regenerative braking
o AI-based energy optimization

V2G flow diagram or BMS architecture

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8. Global EV Trends
1. Global EV Sales Surge
o Significant increase in EV sales over the last decade.

Global EV sales growth chart

2. Leading Countries in EV Adoption
o China
▪ World’s largest EV market
▪ Strong domestic EV production capabilities
o Norway
▪ Over 80% of new car sales are EVs
▪ Driven by tax exemptions, free parking, and road toll waivers
o USA and Germany
▪ Home to major EV manufacturers:
▪ Tesla, Ford (USA)
▪ BMW, Volkswagen (Germany)
▪ Significant investment in EV fleet development

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 3. India’s EV Push
o Government initiatives:
▪ FAME-I (2015) and FAME-II (2019) for EV subsidies and
infrastructure
o Proactive state policies in:
▪ Delhi, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu

India EV policy map

Key Challenges in EV Expansion
4. Charging Infrastructure Gaps
o Lack of accessible public and fast-charging stations
5. Battery Recycling and Raw Material Dependence
o Heavy reliance on lithium and cobalt
o Recycling challenges and supply chain risks
6. Grid Readiness Issues
o Electrical grids must be upgraded to handle high EV loads
o Need for smart charging and renewable integration

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Smart grid for EV integration or V2G concept
9. ICE vs EV – A Brief Comparison

Feature ICE Vehicles Electric Vehicles

Fuel Source Petrol/Diesel Electricity (grid/solar)

Carbon Dioxide (CO₂),

Emissions Nitrogen Oxides (NOₓ), Zero tailpipe emissions
Particulate Matter (PM)

Efficiency 20–30% 85–95%

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 Feature ICE Vehicles Electric Vehicles

Maintenance Frequent (oil, filters) Minimal (fewer moving parts)

Operating Cost High (fuel, servicing) Low (electricity)

Noise High Quiet and smooth

Infrastructure Fully developed Rapidly evolving

10. The Road Ahead

EVs are the Future of Clean Transportation
• No longer just experimental — now a mainstream solution for sustainable
mobility
Global Shift in Automotive Industry
• Automakers are actively:
o Phasing out ICE vehicles
o Investing in dedicated EV platforms
Expansion of Charging Infrastructure
• Charging stations are now:
o Increasingly common in urban and rural areas
Integration with Renewable Energy
• EV charging is being linked with:
o Solar PV and wind power
• Enables zero-carbon mobility

Solar-powered EV charging station

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 EVs as Distributed Energy Assets
• EVs support:
o Energy storage
o Demand-side management
o Grid stability through Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G)

V2G system diagram or EV connected to home/grid

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11. Conclusion: From ICE to EV – A Sustainable Transition
Technological & Environmental Alignment
• The shift from Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) to Electric Vehicles (EVs)
reflects:
o Significant technological progress
o Growing environmental awareness
Benefits of EVs Over ICE Vehicles
• Lower emissions (CO₂, NOₓ, PM)
• Smarter operations with advanced electronics
• Quieter and smoother driving experience
• Higher efficiency in energy conversion
Opportunities for Engineers and Policymakers
• The EV transition creates career and innovation potential in:
o Energy systems
o Power electronics
o Transport planning
o Sustainability and policy-making

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