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The Risks and Challenges of Electric Vehicle Integration into Smart Cities

Author

Listed:
  • Oluwagbenga Apata

    (Department of Electrical Engineering Technology, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2028, South Africa)

  • Pitshou N. Bokoro

    (Department of Electrical Engineering Technology, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2028, South Africa)

  • Gulshan Sharma

    (Department of Electrical Engineering Technology, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2028, South Africa)

Abstract

The integration of electric vehicles (EVs) into smart cities presents a promising opportunity for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing urban sustainability. However, there are significant risks and challenges associated with the integration of EVs into smart cities, which must be carefully considered. Though there are various reviews available on the challenges of integrating EVs into smart cities, the majority of these are focused on technical challenges, thereby ignoring other important challenges that may arise from such integration. This paper therefore provides a comprehensive overview of the risks and challenges associated with the integration of EVs into smart cities in one research paper. The different challenges associated with the integration of EVs into smart cities have been identified and categorized into four groups, namely: technical, economic, social, and environmental, while also discussing the associated risks of EV integration into smart cities. The paper concludes by highlighting the need for a holistic approach to EV integration into smart cities that considers these challenges and risks. It also identifies possible future trends and outlooks to address these challenges and promote the successful integration of EVs into smart cities. Overall, this paper provides valuable insights for policymakers, city planners, and researchers working towards sustainable urban transportation systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Oluwagbenga Apata & Pitshou N. Bokoro & Gulshan Sharma, 2023. "The Risks and Challenges of Electric Vehicle Integration into Smart Cities," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-25, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:14:p:5274-:d:1190487
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mwasilu, Francis & Justo, Jackson John & Kim, Eun-Kyung & Do, Ton Duc & Jung, Jin-Woo, 2014. "Electric vehicles and smart grid interaction: A review on vehicle to grid and renewable energy sources integration," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 34(C), pages 501-516.
    2. Sanchari Deb, 2021. "Machine Learning for Solving Charging Infrastructure Planning Problems: A Comprehensive Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-19, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Nhoyidi Nsan & Chinemerem Obi & Emmanuel Etuk, 2025. "Bridging Policy, Infrastructure, and Innovation: A Causal and Predictive Analysis of Electric Vehicle Integration Across Africa, China, and the EU," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-34, June.
    2. Neves, Sónia Almeida & Pereira, Diogo Santos & Marques, António Cardoso, 2025. "Is electric mobility effective in smoothing the electricity load diagram? Evidence from Europe," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 174(C).
    3. Oluwafemi Emmanuel Oni & Omowunmi Mary Longe, 2024. "A Study on Electric Vehicle Footprint in South Africa," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-37, December.
    4. Rajeshkumar Ramraj & Ehsan Pashajavid & Sanath Alahakoon & Shantha Jayasinghe, 2023. "Quality of Service and Associated Communication Infrastructure for Electric Vehicles," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-28, October.
    5. Izabela Jonek-Kowalska & Maciej Wolny, 2025. "Age Sustainability in Smart City: Seniors as Urban Stakeholders in the Light of Literature Studies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-28, July.
    6. Marcin Koniak & Piotr Jaskowski & Krzysztof Tomczuk, 2024. "Review of Economic, Technical and Environmental Aspects of Electric Vehicles," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-21, November.
    7. Lvjiang Yin & Ruixue Zhu & Dandan Jian, 2025. "Research on Green Distribution Problems of Mixed Fleets Considering Multiple Charging Methods," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-25, October.
    8. Cong Zhang & Jingchao Lian & Haitao Min & Ming Li, 2024. "Shanghai as a Model: Research on the Journey of Transportation Electrification and Charging Infrastructure Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-22, December.
    9. Yanqing Wang & Xiao Gu & Shanshan Li, 2026. "Toward smart cities: analysis of critical factors of new disaster risks in smart cities using a fuzzy DANP-ISM method," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 13(1), pages 1-13, December.
    10. Asiri Tayri & Xiandong Ma, 2025. "Grid Impacts of Electric Vehicle Charging: A Review of Challenges and Mitigation Strategies," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-38, July.
    11. Maksymilian Mądziel, 2024. "Energy Modeling for Electric Vehicles Based on Real Driving Cycles: An Artificial Intelligence Approach for Microscale Analyses," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-22, February.
    12. repec:bcp:journl:v:9:y:2025:i:28:p:356-366 is not listed on IDEAS

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