Optimizing Energy Consumption in Electric Vehicles: A Systematic and Bibliometric Review of Recent Advances

Electric vehicles are key to sustainable mobility, but their limited range remains a major obstacle to widespread adoption. Extending driving distance requires optimizing energy use across subsystems. This study combines bibliometric mapping (2017–2024, Scopus) with a focused qualitative review to structure recent research. Results highlight a strong emphasis on energy efficiency, with China leading due to its market size, industrial base, and supportive policies. Major research directions tied to range extension include energy storage, motion control, thermal regulation, cooperative driving, and grid interaction. Among these, hybrid energy storage systems and motor control stand out for their measurable impact and industrial relevance, while thermal management, regenerative braking, and systemic approaches (V2V and V2G) remain underexplored. Beyond mapping contributions, the study identifies ongoing gaps and calls for integrated strategies that combine electrical, thermal, and mechanical aspects. As EV adoption accelerates and battery demand increases, the findings emphasize the need for battery-aware, multi-objective energy management strategies. This synthesis provides a vital framework to guide future research and support the development of robust, integrated, and industry-ready solutions for optimizing EV energy use and extending driving range.