Abstract

The growing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) has amplified the need for effective thermal management systems (TMS) to ensure battery safety, powertrain efficiency, and passenger comfort. Poor thermal regulation can lead to battery degradation, reduced driving range, safety hazards, and performance losses. This study reviews emerging thermal management technologies and advanced materials that address the unique challenges of EVs. The paper examines liquid cooling, phase change materials (PCMs), nanofluids, heat pipes, and thermoelectric cooling technologies, highlighting their benefits, limitations, and applicability in different EV architectures. Special emphasis is given to material innovations such as graphene-enhanced composites and high-conductivity alloys that offer improved heat dissipation. The results suggest that hybrid thermal management systems, integrating active and passive methods, offer the most promising solutions for balancing efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness in next-generation EVs.

Keywords: Electric Vehicles, Thermal Management, Battery Cooling, Phase Change Materials, Nanofluids, Heat Pipes, Thermoelectric Cooling