Green Energy and Intelligent Transportation: The Role of Composite Materials in Electric and Automotive Sectors

Year : 2026 | Volume : 14 | Special Issue 01 | Page : 1096 1111
    By

    Sunil Kumar Gupta,

  • Asit Mohanty,

  • Pragyan Paramita Mohanty,

  • M. Venu Gopala Rao,

  • Govind Singh Patel,

  1. Professor, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Poornima University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
  2. Professor, Centre for Promotion of Research, Graphic Era (Deemed to be University), Clementtown, Uttarakhand, India
  3. Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, VSSUT, Burla, Odisha, India
  4. Professor & Principal, Navkis College of Engineering, Hassan, Karnataka, India
  5. Professor, Department of Automation and Robotics, Sharad Institute of Technology College of Engineering, Yadrav, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India

Abstract

The global transition toward sustainable mobility is accelerating, driven by mounting concerns over climate change, urban congestion, and the rapid development of green energy technologies. At the heart of this transformation lie intelligent transportation systems (ITS) and electric vehicles (EVs), which are collectively reshaping the future of modern transportation. Within this context, composite materials have emerged as key enablers, offering lightweight, durable, and energy-efficient solutions that enhance vehicle performance, range, and sustainability. This article examines the strong interconnection between green energy initiatives, smart transportation technologies, and the expanding role of composite materials in the EV and automotive sectors. It provides an overview of advanced composites such as carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRP), glass fiber composites, and natural fiber hybrids, along with modern manufacturing techniques including resin transfer molding, compression molding, and additive manufacturing. These materials not only contribute to improved efficiency and safety but also support innovative vehicle architectures optimized for ITS integration. The discussion further addresses critical challenges related to recyclability, cost efficiency, and large-scale production, while evaluating the environmental impact and sustainability aspects of composite adoption. Emerging trends such as smart materials, bio-based composites, and circular manufacturing approaches are also highlighted. In conclusion, the study underscores the indispensable role of composites in shaping the next generation of sustainable transportation. By combining technological innovation with environmental stewardship, composites are driving progress toward a smarter, cleaner, and more energy-efficient mobility ecosystem.

Keywords: lightweight composites, electric vehicles, public transport, CFRP, GFRP, sustainability, mobility.

[This article belongs to Special Issue under section in Journal of Polymer & Composites (jopc)]

How to cite this article:
Sunil Kumar Gupta, Asit Mohanty, Pragyan Paramita Mohanty, M. Venu Gopala Rao, Govind Singh Patel. Green Energy and Intelligent Transportation: The Role of Composite Materials in Electric and Automotive Sectors. Journal of Polymer & Composites. 2026; 14(01):1096-1111.
How to cite this URL:
Sunil Kumar Gupta, Asit Mohanty, Pragyan Paramita Mohanty, M. Venu Gopala Rao, Govind Singh Patel. Green Energy and Intelligent Transportation: The Role of Composite Materials in Electric and Automotive Sectors. Journal of Polymer & Composites. 2026; 14(01):1096-1111. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jopc/article=2026/view=236694


References

  1. Adil Wazeer, Apurba Das, Chamil Abeykoon, Arijit Sinha, and Amit Karmakar, “Composites for electric vehicles and automotive sector: A review,” Green Energy and Intelligent Transportation, vol. 2, no. 1, p. 100043, 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.geits.2022.100043.
  2. K. Gupta, B. Jain, G. S. Patel, A. Kumar, and A. Raj, “The role of composite materials in electric vehicles: Enhancements in performance, safety, and efficiency,” Journal of Polymer and Composites, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 296–310, 2025.
  3. Nithesh Naik, P. Suresh, Sanjay Yadav, M. P. Nisha, José Luis Arias-Gonzáles, Juan Carlos Cotrina-Aliaga, Ritesh Bhat, Manohara D. Jalageri, Yashaarth Kaushik, and Aakif Budnar Kunjibettu, “A review on composite materials for energy harvesting in electric vehicles,” Energies, vol. 16, no. 8, p. 3348, 2023, doi: 10.3390/en16083348.
  4. Adil Wazeer, Apurba Das, Chamil Abeykoon, Arijit Sinha, and Amit Karmakar, “Composites for electric vehicles and automotive sector: A review,” Green Energy and Intelligent Transportation, vol. 2, no. 1, p. 100043, 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.geits.2022.100043.
  5. Muztoba Khan, M. R. Hasan, and Thorsten Wuest, “Towards Industry 5.0: A systematic literature review on sustainable and green composite materials supply chains,” 2024, doi: 10.48550/arXiv.2402.06100.
  6. K. Gupta, J. K. Bhutto, M. V. Gopala Rao, and A. Raj, “Exploring Composite Materials for Energy Harvesting in Electric Vehicles: A Comprehensive Review,” Journal of Polymer and Composites, vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 1–15, 2024.
  7. Laña, J. J. Sanchez-Medina, E. I. Vlahogianni, and J. Del Ser, “From Data to Actions in Intelligent Transportation Systems: A Prescription of Functional Requirements for Model Actionability,” Sensors, vol. 21, no. 4, p. 1121, Feb. 2021, doi: 10.3390/s21041121.
  8. Sunil Kumar Gupta, Pragyan Paramita Mohanty, Atul Kulshrestha, Nand Kishor Gupta, Ashish Raj. “Advanced Polymer Composites for Energy Storage: Accelerating the Electric Vehicle Revolution” Journal of Polymer and Composites”. 2025; 13(02):540–549.
  9. Sunil Kumar Gupta, Babita Jain, Govind Singh Patel, Pragyan paramita mohanty, Ashish Raj. “Advancements in Polymer Composites for Hybrid Electric Vehicles: Market Potential and Future Directions”. Journal of Polymer and Composites. 2025; 13(02):416–431.
  10. Sunil Kumar Gupta, Pragyan paramita mohanty, Atul Kulshrestha, Surendra Sharma, Ashish Raj. “Automotive Plastics and Polymer Composites: A Road Map for Future Mobility of Electric Vehicles”. Journal of Polymer and Composites. 2025; 13(02):378–392.
  11. Sunil Kumar Gupta, Sunil Kumar Chaudhary , M. Venu Gopala Rao, Atul Kumar, Ashish Raj, “Advanced Composite Materials for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations: A Comprehensive Study”, Journal of Polymer and Composites. 2025; 13(02):410–415.
  12. Ayrilmis, G. Kanat, E. Yildiz Avsar, S. Palanisamy, and A. Ashori, “Utilizing waste manhole covers and fibreboard as reinforcing fillers for thermoplastic composites,” Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites, vol. 44, no. 17–18, pp. 1108–1118, 2024, doi: 10.1177/07316844241238507.
  13. Ramasubbu, A. Kayambu, S. Palanisamy, and N. Ayrilmis, “Mechanical properties of epoxy composites reinforced with Areca catechu fibers containing silicon carbide,” BioResources, vol. 19, no. 2, pp. 2353–2370, 2024.
  14. Aruchamy, M. Karuppusamy, S. Krishnakumar, S. Palanisamy, M. Jayamani, K. Sureshkumar, S. K. Ali, and S. A. Al-Farraj, “Enhancement of mechanical properties of hybrid polymer composites using palmyra palm and coconut sheath fibers: The role of tamarind shell powder,” BioResources, vol. 20, no. 1, pp. 698–724, 2025.
  15. Karuppiah, K. C. Kuttalam, M. Palaniappan, C. Santulli, and S. Palanisamy, “Multiobjective optimization of fabrication parameters of jute fiber/polyester composites with egg shell powder and nanoclay filler,” Molecules, vol. 25, p. 5579, 2020, doi: 10.3390/molecules25235579.
  16. Palanisamy, M. Kalimuthu, C. Santulli, M. Palaniappan, R. Nagarajan, and C. Fragassa, “Tailoring epoxy composites with Acacia caesia bark fibers: Evaluating the effects of fiber amount and length on material characteristics,” Fibers, vol. 11, p. 63, 2023, doi: 10.3390/fib11070063.
  17. Santulli, S. Palanisamy, and M. Kalimuthu, “Pineapple fibers, their composites and applications,” in Plant Fibers, Their Composites, and Applications, S. M. Rangappa, J. Parameswaranpillai, S. Siengchin, T. Ozbakkaloglu, and H. Wang, Eds. Cambridge, U.K.: Woodhead Publishing, 2022, pp. 323–346, doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-824528-6.00007-2
Special Issue Subscription Review Article
Volume 14
Special Issue 01
Received 07/10/2025
Accepted 07/11/2025
Published 10/02/2026
Publication Time 126 Days
121

Login


My IP

PlumX Metrics