Program Structure

Module 1: Introduction to Electric Vehicles (EVs)

• EV fundamentals: battery types, powertrain design, and electric motors.
• EV energy efficiency: energy conversion, range, and energy storage systems.
• Charging infrastructure basics: AC vs DC charging, fast-charging technology, and grid integration.
• Benefits of EVs: reducing greenhouse gas emissions, noise pollution, and dependency on fossil fuels.

Module 2: Autonomous Vehicle (AV) Technologies

• Overview of AV sensors: LIDAR, radar, cameras, and GPS.
• Core autonomous driving algorithms: perception, decision-making, and motion planning.
• Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication: connecting vehicles to infrastructure, pedestrians, and other vehicles.
• AV safety considerations: sensor fusion, redundancy, and reliability analysis.

Module 3: Energy Efficiency and Sustainability in Transportation

• Energy use in traditional vs electric vehicles: carbon footprint comparison and energy consumption.
• Regenerative braking and other energy-saving technologies in EVs.
• Environmental impacts of battery production and disposal.
• Strategies for improving energy efficiency: lightweight materials, aerodynamics, and energy management systems.

Module 4: Charging Infrastructure and Smart Grids

• Public and private charging station infrastructure: installation, standards, and grid integration.
• Smart grids: demand-side management, charging load balancing, and grid communication systems.
• Challenges in scaling charging infrastructure: urban vs rural deployment, fast charging, and range anxiety.
• Renewable energy integration: using solar and wind for EV charging and reducing grid dependence.

Module 5: Policy, Regulation, and Market Dynamics

• Global EV adoption policies: tax credits, subsidies, and regulations in the EU, US, and Asia.
• Challenges to AV adoption: safety, liability, and ethical concerns.
• Government incentives and urban planning policies for EVs and AVs.
• Future market trends: penetration rates, technology costs, and competition between traditional automakers and startups.

Module 6: Integration of EVs and AVs into Smart Mobility Systems

• Smart cities and EV/AV ecosystems: IoT, traffic management, and autonomous public transport.
• Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS): integrating shared EVs/AVs into public transportation networks.
• Data privacy and cybersecurity challenges in connected EVs/AVs.
• Multi-modal transportation systems: EVs, AVs, bikes, buses, and how they complement each other.

Module 7: Autonomous Vehicle Safety and Ethics

• Safety standards and testing protocols for AVs: SAE levels of automation and road testing.
• Ethical dilemmas: decision-making in unavoidable accident scenarios (e.g., trolley problem).
• Human-AV interaction: trust, safety features, and training users for autonomous transport.
• Regulatory considerations: AV testing, driverless laws, and safety oversight.

Module 8: EV/AV Data Management and Analytics

• Data generation in EVs and AVs: vehicle telemetry, maintenance data, and driving behavior.
• Big data analytics in transportation: predictive maintenance, route optimization, and vehicle-to-vehicle communication.
• Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in EVs and AVs: autonomous decision-making, traffic flow prediction, and energy efficiency optimization.
• Data security and privacy concerns: user data, connected vehicles, and data sharing regulations.

Module 9: Economic and Environmental Impact Analysis

• Cost-benefit analysis: initial vehicle cost vs long-term savings on fuel, maintenance, and environmental impact.
• Life-cycle assessment (LCA) for EVs and AVs: environmental and economic footprint analysis.
• Impact of widespread EV adoption on global energy demand, infrastructure, and job markets.
• Social equity considerations: access to electric and autonomous transportation in underserved communities.

Module 10: Future of EVs and AVs in Sustainable Transportation

• The future of battery technology: solid-state batteries, fast-charging systems, and long-term sustainability.
• The role of autonomous trucking in freight and logistics: benefits, risks, and scaling.
• Urban mobility trends: shared electric vehicles, robotaxis, and fully automated transportation networks.
• The road ahead: policy changes, technological advancements, and societal adaptation to green transportation systems.

Final Project

• Create an EV/AV Sustainable Transportation Blueprint for a city or region.
• Include: technology selection, infrastructure requirements, deployment strategy, energy considerations, and policy recommendations.
• Example projects: electric bus fleet deployment, autonomous taxi service integration, EV infrastructure rollout for urban areas, sustainable freight solutions with autonomous trucks.