How sustainable is electric vehicle adoption? Insights from a PRISMA review

The adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) for personal passenger transportation in cities is increasingly impacting our society and environment, offering benefits such as reduced tailpipe emissions and noise pollution. However, while the existing literature predominantly concentrates on technological advancements and environmental benefits, there are emerging undesirable side effects that, if left unaddressed, may undermine the overall sustainability of urban mobility. The objective of this study is to identify the externalities associated with increased EV adoption in urban environments and to propose mitigation strategies that assist individuals and policymakers in making informed decisions about electric mobility choices. Therefore, a systematic literature review following the PRISMA protocol is performed to consolidate previous research on the externalities of increased EV adoption in urban environments and explore mitigation strategies. The analysis reveals that EV adoption: amplifies transport-related social inequalities; contributes to natural resource and habitat degradation; requires substantial charging infrastructure and power network investments, which necessitates mitigation strategies to extend beyond technical advancements, emphasising a shift from personal to public and shared transportation. The study findings offer invaluable insights for policymakers and scholars alike, underscoring the necessity for comprehensive urban mobility concepts that encompass sustainable passenger transportation modes and active government and citizen participation.