Climate change and global energy transformation: The role of renewable energy and electric vehicles

The energy and transportation sectors are the primary sources of greenhouse gas emissions; studies have largely examined renewable energy (RE) and electric vehicles (EVs) as separate solutions rather than as interdependent technologies. This review addresses this gap by providing a holistic assessment of their combined role in climate change mitigation. Drawing on peer-reviewed literature and case studies (2018-2025), this synthesis analyzes how research addresses global trends, technological advancements (e.g., vehicle-to-grid (V2G) systems, AI-based grid management, and solid-state batteries), lifecycle emissions, infrastructure requirements, and policy landscapes. While existing studies highlight significant progress in RE and EV deployment, the literature also identifies critical barriers, including grid integration, charging infrastructure gaps, supply chain constraints for critical minerals, and fragmented policy environments. This review's primary contribution is a cross-sectoral synthesis of the literature that demonstrates the interdependence of clean energy and transport, addressing a gap where prior research has examined these technologies largely in isolation. The review synthesizes evidence showing that the integrated deployment of RE and EVs presents a viable, though challenging, pathway to achieving the Paris Agreement's 1.5 °C target. The study offers targeted recommendations to overcome these barriers and accelerate a low-carbon energy transition.