Global energy demand is rapidly increasing due to population and economic growth, especially in large emerging countries, which will account for 90% of energy demand growth to 2035. Electric vehicles (EVs) play a paramount role in the electrification revolution towards the reduction of the carbon footprint. Here, we review all the major trends in Li-ion batteries technologies used in EVs. We conclude that only five types of cathodes are used and that most of the EV companies use Nickel Manganese Cobalt oxide (NMC). Most of the Li-ion batteries anodes are graphite-based. Positive and negative electrodes are reviewed in detail as well as future trends such as the effort to reduce the Cobalt content. The electrolyte is a liquid/gel flammable solvent usually containing a LiFeP${}_6$ salt. The electrolyte makes the battery and battery pack unsafe, which drives the research and development to replace the flammable liquid by a solid electrolyte.

Structural power composites stand out as a possible solution to the demands of the modern transportation system of more efficient and eco-friendly vehicles. Recent studies demonstrated the possibility to realize these components endowing high-performance composites with electrochemical properties. The aim of this paper is to present a systematic review of the recent developments on this more and more sensitive topic. Two main technologies will be covered here: (1) the integration of commercially available lithium-ion batteries in composite structures, and (2) the fabrication of carbon fiber-based multifunctional materials. The latter will be deeply analyzed, describing how the fibers and the polymeric matrices can be synergistically combined with ionic salts and cathodic materials to manufacture monolithic structural batteries. The main challenges faced by these emerging research fields are also addressed. Among them, the maximum allowable curing cycle for the embedded configuration and the realization that highly conductive structural electrolytes for the monolithic solution are noteworthy. This work also shows an overview of the multiphysics material models developed for these studies and provides a clue for a possible alternative configuration based on solid-state electrolytes.

The present study focuses on the experimental determination of the mechanical behaviour of simple lap joints subjected to quasi-static tensile loads. Four different specimens were tested, resulting from the combination of two different adhesives (ductile and brittle) and two distinct overlap lengths. Cohesive fractures were observed on all specimens, which allowed for a direct comparison of experimental results and failure load prediction using analytical criteria adequate for adhesive joints. Three different criteria were used to predict the failure load, the Volkersen criterion, generalized yielding of adhesive and the adherend yielding criterion. The predictions based on the Volkersen criterion were found to agree well with experimental values obtained for the more brittle material. Moreover, increasing overlap length for the same material only led to a slight increase of the failure load of the joint. However, for the ductile material it was the generalized yielding criterion that better agreed with experimental results, where a significant and linear increase of the failure load was observed with increased overlap length. These results provide valuable insights for material selection and joint design procedures for adhesive joints loaded under large mechanical demands.