Driven by demanding global emission regulations and the urgent requirements for sustainable mobility, Electric Vehicles (EVs) have emerged as the primary alternative to Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles. Central to this transition is the electric propulsion system (EPS), a multidisciplinary integration of power electronics, advanced motor drives, and electrochemical energy storage. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the current landscape of power electronic drives, focusing on the evolution of high-efficiency traction motors and next-generation energy storage systems (ESSs), and advancements in ultra-fast chargers. The analysis explores the vital impact of power converters, evaluating recent breakthroughs in wide-bandgap (WBG) semiconductors and advanced control topologies that enhance energy density and thermal management. Furthermore, the study identifies critical challenges in the design, modulation, and operational reliability of converters under dynamic automotive environments. By synthesizing current research trends and technical bottlenecks, this paper offers insights into the future trajectory of power electronics in achieving high-performance, cost-effective, and carbon-neutral transportation.

Siwa Oasis, a remote desert region in Egypt, depends heavily on diesel generators, leading to high fuel costs, logistical challenges, and significant CO₂ emissions. This study evaluates hybrid renewable energy systems for the region using real-world data, considering three configurations: Case 1 (PV, BESS, Diesel), Case 2 (PV, Ternary Pumped Hydro Storage (T-PSH), Diesel), and Case 3 (PV, Wind, T-PSH, Diesel). T-PSH enhances system flexibility by enabling three operational modes—pumping, generation, and simultaneous pumping and generating—optimizing the management of surplus renewable energy.A novel Hybrid Cheetah Optimization with Particle Swarm Optimization (HYCHOPSO) algorithm, along with CHO, PSO, GWO, and SSIA, is used to optimize system performance. Results show that Case 1 achieves a COE of $0.03Fih/kWh with 210.6 tons/year emissions and a 61.9% renewable share. Case 2 has the COE ($0.592/kWh) but the highest emissions (525.3 tons/year) due to 91% diesel dependency, while Case 3 attains the lowest emissions (123.6 tons/year) with 69.8% renewable energy at a COE of $0.0935/kWh.These findings highlight the trade-offs between cost and environmental performance and demonstrate that hybrid systems with advanced storage and diversified renewables provide a viable pathway for sustainable energy management in isolated microgrids.