Enhancing Electric Vehicle Range Prediction through Deep Learning: An Autoencoder and Neural Network Approach

Abstract

The burgeoning adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) signifies a pivotal shift towards sustainable transportation, necessitated by the global imperative to mitigate climate change impacts. Central to this transition is the resolution of range anxiety, a significant barrier impeding wider EV acceptance. This research introduces a novel deep learning framework combining autoencoders and deep neural networks (DNNs) to predict EV range more accurately and reliably. Leveraging a comprehensive dataset from the "Electric Vehicle Population Data," we embarked on a meticulous process of data cleaning, feature engineering, and preprocessing to prepare the dataset for analysis. The study innovatively applies an autoencoder for unsupervised feature learning, effectively reducing dimensionality and extracting salient features from high-dimensional EV data. Subsequently, a DNN model utilizes these features to predict the EV range, offering insights into the vehicle's performance across various conditions. Employing a 10-fold cross-validation approach, the model's efficacy is rigorously evaluated, ensuring robustness and generalizability of the predictions. Our methodology demonstrates a significant enhancement in prediction accuracy compared to conventional machine learning models, as evidenced by the Mean Squared Error (MSE) metric. This research not only contributes to the academic discourse on sustainable transportation and deep learning applications but also provides practical insights for manufacturers, policymakers, and consumers aiming to navigate the complexities of EV adoption and infrastructure development. By addressing the critical challenge of range prediction, this study paves the way for advancing EV analytics, ultimately supporting the transition to a more sustainable and efficient transportation ecosystem.