Driving connectivity: a thorough review of networking protocols in electric mobility

Abstract

The rapid advancement of technology has transformed the automotive sector through intelligent systems for safety, control, and infotainment. This study reviews key networking protocols controller area network (CAN), local interconnect network (LIN), FlexRay, MOST, Ethernet, and Master-Slave used in electric vehicles (EVs) in India and worldwide, providing insights into their application trends across different regions. CAN provides reliable low-latency communication for safety-critical functions (1 Mbps), while CAN FD extends support up to 12 Mbps. LIN and Master-Slave topologies enable cost-effective low-speed operations (2–20 kbps). FlexRay ensures real-time communication (10–100 Mbps), and MOST supports 150 Mbps for multimedia applications. Ethernet offers superior bandwidth up to 10 Gbps for advanced driver assistance and autonomous systems, but it involves higher complexity and cost. The review identifies key challenges in interoperability, scalability, and cybersecurity and evaluates protocol suitability for next-generation EV architectures. It also integrates Industry 5.0 principles and SDGs 7, 9, and 13, emphasizing human-centric, sustainable, and resilient mobility.