As the world shifts toward sustainable mobility, hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) are becoming the bridge between traditional internal combustion engines and fully electric vehicles. If you want to dive deep into how these vehicles work — from powertrains to energy management — there are several essential books that can help you grasp the fundamentals of HEV technology. Whether you’re an engineering student, an automotive enthusiast, or a professional looking to upskill, here’s a guide to the best books to understand hybrid electric vehicle technology.

1. “Hybrid Electric Vehicles: Principles and Applications with Practical Perspectives” by Chris Mi, M. Abul Masrur, and David Wenzhong Gao

This is one of the most popular and widely recommended textbooks on HEVs. It provides a detailed understanding of:

Powertrain configurations and design
Electric motor technologies
Battery management systems
Control strategies for hybrid powertrains

The book balances theory and practical applications, making it perfect for students and engineers alike. It also includes case studies and MATLAB/Simulink examples for hands-on learning.

2. “Modern Electric, Hybrid Electric, and Fuel Cell Vehicles: Fundamentals, Theory, and Design” by Mehrdad Ehsani, Yimin Gao, and Ali Emadi

Often considered the “bible” of hybrid and electric vehicle engineering, this book covers the fundamental theories and system-level design aspects of modern electric and hybrid vehicles.
Key highlights include:

Comprehensive explanations of electric drive systems
In-depth analysis of fuel cell systems
Modeling, simulation, and optimization of hybrid powertrains

This book is ideal for graduate-level students and professionals involved in automotive R&D.

3. “Electric and Hybrid Vehicles: Technologies, Modeling and Control – A Mechatronic Approach” by Amir Khajepour, M. Saber Fallah, and Avesta Goodarzi

This book focuses on the mechatronic perspective of hybrid vehicles — integrating mechanical, electrical, and control systems. It covers:

Vehicle dynamics
Energy management systems
Control algorithms for electric and hybrid systems

It’s an excellent choice for those who want to understand how mechanical and control systems interact within a hybrid vehicle.

4. “Fundamentals of Electric Drives” by G. K. Dubey

Although not exclusively focused on hybrid vehicles, this book is invaluable for understanding the core of electric propulsion — the electric drive.
Topics include:

DC and AC motor drives
Control of motor speed and torque
Power electronics fundamentals

Anyone interested in the engineering mechanics of electric motors used in HEVs should start here before moving to advanced vehicle design books.

5. “Automotive Powertrain Science and Technology” by Fredrik Westin and Lars Eriksson

This book explains powertrain design, modeling, and optimization, including hybrid systems. It offers insights into:

Internal combustion engine performance
Hybridization strategies
Energy flow management

It’s especially useful for understanding how traditional automotive engineering merges with modern hybrid technologies.

6. “Advanced Hybrid Powertrains for Automotive Applications” by John M. Miller

This book delves into advanced topics in hybrid powertrain systems, including:

Electric traction system architecture
Hybrid transmission design
Energy storage integration

It’s perfect for engineers who already understand the basics and want to explore cutting-edge hybrid systems.

7. “Battery Management Systems for Large Lithium-Ion Battery Packs” by Davide Andrea

Since batteries are the heart of every HEV, this book focuses on battery management systems (BMS) — the critical component ensuring safety, efficiency, and longevity of lithium-ion batteries.
It covers:

Battery chemistry basics
Charging and discharging control
Thermal management systems

For anyone focusing on energy storage in hybrid or electric vehicles, this is a must-read.

Conclusion

Understanding hybrid electric vehicle technology requires mastering multiple disciplines — mechanical, electrical, and control engineering. The books listed above provide a step-by-step roadmap from fundamentals to advanced concepts, helping you gain both theoretical knowledge and practical insights.

What Are the Fundamental Books to Understand Hybrid Electric Vehicle Technology?