Cross-domain impacts of electric vehicle cyber attacks on smart grids: A comprehensive survey

Abstract

The rapid integration of electric vehicles (EVs) within smart grid infrastructures creates sophisticated cyber-physical ecosystems that bridge transportation and energy domains. This comprehensive analysis systematically examines cybersecurity threats emerging at the EV smart grid interface, emphasizing their bidirectional cross-domain impacts. This paper presents a structured taxonomic framework that classifies cyber threats according to attack targets and propagation vectors, clarifying how EV vulnerabilities compromise grid stability and how grid-side attacks undermine vehicle charging integrity and operational safety. Through critical evaluation of advanced mitigation strategies, including secure communication protocols, intrusion detection systems, blockchain-based architectures, and resilience mechanisms, this paper assesses their effectiveness and inherent constraints. The analysis reveals notable limitations, particularly insufficient modeling of EV user behavior within security paradigms and the absence of harmonized cross-sector cybersecurity standards. The paper delineates pressing research challenges and proposes future trajectories to fortify end-to-end cybersecurity for EV-integrated smart grids. By synthesizing contemporary scholarly advancements, the presented work equips researchers and practitioners with authoritative perspectives on threats, impacts, and defensive measures shaping the intersection of electric vehicles and smart grids.