Master in Electric vehicle engineering

Electric vehicle engineering is a two-year master's program taught in English at Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, in Bologna, Italy. This field applies mechanical, electrical and control engineering to the design and development of vehicles powered by electric motors and batteries rather than internal combustion engines. Students typically study electric powertrains, battery technology and energy storage, alongside power electronics used to convert and manage electrical energy within a vehicle. Coursework often covers electric motor design, vehicle dynamics adapted to electric drivetrains, and the control systems that manage how power is delivered and regenerated during braking. The discipline also addresses charging infrastructure and the interaction between electric vehicles and the wider electricity grid, since large-scale adoption of electric transport has implications for how power systems are planned and operated. Thermal management, since batteries and motors generate heat that must be controlled for safety and performance, and lightweight materials, which help offset the weight of battery packs, are also common areas of study. Because the sector is evolving quickly, coursework typically combines traditional automotive engineering fundamentals with newer topics specific to electrification, including battery management systems and the software that coordinates a vehicle's electric components. Graduates of electric vehicle engineering programs commonly pursue careers with automotive manufacturers, component suppliers and engineering consultancies working on electric and hybrid vehicle development, as well as with battery and power electronics companies. Others move into roles connected to charging infrastructure or energy companies addressing the integration of electric transport into power grids, or continue into doctoral research on battery technology or vehicle electrification. Studying this field in English at an Italian university, within a country with a strong automotive engineering tradition, positions graduates for careers in an automotive industry undergoing a shift toward electric propulsion.