A charging system and method for charging a battery of a vehicle is disclosed. The charging system includes a movable member, such as a wind-driven element. The charging system also includes means for exposing the wind-driven element during vehicle deceleration and for covering the wind-driven element during vehicle acceleration and coasting. The charging system further includes electrical power generating means operably associated with the wind-driven element and the battery such that the electrical power generating means provides electrical power for recharging the battery when the electrical power generating means receives mechanical power from the wind-driven element. Alternative embodiments can include a drop-wheel as a movable member.

Systems and methods for storing energy for use by an electric vehicle are disclosed. Systems can include an electric vehicle battery pack including a rack configured to couple a plurality of independently removable battery strings to the vehicle, the battery strings configured to be selectively coupled in parallel to a vehicle power bus. The battery strings may include a housing, a plurality of electrochemical cells disposed within the housing, a circuit for electrically connecting the electrochemical cells, a positive high-voltage connector, a negative high-voltage connector, a switch within the housing, and a string control unit configured to control the switch. Each battery string can include a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet configured to couple with and sealingly uncouple from an external coolant supply conduit and an external coolant return conduit, and an auxiliary connector configured to couple with an external communications system and/or an external low-voltage power supply.

A transmission device (2) for an electrically driveable vehicle (38), comprising a transmission element (9), a parking lock (12), by means of which the transmission element (9) can be blocked and which has a parking lock actuator (14), a transmission housing (7), which encloses the transmission element (9) and the parking lock (12), a connection apparatus (15) with a cable arrangement (16) extending in the transmission housing (7) and a plug connector by which a first end of the cable arrangement (16) can be contacted from the exterior of the transmission housing (7), wherein a second end of the cable arrangement (16) is electrically connected to the parking lock actuator (14), and a pressure equalization apparatus, which runs through the plug connector (17) of the connection apparatus (15) and forms a gas-permeable connection between the interior of the parking lock actuator (14) and the exterior of the transmission housing (7).

A transmission device (2) for an electrically driveable vehicle (38), comprising a transmission element (9), a parking lock (12), by means of which the transmission element (9) can be blocked and which has a parking lock actuator (14), a transmission housing (7), which encloses the transmission element (9) and the parking lock (12), a connection apparatus (15) with a cable arrangement (16) extending in the transmission housing (7) and a plug connector by which a first end of the cable arrangement (16) can be contacted from the exterior of the transmission housing (7), wherein a second end of the cable arrangement (16) is electrically connected to the parking lock actuator (14), and a pressure equalization apparatus, which runs through the plug connector (17) of the connection apparatus (15) and forms a gas-permeable connection between the interior of the parking lock actuator (14) and the exterior of the transmission housing (7).

A computer implemented method for managing charge availability of a charge unit (CU) to obtain charge for a battery of an electric vehicle (EV) is provided. The CU includes a computer for processing at least part of the method and for communicating with a server over a network. The method includes receiving, by the server, status information from the computer of the CU. The method includes sending to the computer of the CU instructions to make a reservation for the CU. The reservation is for a user account that has requested a desire to charge the battery of the electric vehicle of the user at the CU or another CU. The method includes sending, by the server, a confirmation for the reservation to the user account. The confirmation is viewable via a device having access to the server via the user account. The method includes sending, by the server, a data regarding a time of availability of the CU to the user account for the reservation. The computer of the CU is configured to display a visual indicator regarding the reservation of the CU.

An electric vehicle includes: a rotary electric machine configured to generate a driving force for driving driving wheels; a driving battery storing power to drive the rotary electric machine; a converter connected to the driving battery; an auxiliary battery connected to the driving battery via the converter; and a cooling box connected to the auxiliary battery. When the driving battery has an SOC reduced to be smaller than a prescribed threshold value, the converter is stopped and power remaining in the auxiliary battery is used to drive the cooling box.

An electric vehicle includes: a rotary electric machine configured to generate a driving force for driving driving wheels; a driving battery storing power to drive the rotary electric machine; a converter connected to the driving battery; an auxiliary battery connected to the driving battery via the converter; and a cooling box connected to the auxiliary battery. When the driving battery has an SOC reduced to be smaller than a prescribed threshold value, the converter is stopped and power remaining in the auxiliary battery is used to drive the cooling box.

A utility cart includes a stored energy device that can be in the form of a Lithium Ion battery pack. The battery pack can include a main power output useful to drive high voltage components as well as the electric motor for motive power. The battery pack can also include one or more auxiliary outputs useful to provide auxiliary power to various other components. The auxiliary outputs can be either low and/or high voltage outputs. An auxiliary DC/DC output can be used to step down high voltage of the Lithium ion battery pack to lower voltages. A motor controller supply can also be provided as an auxiliary output to provide some power to a motor controller.

An electric connection box that has a function of relaying power of power supply supplied from an input-side power supply line and supplying the relayed power of power supply to an output-side load on a vehicle, that includes a first circuit unit, a second circuit unit, and an air blower configured to blow air to the first circuit unit, and in which the first circuit unit and the second circuit unit are arranged in a state of being close to each other, the electric connection box includes: a gap portion that is a space formed on a boundary between the first circuit unit and the second circuit unit; and an airflow guide portion configured to guide an airflow blown by the air blower to both the first circuit unit and the gap portion.

An electric machine including a first energy consuming unit and a second energy consuming unit, the first energy consuming unit requiring a higher power energy source and the second energy consuming unit requiring a lower power energy source, wherein the machine further includes a first energy storage device and a second energy storage device, the first energy storage device having a higher power with respect to the second energy storage device, wherein the first energy storage device is configured to power the first energy consuming unit, wherein the second energy storage device is configured to power the second energy consuming unit, and wherein the first energy storage device is connectable to a charger for charging, the first energy storage device requiring a lower charging time for reaching its maximum state of charge than the second energy storage device, and wherein the first energy storage device is configured to directly provide power to the first energy consuming unit.