A lower structure for a hybrid automobile in which a high-voltage battery is disposed in a lower surface of a floor panel includes an engine exhaust system component which is disposed in front of the high-voltage battery in the lower surface of the floor panel and on one vehicle-width-direction side of a center in a vehicle width direction and high-voltage devices which are disposed in front of the high-voltage battery and on another vehicle-width-direction side of the center in the vehicle width direction. In-vehicle equipment is disposed between the high-voltage battery and the high-voltage devices, and the in-vehicle equipment is in an inclined state where an upper surface of the in-vehicle equipment is inclined in a front-rear direction such that the in-vehicle equipment has a shorter dimension in the front-rear direction than a dimension in a horizontal state where the upper surface becomes horizontal.

A lower structure for a hybrid automobile in which a high-voltage battery is disposed in a lower surface of a floor panel includes an engine exhaust system component which is disposed in front of the high-voltage battery in the lower surface of the floor panel and on one vehicle-width-direction side of a center in a vehicle width direction and high-voltage devices which are disposed in front of the high-voltage battery and on another vehicle-width-direction side of the center in the vehicle width direction. In-vehicle equipment is disposed between the high-voltage battery and the high-voltage devices, and the in-vehicle equipment is in an inclined state where an upper surface of the in-vehicle equipment is inclined in a front-rear direction such that the in-vehicle equipment has a shorter dimension in the front-rear direction than a dimension in a horizontal state where the upper surface becomes horizontal.

A traction battery assembly includes battery cells of a battery array, and switches of the battery array. The switches are transitionable between a first configuration and a second configuration. When the switches are in the first configuration, the battery cells of the array are partitioned into a first number of groups of battery cells in parallel with each other. When the switches are in the second configuration, the battery cells of the array are partitioned into a different, second number of groups of battery cells in parallel with each other.

A traction battery assembly includes battery cells of a battery array, and switches of the battery array. The switches are transitionable between a first configuration and a second configuration. When the switches are in the first configuration, the battery cells of the array are partitioned into a first number of groups of battery cells in parallel with each other. When the switches are in the second configuration, the battery cells of the array are partitioned into a different, second number of groups of battery cells in parallel with each other.

A battery pack which is placed below a floor panel of a vehicle, includes a battery, a case for accommodating the battery, and a pressure release mechanism for releasing pressure inside the case. The pressure release mechanism includes a communication member which has one end and the other end and where the one end is connected to the case, and a gas discharge unit connected to the other end of the communication member and having a labyrinth structure.

A battery pack which is placed below a floor panel of a vehicle, includes a battery, a case for accommodating the battery, and a pressure release mechanism for releasing pressure inside the case. The pressure release mechanism includes a communication member which has one end and the other end and where the one end is connected to the case, and a gas discharge unit connected to the other end of the communication member and having a labyrinth structure.

An energy-absorbing impact assembly for an electric vehicle includes a bumper assembly. The bumper assembly includes an elongated center beam that extends laterally from a first end to a second end and longitudinally between a front side and a rear side. The energy-absorbing impact assembly includes a tubular support positioned on the rear side of the elongated center beam. The energy-absorbing impact assembly includes a crash box positioned on the rear side of the elongated center beam. The energy-absorbing impact assembly includes a ring assembly positioned on the rear side of the elongated center beam. The ring assembly includes a ring body and a plurality of struts that extend from the ring body. The bumper assembly, the tubular support, the crash box, or the ring assembly are configured to deform upon impact.

An energy-absorbing impact assembly for an electric vehicle includes a bumper assembly. The bumper assembly includes an elongated center beam that extends laterally from a first end to a second end and longitudinally between a front side and a rear side. The energy-absorbing impact assembly includes a tubular support positioned on the rear side of the elongated center beam. The energy-absorbing impact assembly includes a crash box positioned on the rear side of the elongated center beam. The energy-absorbing impact assembly includes a ring assembly positioned on the rear side of the elongated center beam. The ring assembly includes a ring body and a plurality of struts that extend from the ring body. The bumper assembly, the tubular support, the crash box, or the ring assembly are configured to deform upon impact.

The disclosure is directed to methods and systems for provisioning mobile electric vehicles with various operational settings data transmitted over the air. A vehicle or its components may operate according to operational settings corresponding to operational settings data included in the vehicle components. A server that is remote to the vehicle may comprise operational settings data and may transmit operational settings data to the vehicle. The server may transmit operational settings data automatically, such as on a periodic basis, in response to a request, such as from a user or from a vehicle component or anytime new or updated operational settings data are available for the vehicle or its components.

A battery case for an electric vehicle includes a main body in which a loading region is partitioned off for loading a plurality of battery modules, a sidewall frame forming a sidewall edge portion of the main body and extending upwards, the sidewall frame including a curving portion to correspond with a shape of a vehicle body adopting a multi-link trailing-arm suspension structure, and a first support member and a second support member which are configured to extend from the main body in the longitudinal and transverse directions for partitioning of the loading region.