Vehicles may be composed of a relatively few number of “modules” that are assembled together during a final assembly process. An example vehicle may include a body module, a first drive module coupled to a first end of the body module, and a second drive module coupled to a second end of the body module. One or both of the drive modules may include a pair of wheels, a battery, an electric drive motor, and/or a heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. One or both of the drive modules may also include a crash structure to absorb impacts. If a component of a drive module fails or is damaged, the drive module can be quickly and easily replaced with a new drive module, minimizing vehicle down time.

A through the road (TTR) hybridization strategy is proposed to facilitate introduction of hybrid electric vehicle technology in a significant portion of current and expected trucking fleets. In some cases, the technologies can be retrofitted onto an existing vehicle (e.g., a truck, a tractor unit, a trailer, a tractor-trailer configuration, at a tandem, etc.). In some cases, the technologies can be built into new vehicles. In some cases, one vehicle may be built or retrofitted to operate in tandem with another and provide the hybridization benefits contemplated herein. By supplementing motive forces delivered through a primary drivetrain and fuel-fed engine with supplemental torque delivered at one or more electrically-powered drive axles, improvements in overall fuel efficiency and performance may be delivered, typically without significant redesign of existing components and systems that have been proven in the trucking industry.

The present invention relates to electric drivetrain kits for converting all-terrain vehicles into hybrid or electric vehicles. In exemplary embodiments, a conversion kit replaces an existing standard single motor and transmission drive system with a dual set-up including a motor for each rear wheel and a split transmission that houses two sets of gear reduction components in a single housing or an all-wheel configuration with two transmission sets (front and rear). Dual output shafts in each transmission set drive the wheels independently to provide the torque needed as required and demanded by each wheel. System electronics send signals to the motors and other components to manage the system and independently control each wheel.

A through the road (TTR) hybridization strategy is proposed to facilitate introduction of hybrid electric vehicle technology in a significant portion of current and expected trucking fleets. In some cases, the technologies can be retrofitted onto an existing vehicle (e.g., a trailer, a tractor-trailer configuration, etc.). In some cases, the technologies can be built into new vehicles. In some cases, one vehicle may be built or retrofitted to operate in tandem with another and provide the hybridization benefits contemplated herein. By supplementing motive forces delivered through a primary drivetrain and fuel-fed engine with supplemental torque delivered at one or more electrically-powered drive axles, improvements in overall fuel efficiency and performance may be delivered, typically without significant redesign of existing components and systems that have been proven in the trucking industry.

Vehicles may be composed of a relatively few number of “modules” that are assembled together during a final assembly process. An example vehicle may include a body module, a first drive module coupled to a first end of the body module, and a second drive module coupled to a second end of the body module. One or both of the drive modules may include a pair of wheels, a battery, an electric drive motor, and/or a heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. One or both of the drive modules may also include a crash structure to absorb impacts. If a component of a drive module fails or is damaged, the drive module can be quickly and easily replaced with a new drive module, minimizing vehicle down time.

A battery assembly for an electric vehicle is provided that includes a housing, one or more battery units, and a mounting system. The one or more battery units are disposed within the housing. The mounting system is disposed adjacent to a top surface, e.g., on a planar top surface or within an upwardly oriented concavity. The mounting system has a frame member bracket and a housing bracket system. The housing bracket system includes a housing bracket, a load member and a vibration isolator. The housing bracket is configured to be coupled to the frame member bracket. The load member has a first portion disposed adjacent to an upper surface and a second portion disposed along a lateral portion of the housing. The vibration isolator is disposed between the load member and the housing bracket. The vibration isolator is configured to reduce load transmission from the frame member of the vehicle to the housing.

A through the road (TTR) hybridization strategy is proposed to facilitate introduction of hybrid electric vehicle technology in a significant portion of current and expected trucking fleets. In some cases, the technologies can be retrofitted onto an existing vehicle (e.g., a trailer, a tractor-trailer configuration, etc.). In some cases, the technologies can be built into new vehicles. In some cases, one vehicle may be built or retrofitted to operate in tandem with another and provide the hybridization benefits contemplated herein. By supplementing motive forces delivered through a primary drivetrain and fuel-fed engine with supplemental torque delivered at one or more electrically-powered drive axles, improvements in overall fuel efficiency and performance may be delivered, typically without significant redesign of existing components and systems that have been proven in the trucking industry.

The present disclosure is directed to electric vehicles. A modular electric vehicle includes an electric vehicle chassis that includes an energy storage device, chassis control circuitry, and one or more communication interfaces disposed on an upper surface of the chassis. The chassis further includes an electric motor, suspension and drivetrain to provide an operating vehicle. An electric vehicle includes an internal combustion engine that drives an electric drive motor for charging a vehicle battery The vehicle may be driven solely by electric power, i.e., the internal combustion engine may provide no drive power to the axles of the vehicle and is used primarily for charging the battery. In some embodiments, electric motors may be coupled to one or both of the vehicle axles and the battery may be coupled to one or both the drive motors under control of a controller.

The disclosure relates to an electric vehicle for the transportation of persons and/or loads, having a frame structure and axle modules which are coupled to the frame structure, a front axle module and a rear axle module, to which in each case the wheels are coupled kinematically, at least one of the axle modules having a drive and an energy source. One of the axle modules has four suspension points for the attachment by means of elastic bearings to the frame structure, in each case, two suspension points forming a pair, and the pairs lying at different heights in the motor vehicle vertical direction.

A battery pack heating apparatus for double vehicle heating and a control method. In the embodiments of the present application, the apparatus is portably arranged outside a vehicle, and includes: an energy storage device; a current sensor; a first diode, an input end of the first diode connected with a second end of the current sensor; a first heating interface; a first switching device connected between the second end of the current sensor and a positive electrode of the first heating interface; a second diode, an output end of the second diode connected with the second end of the current sensor; a second heating interface; a second switching device connected between the second end of the current sensor and a negative electrode of the second heating interface; and a heating control module configured to control on-off states of the first and the second switching devices.