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.

In order to achieve sufficiently stable output voltage with low losses even during rapid load changes in a battery emulator, a battery emulator is controlled using model-based control with a model of the battery emulator, wherein a line inductance of the electric line and the back-up capacitor is integrated into the model of the battery emulator.

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 power control device for a power supply mounted on a vehicle is provided, which includes a generator mounted on the vehicle and configured to regenerate power from kinetic energy of the vehicle, a high-voltage battery configured to accumulate the power regenerated by the generator, a low-voltage battery of which a nominal voltage is lower than the high-voltage battery, a voltage converter configured to lower an output voltage from the high-voltage battery and charge the low-voltage battery at the lower voltage, and a controller configured to control the voltage converter. The controller operates the voltage converter to start the charging of the low-voltage battery after the vehicle is powered ON and before an engine mounted on the vehicle is started.

Disclosed is a removable vehicle battery system comprising an energy storage device configured to power a vehicle, and including a removable energy storage module that contains a store of energy. The system further includes a control unit configured to control charging and discharging of the removable energy storage module, along with a removable converter configured to convert the store of energy into a usable format for an external device, and a power outlet configured to supply energy from the store of energy to the external device in the usable format, usable by the external device when the removable energy storage module is removed from the vehicle. The system provides a communication link between the external device and any of the removable energy storage module, the removable converter, or the control unit. The communication link receives information from the external device regarding the energy format or formats it requires and communicates this to the control unit. The communication link also communicates to the control unit information regarding the quantity of energy stored in the removable energy storage module, and the formats in which the removable energy storage module can supply this energy to the external device. In response to receiving the information regarding the store of energy and the usable format, the control unit controls energy delivery from the removable energy storage module to the external device.

A modular electric truck system provides an electric truck that has a scalable chassis that can be equipped with interchangeable modular body components that detachably attach to the truck chassis to change the appearance and functionality of the electric truck. An interior cabin comprises furniture, lighting elements, computer devices, and entertainment systems. The driver sits in a center driving position where visibility and positional awareness is enhanced. The electric truck is 100% electrical; and thereby provides convenient electrical charging means for the truck through a charging trailer that attaches to the truck, and/or at least one solar panel on the roof, bed, or trailer of the truck. The solar panel charges a battery that operatively connects to a hub motor in the wheels. A remote control system remotely controls at least one trailer. The trailer may be tethered, wireless, or autonomous to wirelessly track and follow the truck.

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.

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.

Methods and systems related to a charging station for a tracked mobile object are disclosed. In one embodiment, a charging station is provided. The charging station comprises a charging port for a remote control, a regulator that provides power from a power source to the charging port, a transceiver that transmits an outbound positioning signal to the remote control, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions for a method. The method comprises at least one of generating the outbound positioning signal and receiving an inbound positioning signal.