A vehicle includes a chassis including a frame rail extending longitudinally, a tractive element coupled to the chassis, an electric motor coupled to the chassis, a shaft coupling the electric motor to the tractive element such that the electric motor is configured to drive the tractive element to propel the vehicle, the shaft extending longitudinally, and a water pump configured to provide a flow of water in response to receiving mechanical energy provided by the electric motor.

An electric vehicle (EV) battery pack replacement system includes a replacement pack ramp structure having a replacement pack ramp, a vehicle-mountable battery pack receptacle, and a vehicle-mountable replacement pack coupling system structured to be operable to connect a vehicle to a replacement pack positioned on the ramp during movement of the vehicle over the ramp. Further movement of the vehicle over the ramp after connection to the replacement pack to the vehicle moves the replacement pack up the ramp. The ramp is structured so that movement of the replacement pack up the ramp causes the replacement pack to be positioned in in the receptacle. The system uses continuous motion of the vehicle and the replacement pack coupling system for loading a new battery, obviating the need for robotics or other active or powered infrastructure external to the vehicle.

An electric vehicle (EV) battery pack replacement system includes a replacement pack ramp structure having a replacement pack ramp, a vehicle-mountable battery pack receptacle, and a vehicle-mountable replacement pack coupling system structured to be operable to connect a vehicle to a replacement pack positioned on the ramp during movement of the vehicle over the ramp. Further movement of the vehicle over the ramp after connection to the replacement pack to the vehicle moves the replacement pack up the ramp. The ramp is structured so that movement of the replacement pack up the ramp causes the replacement pack to be positioned in in the receptacle. The system uses continuous motion of the vehicle and the replacement pack coupling system for loading a new battery, obviating the need for robotics or other active or powered infrastructure external to the vehicle.

An electric firefighting robotic vehicle includes a vehicle frame constructed and arranged to support firefighting equipment, and a set of electric motors supported by the vehicle frame to provide firefighting robotic vehicle propulsion. The electric firefighting robotic vehicle further includes a battery assembly supported by the vehicle frame. The battery assembly includes a battery chassis supported by the vehicle frame, the battery chassis defining a set of hot-swappable slots to house a set of batteries which stores electric power to operate the set of electric motors; a door constructed and arranged to cover (i) a set of slot openings to the set of hot-swappable slots defined by the battery chassis and (ii) the set of batteries when the set of batteries is housed within the set of hot-swappable slots; and hardware which couples the door with the battery chassis.

An electric firefighting robotic vehicle includes a vehicle frame constructed and arranged to support firefighting equipment, and a set of electric motors supported by the vehicle frame to provide firefighting robotic vehicle propulsion. The electric firefighting robotic vehicle further includes a battery assembly supported by the vehicle frame. The battery assembly includes a battery chassis supported by the vehicle frame, the battery chassis defining a set of hot-swappable slots to house a set of batteries which stores electric power to operate the set of electric motors; a door constructed and arranged to cover (i) a set of slot openings to the set of hot-swappable slots defined by the battery chassis and (ii) the set of batteries when the set of batteries is housed within the set of hot-swappable slots; and hardware which couples the door with the battery chassis.

An electrical vehicle including a vehicle body, a passenger compartment, a chassis supporting the passenger compartment, a plurality of wheels and at least one electrical motor for driving the wheels. A battery compartment of the vehicle is configured to removably mount therein a plurality of more than two rechargeable batteries which are movable into position in the battery compartment by a battery conveyor system which has a battery access opening through which batteries are installed or removed, one by one, to and from the battery compartment. In the battery compartment, a connection mechanism effects the needed mechanical and electrical connections. An overall control system controls the conveyor system and the connection mechanism to enable rapid replacement of the removable batteries, whereby an electrical vehicle can be instantly driven, even after its batteries have been discharged by a replacement of the discharged batteries and the installation of freshly charged batteries.

Provided are systems and methods for configuring battery packs in electric vehicles. A battery pack may include a plurality of battery modules, a support part, and at least one opening provided on the support part. The support part may be provided with a bottom for supporting the plurality of battery modules, sides, a top, and an accommodation space formed by the bottom, the sides, and the top for accommodating the plurality of battery modules. The opening provided on the bottom of the support part may enable the plurality of battery modules to be passed through the at least one opening and be detachably mounted to the bottom of the support part so as to be supported by the bottom.

A system and method for the rapid exchange of batteries in an electric vehicle. The electric vehicle contains a removable battery housed in the vehicle's undercarriage. The electric vehicle moves through the exchange system either by propelling itself or by being propelled by the system. As the vehicle is propelled forward, the removable battery within the vehicle is unlocked from the vehicle and replaced with a charged battery. The charged battery forces the removable battery out of the rear of the vehicle as the vehicle moves forward through the exchange. The vehicle remains powered throughout the exchange process. Once the charged battery is aligned in position under the vehicle and connected to the vehicle through corresponding contacts, the charged battery is located into place in the vehicle's undercarriage and the vehicle is ready for additional driving.

An electric vehicle (10) includes a power battery module (20) detachably installed at a predetermined installation position of the electric vehicle (10); the power battery module (20) includes a housing (21), a plurality of battery cells installed in the housing (21), rolling wheels (22) and a handle (23) installed on the housing, and an electric power output port. A lifting device capable of releasably holding the power battery module (20) and lifting the power battery module (20) from a ground proximity position on or near the ground to the predetermined installation position is installed at the electric vehicle. As the electric vehicle (10) is provided with the lifting device, installation and removal of the power battery thereof can be accomplished without using other installation equipment. Furthermore, the detachable power battery module (20) can be moved by a user without excessive effort.

Provided are systems and methods for configuring battery packs in electric vehicles. A battery pack may include a plurality of battery modules, a support part, and at least one opening provided on the support part. The support part may be provided with a bottom for supporting the plurality of battery modules, sides, a top, and an accommodation space formed by the bottom, the sides, and the top for accommodating the plurality of battery modules. The opening provided on the bottom of the support part may enable the plurality of battery modules to be passed through the at least one opening and be detachably mounted to the bottom of the support part so as to be supported by the bottom.