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 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 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 vehicle body structure includes spaced roof rails and a structural air duct. The air duct has at least two bows connecting between the roof rails and defining first and second channels. An interconnecting member is connected between the bows and defines a third channel connecting the first and second channels in fluid communication with each other. At least one of the bows defines an outlet port configured to supply air to a cabin.

Various techniques described herein relate to battery packs of electric vehicles, batteries, and battery charging systems. Batteries may comprise a plurality of battery modules, wherein each battery module may be provided with one or more battery cells, and the plurality of battery modules may be connected in series when providing electric power output. Battery charging systems described herein may comprise a charging circuit that connects a plurality of battery modules in series, and may be used for charging the plurality of battery modules in the battery in series. Additional charging circuits may be connected respectively to the plurality of battery modules, and the additional charging circuits may be used for charging at least one battery module in the plurality of battery modules.

A heat pump system can be used with a vehicle. A cooling system includes a radiator connected to a cooling line and a first water pump and circulating a coolant along the cooling line so as to cool an electric component. A battery module is provided on a battery cooling line selectively connected to the cooling line through a first valve. And HVAC module includes an internal heater connected to the cooling line through a first connection line, a cooler connected to the battery cooling line through a second connection line, and an opening or closing door provided between the internal heater and the cooler and controlling external air passing through the cooler to be selectively introduced into the internal heater depending on cooling, heating, and heating and dehumidifying modes of the vehicle. A centralized energy is connected to each of the battery cooling line and the cooling line.

A Hybrid-Lite system for use with a vehicle includes a prime mover, an electric power system, and auxiliaries. The prime mover comprises an internal combustion engine. The electric power system is configured to be driven by the combustion engine to produce electric energy for powering the auxiliaries.

This patent application is directed to thermal management systems of vehicles with an electric powertrain. More specifically, the battery system and one or more powertrain components and/or cabin climate control components of a vehicle share the same thermal circuit as the battery module through which heat can be exchanged between the battery module and one or more powertrain or climate control components as needed.

A vehicle includes an electrical powertrain, a heater, at least one cooling loop, and a controller. The heater is configured to heat a vehicle cabin. The at least one cooling loop is configured to transport waste heat from at least one subcomponent of the electrical powertrain to the vehicle cabin. The controller is programmed to, in response to a command to heat the vehicle cabin and a command to operate in an economy mode, shut down the heater and operate the at least one cooling loop to transport the waste heat to the vehicle cabin. The controller is further programmed to, in response to the command to heat the vehicle cabin and an absence of the command to operate in the economy mode, operate the heater to heat the vehicle cabin.

A storage device includes a storage unit that can store a thing or things therein, and a lid that can swing to open and close an upper face of the storage unit. The lid includes movable hinges provided on a rotary shaft, a main body supported by the movable hinges, a base portion supported by the main body, an electronic component provided on a part of an upper surface of the base portion, and a cable for feeding electricity to the electronic component. A part of the electronic component passes through an electronic component hole formed in the base portion, and the electronic component and the cable are connected to each other below the base portion.