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 or trailer assembly is disclosed comprising at least one fan positioned on an exterior of the vehicle or trailer, wherein the at least one fan redirects or accelerates air moving over, around, or through the exterior of the vehicle or trailer. Also disclosed is a fan assembly comprising a manifold configured to be positioned on an outside surface of a vehicle, along an axis transverse to a direction of travel of the vehicle. The fan assembly also includes a plurality of motorized fans rotatably mounted along the axis of the manifold, such that the motorized fans are configured to accelerate air passing along the outside surface or within an exterior of the vehicle, in the direction of travel of the vehicle.

A power control system may include at least one of batteries, a motor, and a data logic analyzer that can interpret certain variable conditions of a transport, such as a tractor trailer, moving along a road or highway. The data can be used to determine when to apply supplemental power to the wheels of a trailer to reduce fuel usage. One example device may include at least one of a power source affixed to a trailer to capture energy from movement of an axle of the trailer, and a motor powered by the power source to operate and provide movement assistance to the axle.

A power control system may include at least one of batteries, a motor, and a data logic analyzer that can interpret certain variable conditions of a transport, such as a tractor trailer, moving along a road or highway. The data can be used to determine when to apply supplemental power to the wheels of a trailer to reduce fuel usage. One example device may include at least one of: a power creation module that generates electrical power, a battery which store the electrical power, a motor affixed to a trailer axle of a trailer which provides a turning force to the trailer axle when enabled to operate from the stored electrical power of the battery, and a motor controller configured to initiate the motor to operate according to a predefined sensor condition.

A vehicle or trailer assembly is disclosed comprising at least one fan positioned on an exterior of the vehicle or trailer, wherein the at least one fan redirects or accelerates air moving over, around, or through the exterior of the vehicle or trailer. Also disclosed is a fan assembly comprising a manifold configured to be positioned on an outside surface of a vehicle, along an axis transverse to a direction of travel of the vehicle. The fan assembly also includes a plurality of motorized fans rotatably mounted along the axis of the manifold, such that the motorized fans are configured to accelerate air passing along the outside surface or within an exterior of the vehicle, in the direction of travel of the vehicle.

A power battery heating system of an electric vehicle including: a heating module configured to heat the power battery of the electric vehicle; a solar sunroof; and a sunroof control unit configured to control the operation of the heating module and the electric energy output of the solar sunroof; wherein the heating system is configured to start a power battery heating operation based on the solar sunroof when the power battery is not in a high voltage output state and the temperature of the power battery is lower than a temperature threshold, the power battery heating operation including: controlling the solar sunroof to output electric energy to the heating module such that the heating module performs the heating of the power battery using the electric energy from the solar sunroof.

Disclosed herein is an electric vehicle including a power source, an electric motor adapted to be supplied with electric power from the power source for vehicle driving, a sheet-shaped solar battery for electric power generation, a storing portion for storing the sheet-shaped solar battery in its nonoperating condition, and a connecting unit for allowing the supply of electric power from the sheet-shaped solar battery to at least one of the electric motor and the power source, wherein when the sheet-shaped solar battery is used to perform electric power generation, the sheet-shaped solar battery is taken out of the storing portion and then spread to effect photovoltaic power generation.

Systems of an electrical vehicle and the operations thereof are provided. In particular, a towing cable and methods for utilizing the same in a towing scenario are described. The towing cable is described to facilitate the transfer of power between vehicles as well as data between vehicles. The data transferred between the vehicles involved in the towing include sensor information of the towed vehicle as well as control signals.

A system for powering an electric vehicle includes two independent rechargeable batteries. Each battery of the two independent rechargeable batteries includes one or more battery cells. There is circuitry for charging each of the two independent rechargeable batteries and circuitry for drawing electrical energy from one or both of the two independent rechargeable batteries such that during normal operation of the electric vehicle, a first battery of the two independent rechargeable batteries is charged from any available charge potential (e.g., power from generators or solar power) and a second battery of the two independent rechargeable batteries is utilized to power the electric vehicle.