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 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.

An axle subassembly of a trailer of a vehicle includes a wheel bearing having an outer ring mechanically connected to a shaft and an electric drive/generator operably connected to the shaft, wherein the electric drive/generator in a first state is configured to generate electricity from a rotation of the shaft and wherein the electric drive/generator in a second state is configured to drive the shaft, and a controller configured to shift the electric drive/generator unit into the first state and into the second state.

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.

A concrete mixer truck includes a chassis, a plurality of tractive assemblies coupled to the chassis, a mixing drum rotatably coupled to the chassis, the mixing drum defining an internal volume configured to contain material and an aperture through which the material can enter and exit the internal volume, an energy storage device positioned at a rear end of the chassis and configured to provide electrical energy, and an electromagnetic device electrically coupled to the energy storage device, where the electromagnetic device is configured to receive the electrical energy from the energy storage device and provide mechanical energy to drive at least one of the plurality of tractive assemblies to propel the concrete mixer truck.

A concrete mixer vehicle includes a chassis, a tractive assembly coupled to the chassis and configured to propel the concrete mixer vehicle, a mixing drum rotatably coupled to the chassis, and an electromagnetic device configured to convert electrical energy to mechanical energy to drive the tractive assembly. In a first configuration, a first battery module is removably coupled to the chassis and configured to provide the electrical energy to the electromagnetic device, and in a second configuration, the first battery module is removed from the chassis and replaced with a second battery module, the second battery module removably coupled to the chassis and configured to provide the electrical energy to the electromagnetic device.

A trailer can be configured to selectively provide powered wheels, energy recovery, and/or parasitic power source charging. A trailer-related trigger (drive activation trigger, an energy recovery trigger, or a parasitic charging trigger) can be detected. When a drive activation trigger is detected, one or more motors can be activated to power one or more wheels of the trailer, thereby providing extra pushing power. When an energy recovery trigger is detected, one or more power sources of the trailer can be charged by recovering energy from the trailer. When a parasitic charging trigger is detected, one or more power sources of the trailer can be charged using a portion of the power generated by a main vehicle operatively connected to the trailer.

A tractor trailer battery system having a battery compartment containing one or more battery units which house one or more battery cells, electrical leads from the battery units to a trailer mounted controller in electrical communication with a cab mounted controller which is in electrical communication an electric motor or hybrid engine system. The battery system allows for either the trailer mounted controller or the cab mounted controller to provide principal communication to the electric motor or hybrid engine system.

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.

An energy management system for a towed vehicle includes an energy harvesting system for harvesting electrical energy from the energy of the towed vehicle, an energy storage system for storing the harvested electrical energy, and a computer controller for controlling the release of the stored electrical energy to one or more components of the towed vehicle for operating the towed vehicle.