In some embodiments, a powered trailer is provided having a chassis, a fixation structure for fixing the chassis to a target vehicle to be pushed, a drive mechanism for applying motive force to the chassis, an energy source for powering the drive mechanism, and a controller for controlling the application of motive force to the chassis by the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism is actuated by the controller to push the target vehicle.

A trailer for a vehicle with a high voltage traction-battery. The trailer may be a self-propelled trailer to substantially match vehicle dynamics and minimize impact on the vehicle. Alternatively, the trailer may push the vehicle to simulate hill descent, or drag on the vehicle to simulate hill ascent. The trailer may provide power for the vehicle. The trailer may provide current to a vehicle electric machine. The trailer may also provide current to recharge a vehicle traction-battery. The trailer may also recharge its own traction-battery.

A riding lawn mower may include a first frame portion, a second frame portion, an articulated joint and a battery system. The articulated joint may couple the first frame portion to the second frame portion. The battery system may include a first battery and a second battery. The first and second batteries may be electrically connected in series and collectively coupled to a load. The first battery may be mounted to the first frame portion and the second battery may be mounted to the second frame portion.

An electrified vehicle includes a chassis, a front axle, a rear axle, a vehicle component including at least one of a pump, a compressor, or an alternator, an energy storage device including a plurality of batteries, and an electromagnetic device coupled to both (a) at least one of the front axle or the rear axle and (b) the vehicle component. The electromagnetic device is powered by the energy storage device and configured to selectively provide a mechanical output to (i) the at least one of the front axle or the rear axle and (ii) the vehicle component.

Vehicles and systems for modular power source storage. A vehicle may include a power source detachable from the vehicle. The power source may supply power to the vehicle and a remote device. The vehicle may further include a cargo bed that stores the power source. The cargo bed or a portion of the cargo bed may be removable from rest of the vehicle along with the power source.

One variation of a system includes a drive subsystem and a controller. The drive subsystem includes: a chassis configured to transiently install on a trailer over a range of longitudinal positions; a set of retention features configured to transiently engage a first subset of engagement features, in a first array of engagement features on a left rail of the trailer and in a second array of engagement features on a right rail of the trailer, to couple the drive subsystem to the trailer in a particular longitudinal position in the range of longitudinal positions; a driven axle suspended from the chassis; and a motor coupled to the driven axle. The controller is configured to: trigger the motor to output torque to the driven axle; and trigger the motor to regeneratively brake the driven axle.

A self contained battery and slide frame houses a pair of trailer axles and an electrical vehicle storage battery secured by parallel slide frame rails adapted for attachment to an underside of a standard tractor trailer (Class 8) trailer frame. The slide frame attaches to an underside of a trailer using perforated frame beams used to vary a position of the wheel/axle assemblies relative to the trailer body and payload. The slide frame rails provide self contained support for a storage battery, e-axle, control electronics and connecting wires for charging and running a vehicle load from the storage battery. Vehicle loads powered by the storage battery include transport refrigeration units (TRUs) and electrical vehicle (EV) tractors.

A vehicle trailer for a tractive unit, in particular in the form of a semitrailer or a drawbar trailer, has at least one electric drive system component which is integrated into the vehicle trailer and can be coupled to an electric drive system of the tractive unit. The at least one electric drive system component has an electric energy store that can be coupled to the electric drive system through an interface.

An inclined rib is provided on a bottom wall of the battery case. The inclined rib transmits the collision load input from the vehicle front side to the rocker side, and the inclination transmits the collision load input from the vehicle rear side to the rocker side. That is, by providing the inclined rib in the bottom wall of the battery case, it is possible to secure the transmission path of the collision load (so-called front collision load or so-called rear collision load) input from the vehicle front side or the vehicle rear side.

A through-the-road (TTR) hybridization strategy is proposed to facilitate introducing 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.