This application is directed to an apparatus for providing electrical charge to a vehicle. The apparatus comprises a driven mass, a generator, a charger, a hardware controller, and a communication circuit. The driven mass rotates in response to a kinetic energy of the vehicle and is coupled to a shaft such that rotation of the driven mass causes the shaft to rotate. The driven mass exists in one of (1) an extended position and (2) a retracted position. The generator generates an electrical output based on a mechanical input coupled to the shaft such that rotation of the shaft causes the mechanical input to rotate. The charger is electrically coupled to the generator and: receives the electrical output, generates a charge output based on the electrical output, and conveys the charge output to the vehicle. The controller controls whether the driven mass is in the extended position or the retracted position in response to a signal received from the communication circuit.

A vehicle includes a frame, an electric motor coupled to the frame and configured to selectively receive power from at least one battery pack and operable in a first operation mode and a second operation mode that is different from the first operation mode. A wheel assembly is coupled to the frame and driven by the motor. A control device is operable by a user to control operation of the vehicle. The control device is moveable between a first position relative to the frame corresponding to a riding configuration in which a user is able to operate the control device while seated on a seat on the frame, and a second position relative to the frame corresponding to a walking configuration in which a user is able to operate the control device while walking adjacent the vehicle. Movement of the control device from the second position to the first position triggers conversion from operation of the motor in the second operation mode to operation of the motor in the first operation mode. Movement of the control device from the first position to the second position triggers conversion from operation of the motor in the first operation mode to operation of the motor in the second operation mode.

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.

System and methods for improvements in the areas of, electrical vehicle range, availability of charging stations and charging time required for electric vehicles (10A) are described. The embodiments described herein use a modular battery (22) structure that makes it convenient and easy by a driver to be able to remove spent or discharged battery modules (22) individually in the electric vehicle (10A) and replace them with fresh or charged modules (22) that would be available at any gas station (70) or a vending station (38) specifically for such battery modules (22).

An electric vehicle includes a chassis and a seat assembly that includes a plurality of seats mounted to the chassis. The chassis includes a vehicle frame defining a mounting space, and a battery module disposed in the mounting space and including an outer battery unit that is mounted to the vehicle frame, and an inner battery unit that is coupled to the outer battery unit. The vehicle frame is operable to switch between an expanded state, where the inner battery unit is permitted to be coupled to the outer battery unit and the seats are spaced apart from each other, and a collapsed state, where the inner battery unit is prevented from being coupled to the outer battery unit and the seats are overlapped with each other.

A vehicle chassis including a vehicle frame defining an inner space and being operable to switch between a first expanded state and a collapsed state, and a loading device mounted to the inner space and removably connected to the vehicle frame. The loading device defines a first loading surface when the vehicle frame is in the first expanded state, and the loading device defines a second loading surface that is smaller than the first loading surface when the vehicle frame is in the collapsed state.

Provided are: a battery case structure for electric-powered vehicles wherein restrictions on the size or the like of a battery mountable on electric-powered vehicles are alleviated, and the attaching/detaching operability is improved; and an electric-powered vehicle. A battery case structure is equipped with: a cover member which is disposed below the center in the longitudinal direction of a main frame and rocks in the transverse direction of the vehicle; and a lower frame which is connected to the main frame, and is disposed in such a manner as to go around the bottom of the cover member. A battery is detachably inserted into the cover member through the detachable opening separated from the main frame. When the detachable opening is brought close to the main frame, the battery housed in the cover member is supported on the lower frame and housed between the lower frame and the main frame.

An embodiment is directed to a battery module, including a plurality of battery cell groups that are connected in series with each other, each of the plurality of battery cell groups including a plurality of battery cells that are connected to each other in parallel, a first terminal component at a first terminal of the battery module, the first terminal corresponding to either a positive terminal of the battery module or a negative terminal of the battery module, and a first heat pipe positioned in proximity to the first terminal component and configured to transfer heat away from the first terminal component.

A pickup truck includes a box side inner panel, a box side outer panel, a first compartment defined between the box side inner panel and the box side outer panel and a battery cooling pack held in the first compartment. A storage space customization feature may also be provided in the first compartment.

An embodiment is directed to a hybrid contact plate arrangement in a battery module that includes a plurality of contact plates configured to be arranged on a given side of a set of battery cells in the battery module, at least one insulation layer configured to provide insulation between each of the plurality of contact plates, wherein the set of battery cells includes a plurality of groups of battery cells, and wherein the plurality of contact plates each include a set of bonding connectors, the sets of bonding connectors being configured to connect to the positive and negative terminals of the plurality of groups of battery cells so as to connect battery cells in each of the plurality of groups of battery cells in parallel with each other, and to connect the plurality of groups of battery cells in series with each other.