An electric vehicle may include a frame, a set of wheels, and an electric propulsion system comprising an electric motor and a primary battery assembly including a first battery pack that powers the electric motor. The vehicle may also include an auxiliary battery pack configured to power the electric motor when the primary battery assembly is disconnected from the electric motor. The primary battery assembly may be non-destructively removable from the frame. In addition, the auxiliary battery pack may be fixedly attached to the frame.

A mounting and dismounting system for a battery assembly is disclosed. The system may be located onboard of an electric vehicle powered by a battery pack disposed in the battery assembly. The system includes a pair of four-bar linkages that can be used to raise and lower the battery assembly. Each four-bar linkage includes a pair of hooks with different vertical positions. The hooks are positioned to grasp horizontal mounting bars that are disposed on the battery assembly. Using vertically displaced hooks ensures the battery can be raised and lowered without rocking.

An alignment and locking system for a battery assembly is disclosed. The system may be located onboard of an electric vehicle powered by a battery pack disposed in the battery assembly. The system includes a set of receiving members fixed to the chassis. The battery assembly includes a cage with mounting bars. When the mounting bars are received in the receiving members they may be locked into place against the chassis. The system can also include a set of v-blocks that engage vertically oriented bars in the cage to help with horizontal alignment of the battery assembly.

An electric vehicle includes a drive unit fitted to a rear axle of the electric vehicle to transmit drive power generated by a motor to rear wheels of the electric vehicle, an auxiliary electric device group including a plurality of auxiliary electric devices disposed in a cab area which is disposed under a cab of the electric vehicle and between side rails which constitute a ladder frame of the electric vehicle, a battery pack disposed between the drive unit and the auxiliary electric device group and between the side rails, a power distribution device disposed on an auxiliary electric device group side of the battery pack and between the side rails to distribute power from the battery pack to the auxiliary electric devices, and a drive power supply device disposed on a drive unit side of the battery pack to supply power from the battery pack to the motor.

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 zero emissions electrically powered haul truck is disclosed. The haul truck has a 40 metric ton hauling capacity and a form factor that allows the truck to travel through underground mines. The truck also includes a primary battery assembly that is externally mounted along the front and sides of the truck.

A method and system for swapping batteries in an electric vehicle is disclosed. The method includes dismounting a first battery assembly, moving to a second battery assembly and mounting the second battery assembly onto the vehicle. Mounting and dismounting are accomplished by an onboard mounting and dismounting system. The method can be used in a zero infrastructure environment such as an underground mine since mounting and dismounting are accomplished by components on the vehicle itself. An auxiliary battery pack powers the vehicle during between dismounting a battery pack and mounting another battery pack.

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.

A method and system for swapping batteries in an electric vehicle is disclosed. The method includes dismounting a first battery assembly, moving to a second battery assembly and mounting the second battery assembly onto the vehicle. Mounting and dismounting are accomplished by an onboard mounting and dismounting system. The method can be used in a zero infrastructure environment such as an underground mine since mounting and dismounting are accomplished by components on the vehicle itself. An auxiliary battery pack powers the vehicle during between dismounting a battery pack and mounting another battery pack.