A tractor-trailer is disclosed, with associated apparatuses. A tractor may include a tractor air duct disposed underneath a cab. The tractor air duct may extend between a front opening at a front of the tractor and a rear opening at a rear of the tractor. A trailer may include a duct system that receives airflow from the rear opening of the tractor air duct and directs the airflow to a location behind a cargo compartment. An air distributor may be disposed behind the cargo compartment. An air distributor may include a fairing with openings, so that airflow from the duct system enters a space between the cargo compartment and the fairing, and exits the openings behind the trailer.

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 transmission assembly includes a common ring gear assembly, a first sun gear, a first planet carrier, a second sun gear and a second planet carrier. A set of planet gears of each one of the first and second planet carriers meshing with the common ring gear assembly. The set of planet gears of the first planet carrier meshing with the first sun gear and the set of planet gears of the second planet carrier meshing with the second sun gear. The transmission assembly further includes a transmission housing. The second sun gear is adapted to be connected to a transmission input shaft; the common ring gear assembly is adapted to be connected to a transmission output shaft, and the second planet carrier and the first sun gear are operatively connected to each other.

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.

An electric vehicle (EV) battery unit and installation method is provided herein. The EV battery unit includes a modular housing with a central section with batteries positioned therein and a first lateral section with a battery cooler that is designed to reduce a temperature of the batteries and an inverter that is positioned therein and electrically coupled to the batteries. The modular housing further includes a first frame attachment interface profiled to attach to a first longitudinal frame rail in an EV and a second frame attachment interface profiled to attach to a second longitudinal frame rail in the EV, where the batteries are positioned laterally between the first and second frame attachment interfaces.

Methods and systems are provided for cooling a hydrogen fuel cell assembly. A vehicle system, in one example, includes a hydrogen fuel cell assembly electrically coupled to a traction motor, positioned behind a cab, and including a plurality of hydrogen storage tanks and hydrogen fuel cells. The vehicle system further includes a fuel cell cooling assembly including an inlet manifold in a deflector, where the deflector is fixedly coupled to and positioned vertically above the cab and designed to direct airflow to a fan array that is coupled to a fuel cell assembly heat exchanger, where the fan array is positioned behind inlet manifold and longitudinally offset therefrom.

Methods and systems are provided for an electric vehicle powertrain. The vehicle system includes an electric distribution assembly with a junction box that is electrically coupled to a traction motor-generator and is designed to electrically coupled to, via separate circuits, a traction battery assembly and a hydrogen fuel cell assembly that is positioned behind a vehicle cab. In the system, the traction battery assembly is positioned vertically below the hydrogen fuel cell assembly.

An integrated fill system is provided for a vehicle. The integrated fill system can include a container configured to house a compressed gas having a first end and a second end. A first neck mount is configured to receive the first end of the container and configured to restrict movement, and a second neck mount is configured to receive the second end of the container and configured to enable movement. A housing is configured to encase the container and the first and second neck mounts. A fill line has a first end coupled to the first end of the container, and a draw line has a first end coupled to the second end of the container. A filter is arranged proximate to the fill line to prevent contaminants from entering the container.

A fuel system is provided that includes a fuel system frame and in some cases access steps. The frame can be mounted to a vehicle frame rail. Bracket assemblies can be coupled to the fuel system frame at a plurality of positions. The fuel tank can be mounted at neck portions thereof and can be supported on the frame rail between the neck portion, e.g., spaced a distance from the neck portions in a longitudinal direction of the fuel system. The access steps can be non-rectangular to provide a wide stepping portion even if the fuel system includes large tanks. The steps can be directly supported by an outside surface of the tank.

A heavy-duty vehicle having a chassis, a front steering axle, and first and second rear axles. The first rear axle may include a first rear axle housing, a first carrier housing, and a second carrier housing and the second rear axle may include a second axle housing, a third carrier housing, and a fourth carrier housing. A first permanent magnet motor may be coupled to the first carrier housing and engaged with a first gearset, and a second permanent magnet motor may be coupled to the second carrier housing and engaged with a second gearset. A first induction motor may be coupled to the third carrier housing and engaged with a third gearset, and a second induction motor may be coupled to the fourth carrier housing and engaged with a fourth gearset.