The invention provides for a high occupancy or heavy-duty vehicle with a battery propulsion power source, which may include lithium titanate batteries. The vehicle may be all-battery or may be a hybrid, and may have a composite body. The vehicle battery system may be housed within the floor of the vehicle and may have different groupings and arrangements.

The invention provides a range extension system including a range extension assembly, a fuel supply unit, and a second fuel storage device. The range extension assembly has a first fuel input portion and a second fuel input portion. The first fuel input portion is configured to receive a first fuel source. The second fuel input portion is configured to receive a second fuel source different from the first fuel source. The second fuel source and the first fuel source are mixed in the range extension assembly to generate an electrical output. The fuel supply unit is configured to provide the first fuel source to the first fuel input portion. The second fuel storage device is configured to store and provide the second fuel source to the second fuel input portion.

An electrical energy management system includes a first battery having a nominal operating voltage, a second battery having a charging voltage sufficiently close to the nominal operating voltage of the first battery such that the first battery can charge the second battery when the first battery and the second battery are electrically connected in parallel, a generator that is controllable to provide a variable output voltage, a starter motor, an electrical load, a plurality of switches each controllable to be in an open state or a closed state, and a controller that is configured to control the output voltage of the generator and to control the open or closed state of each of the plurality of switches.

A refueling station for an electric vehicle powered by a rechargeable battery. The station has a rack/frame containing rechargeable electric batteries, some fully charged. The removal of the rechargeable battery from the electric vehicle is accomplished by a grasping mechanism that engages the battery within the vehicle, removes it, and places it on the rack/frame. A gauge reads a charge capacity of the rechargeable battery withdrawn from the electric vehicle for purposes of charging the owner of the electric vehicle.

A refueling station for an electric vehicle powered by a rechargeable battery. The station has a rack/frame containing rechargeable electric batteries, some fully charged. The removal of the rechargeable battery from the electric vehicle is accomplished by a grasping mechanism that engages the battery within the vehicle, removes it, and places it on the rack/frame. A gauge reads a charge capacity of the rechargeable battery withdrawn from the electric vehicle for purposes of charging the owner of the electric vehicle.

A controller of a drive system is configured to, when a power switch is changed from an on state to an off state in a situation in which it has been diagnosed that an abnormality is occurring in a motor generator, execute a starting check process of checking a drive circuit and an engine starting process of starting an engine. The starting check process includes a voltage reduction process of driving a DC-DC converter until a capacitor voltage becomes lower than or equal to a prescribed voltage. The controller is configured to, on condition that the controller determines through a voltage reduction determination process that the capacitor voltage is reduced as compared to the capacitor voltage at an end of the voltage reduction process, execute the engine starting process.

A charging system for generating power for an electrical vehicle in motion is provided. The charging system embodies a parallel arrangement of alternators equipped with electromagnetic clutch drives disposed between a starter power source/drive assembly and electric storage device of the electrical vehicle. A charge controller controls the downstream balanced charge to the electric storage device through de-activating or activating the alternators' electromagnetic clutch drives to operate at a set RPM range. The systemic and selective control of the electromagnetic clutches addresses resistance of the alternators at higher RPMs.

A charging system for generating power for an electrical vehicle in motion is provided. The charging system embodies a parallel arrangement of alternators equipped with electromagnetic clutch drives disposed between a starter power source/drive assembly and electric storage device of the electrical vehicle. A charge controller controls the downstream balanced charge to the electric storage device through de-activating or activating the alternators' electromagnetic clutch drives to operate at a set RPM range. The systemic and selective control of the electromagnetic clutches addresses resistance of the alternators at higher RPMs.

An assist apparatus for an electric vehicle which is powered by rechargeable batteries. To assist in the range of the electric vehicle, a platform is secured to the vehicle to be solely supported thereto. On the platform is a hydrocarbon internal combustion engine/motor that generates electricity. The hydrocarbon engine/motor is activated, either manually, via a handheld switch, or automatically by sensors in the electric vehicle, to charge the rechargeable batteries within the electric vehicle.

An assist apparatus for an electric vehicle which is powered by rechargeable batteries. To assist in the range of the electric vehicle, a platform is secured to the vehicle to be solely supported thereto. On the platform is a hydrocarbon internal combustion engine/motor that generates electricity. The hydrocarbon engine/motor is activated, either manually, via a handheld switch, or automatically by sensors in the electric vehicle, to charge the rechargeable batteries within the electric vehicle.