Patent ID: 8627914

Claim:
A vehicle comprising: a first axle and corresponding first gearbox; a flywheel selectively coupled to the first gearbox via a first engagement/disengagement mechanism such that rotation of the first axle selectively causes rotation of the flywheel; one or more alternators selectively coupled to the flywheel via a second engagement/disengagement mechanism such that the one or more alternators selectively generate electricity when the flywheel is rotating; a second axle and corresponding second gearbox; an electric motor coupled to the second gearbox to cause rotation of the second axle when the electric motor is powered; first and second main electrical storage devices electrically connected to the electric motor and configured such that the first main electrical storage device powers the electric motor while the second main electrical storage device is charged and configured such that the second main electrical storage device powers the electric motor while the first main electrical storage device is charged; one or more auxiliary electrical storage devices electrically connected to the one or more alternators and configured such that the one or more alternators charge the auxiliary electrical storage devices when the one or more alternators are coupled to the flywheel; and a charging assembly electrically connected to the main and auxiliary electrical storage devices and configured such that the auxiliary electrical storage devices charge the first main electrical storage device while the second main electrical storage devices powers the electric motor and configured such that the auxiliary electrical storage devices charge the second main electrical storage device while the first main electrical storage devices powers the electric motor.