Patent ID: 8169104

Claim:
A control system for a battery powered vehicle which is provided with an electric power source and at least one contactor which is operable to connect the output of the electric power source to an electric drive motor, in which the control system is operable to set the vehicle in one of at least three different operating modes comprising: a first mode in which the vehicle is immobilised and the contactor is held in an open position to isolate the electric power source from the electric drive motor, a second mode in which the vehicle is not immobilised and the contactor is held in a closed position to connect the electric power source to the electric drive motor, and a third mode in which the vehicle is immobilised by opening at least a first electrical circuit related to operation of the vehicle but the contactor remains in an closed position to connect the electric power source to the electric drive motor; in which the control system is arranged to change between the modes in response to one or more signals which are indicative of the location of a driver relative to the vehicle.