Patent ID: 7255191

Claim:
An electric vehicle, comprising: a vehicle frame, comprising: a lower frame portion that comprises a plurality of struts, each strut having first and second ends that are attached to at least an end of another one of the struts to form a lower strut-framework and a skin member covering openings between the first and second ends of the struts, and an upper frame portion comprising a skin member associable with the lower framework in a stiffening association for significantly increasing the stiffness of the lower framework, wherein the associated lower framework and upper frame portion cooperatively define and substantially enclose an interior cavity therebetween, the struts comprising: a first group of struts disposed to one lateral side and defining a lateral portion of the cavity, and a second group of struts disposed to an opposite lateral side of the cavity from the first group and defining another lateral portion of the cavity; a seat supportedly mounted on the upper frame portion above the cavity; a plurality of wheels supportively associated with the lower framework; an electrical energy source housed in the interior cavity; and a electric motor connected to the energy source for receiving propulsive energy therefrom, and connected to at least one of the wheels for propelling the vehicle using the propulsive energy.