Patent ID: 7854282

Claim:
A hybrid electric vehicle, for ground transportation, comprising: means for distributing high-voltage power, low-voltage power and control signals to high-power components on said vehicle; means for providing a low-voltage supply and a reliable, digital communication channel; means for supporting the vehicle's components mechanically and for protecting the occupants during a collision; means for minimizing the aerodynamic drag of the vehicle and for protecting the interior and internal components from the environmental elements, externally mounted to said spaceframe; means for maintaining stability, acceleration, deceleration, steering, traction, differential and anti-lock brake controls of said vehicle; means for generating torque to a plurality of drive wheels via connecting constant-velocity joints to accelerate and decelerate said vehicle, also adapted to be operated as generators, whereupon said means receive torque and generate electric energy; means for generating torque essentially at higher cruising speeds to a plurality of drive wheels via connecting constant-velocity joints to efficiently sustain the speed of said vehicle; means for controlling the operations of and transferring energy to and from said means for generating torque and receiving torque to generator electricity and said means for sustaining cruising speed, electrically connected to said power distribution and management bus, digitally connected to said vehicle control system; means for storing the electrical energy generated onboard said vehicle, for storing the electrical energy received from a charger unit and for supplying high-voltage electrical energy, electrically connected to said power distribution and management bus; means for supplying electrical power for vehicle acceleration and for receiving and storing electrical energy from regenerative braking, electrically connected to said power distribution and management bus; means for generating electricity onboard said vehicle, electrically connected to said power distribution and management bus, removably mounted to the underside of said spaceframe; means for transferring excess heat from significantly heat-producing components of said vehicle to the ambient environment; and, means for receiving electrical energy from the power grid when the vehicle is connected to said power grid, electrically connected to said power distribution and management bus.