Abstract: Methods and systems for activating electric vehicles are provided. One method includes, in response to a first command to activate the vehicle, transitioning the vehicle from an inactive state to a wake state where a controller of the vehicle is activated and the vehicle is prevented from being propelled by an electric motor of the vehicle. The method also includes, in response to receiving a second command to activate the vehicle after receiving the first command, transitioning the vehicle from the wake state to a ready state where the vehicle is permitted to be propelled by the electric motor.

Abstract: A brake control system for a vehicle includes a brake actuator operable over a range from an initial position that includes contiguous portions of displacement that are a first portion of displacement, a second portion of displacement and a third portion of displacement, a controller and an actuation sensor operatively coupled to the brake actuator. The actuation sensor sends a signal to the controller to activate a regenerative braking system using an electric motor of the vehicle if the actuation sensor detects the brake actuator is in the first portion of displacement. The regenerative braking system is activated and the friction braking system is activated when the brake actuator is in the second portion of displacement. The regenerative braking system is deactivated and the friction braking system is activated when the brake actuator is in the third portion of displacement.

Abstract: Systems and methods for mitigating wear of electric vehicles are provided. A method of operating an electric powersport vehicle includes receiving an accelerator command and driving an electric motor of the vehicle based on whether or not the accelerator command is accompanied by a braking command. When the accelerator command exists at a same time as the braking command, the output of the electric motor is limited to a lower output torque value than when the accelerator command exists at a different time as the braking command.

Abstract: Methods and systems for activating electric vehicles are provided. One method includes, in response to a first command to activate the vehicle, transitioning the vehicle from an inactive state to a wake state where a controller of the vehicle is activated and the vehicle is prevented from being propelled by an electric motor of the vehicle. The method also includes, in response to receiving a second command to activate the vehicle after receiving the first command, transitioning the vehicle from the wake state to a ready state where the vehicle is permitted to be propelled by the electric motor.

Abstract: One example provides a chassis for an electric snowmobile including a battery pack. The battery pack includes a battery pack housing defining an enclosure for housing a number of battery modules for powering an electric motor of the electric snowmobile, the battery pack housing having a length extending in a longitudinal direction of the snowmobile, the battery pack housing including a bottom surface. A pair of opposing side panels extends downwardly from and along at least a portion of the length of the battery pack housing, the opposing panels and at least portions of the bottom surface of the battery pack housing together forming a rear structure extending in the longitudinal direction of the electric snowmobile.

Abstract: Methods and systems for activating electric vehicles are provided. One method includes, in response to a first command to activate the vehicle, transitioning the vehicle from an inactive state to a wake state where a controller of the vehicle is activated and the vehicle is prevented from being propelled by an electric motor of the vehicle. The method also includes, in response to receiving a second command to activate the vehicle after receiving the first command, transitioning the vehicle from the wake state to a ready state where the vehicle is permitted to be propelled by the electric motor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for charging a battery of an electric vehicle are provided. One method includes heating a battery of the electric vehicle using a battery charger of the electric vehicle. The method includes using the battery charger to generate heat without charging the battery with the battery charger, and transferring the heat generated using the battery charger to the battery to heat the battery. Once a temperature of the battery is sufficiently high to accept a charge, the battery charger may be used to charge the battery.

Abstract: Methods and systems for activating electric vehicles are provided. One method includes, in response to a first command to activate the vehicle, transitioning the vehicle from an inactive state to a wake state where a controller of the vehicle is activated and the vehicle is prevented from being propelled by an electric motor of the vehicle. The method also includes, in response to receiving a second command to activate the vehicle after receiving the first command, transitioning the vehicle from the wake state to a ready state where the vehicle is permitted to be propelled by the electric motor.

Abstract: One example provides a battery pack for an electric vehicle. The battery pack includes a plurality of rechargeable battery modules, an enclosure defining an interior space in which the plurality of rechargeable battery modules are enclosed, and a charging port mounted to the enclosure, the charging port electrically connected within the enclosure to the plurality of rechargeable battery modules, the charging port accessible from an exterior of the enclosure and configured to electrically connect an external electrical charging source to the plurality of rechargeable battery modules.

Abstract: Methods and systems for activating electric vehicles are provided. One method includes, in response to a first command to activate the vehicle, transitioning the vehicle from an inactive state to a wake state where a controller of the vehicle is activated and the vehicle is prevented from being propelled by an electric motor of the vehicle. The method also includes, in response to receiving a second command to activate the vehicle after receiving the first command, transitioning the vehicle from the wake state to a ready state where the vehicle is permitted to be propelled by the electric motor.

Abstract: Methods and systems for activating electric vehicles are provided. One method includes, in response to a first command to activate the vehicle, transitioning the vehicle from an inactive state to a wake state where a controller of the vehicle is activated and the vehicle is prevented from being propelled by an electric motor of the vehicle. The method also includes, in response to receiving a second command to activate the vehicle after receiving the first command, transitioning the vehicle from the wake state to a ready state where the vehicle is permitted to be propelled by the electric motor.

Abstract: Systems and methods of stopping propulsion of an electric vehicle in an emergency situation are provided. One method includes receiving a command to stop propulsion of the electric vehicle while the electric vehicle is in motion, and in response to the command, attempting to regulate an operation of an electric motor of the electric vehicle toward a no-load operating state of the electric motor while the electric vehicle is in motion. When the operation of the electric motor is outside a prescribed range of the no-load operating state after attempting to regulate the operation of the electric motor toward the no-load operating state, the method includes causing braking of the electric motor.

Abstract: Systems and methods preventing vehicle runaway of an electric powersport vehicle in an emergency situation are provided. One method comprises receiving, via an emergency shutoff switch of the electric powersport vehicle or via a tether switch of the electric powersport vehicle, a signal indicating an existence of the emergency situation while the electric powersport vehicle is in motion, and in response to the signal, attempting to regulate an operation of an electric motor configured to propel the electric powersport vehicle to cause regenerative braking of the electric motor while the electric powersport vehicle is in motion.

Abstract: A method of transitioning an electric snowmobile from a drive state to a reverse state comprising receiving at a controller a reverse request from a user interface of the electric snowmobile. Upon receipt of the reverse request, the controller transitions the electric snowmobile from a drive state to a reverse state when a speed signal associated with the electric snowmobile is below a predetermined speed threshold and transitions the electric snowmobile from a drive state to a reverse requested state when a speed signal associated with the electric snowmobile is above a predetermined speed threshold. In the reverse state, the controller drives the electric snowmobile in a reverse direction based on a throttle signal and in the reverse requested state, the controller does not drive operation of the electric snowmobile based on the throttle signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling the direction of propulsion of an electric vehicle are provided. According to an embodiment, a method can include receiving a first signal from a first user input device; operating an electric motor in a first direction based on the first signal to propel a watercraft in a forward direction; receiving a second signal from a second user input device; and operating the electric motor in a second direction based on the second signal to propel the watercraft in a reverse direction.

Abstract: Systems and methods for customizing one or more performance characteristics of a vehicle are provided. The systems and methods may be used with electric powersport vehicles and may facilitate expanded customization capabilities and a wide range of operator experiences available with the vehicle. A method of operating an electric vehicle includes receiving, via an operator interface, a value of an individually-variable parameter defining a propulsive performance characteristic of the electric vehicle, and, when the electric motor is driven to propel the vehicle, regulating an output of the electric motor based on the value of the individually-variable parameter.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing locked rotor protection for powertrains of electric vehicles are provided. One method for operating an electric vehicle includes receiving a command for propelling the electric vehicle, driving an electric motor of the powertrain of the electric vehicle, and determining that the powertrain is obstructed. After determining that the powertrain is obstructed, an output is generated to initiate one or more actions intended to protect the powertrain.

Abstract: Methods and systems for activating electric vehicles are provided. One method includes, in response to a first command to activate the vehicle, transitioning the vehicle from an inactive state to a wake state where a controller of the vehicle is activated and the vehicle is prevented from being propelled by an electric motor of the vehicle. The method also includes, in response to receiving a second command to activate the vehicle after receiving the first command, transitioning the vehicle from the wake state to a ready state where the vehicle is permitted to be propelled by the electric motor.

Abstract: Drive units for electric vehicles are provided. One example provides a power inverter of an electric drive unit. The power inverter comprises a housing with a compartment at least partially formed by a first wall and an opposing second wall. The power inverter also comprises a plurality of electrical switches to convert direct current (DC) power into alternating current (AC) power, the plurality of electrical switches coupled to the first wall within the compartment. The power inverter further comprises a power controller to control the plurality of electrical switches, the power controller coupled to the plurality of electrical switches. The power inverter also comprises a motor controller to control the power controller, the motor controller disposed between the power controller and the second wall.

Abstract: A distributed battery management system for a multi-module traction battery pack of an electric vehicle is provided. The battery management system comprises an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) integrated into a battery module of the traction battery pack of the electric vehicle, and a master controller external to the battery module and in digital data communication with the ADC. The ADC converts an analog signal indicative of a sensed voltage associated with one or more cells of the battery module into a digital signal indicative of the sensed voltage. The master controller performs a function associated with the traction battery pack of the electric vehicle based on the sensed voltage.