Abstract: A drive system for a vehicle having a maximum speed, the drive system comprising: a first electric drive motor configured to drive both a first wheel and a second wheel of the vehicle; a differential coupled to the first electric drive motor, the differential being configured to split drive provided by the first electric drive motor so as to form a first drive path from the differential to the first wheel and a second drive path from the differential to the second wheel; a second electric drive motor positioned along the first drive path and configured to drive the first wheel; and a third electric drive motor positioned along the second drive path and configured to drive the second wheel; wherein each of the first, second and third electric drive motors are configured to provide drive up to the maximum speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: A battery system having an output for supplying electrical energy to an electric drive motor of a vehicle, the battery system comprising: a first electrical energy store having a first nominal voltage and being configured to provide a first electrical energy output at a first voltage, the first electrical energy store being connected to a voltage conversion unit; a second electrical energy store having a second nominal voltage, the second nominal voltage being greater than the first nominal voltage, and being configured to provide a second electrical energy output at a second voltage, the second electrical energy store being connected to the output of the battery system; and the voltage conversion unit connecting the first electrical energy store and the second electrical energy store and being configured to convert between the first voltage and the second voltage, and the voltage conversion unit being connected to the output of the battery system such that the first electrical energy store is connected to th