A system and method for retrofitting a propulsion circuit of an existing
Off Highway Vehicle to enable the propulsion circuit to operate as a
hybrid energy Off Highway Vehicle propulsion circuit. The hybrid
propulsion circuit includes a primary power source, and a traction motor
for propelling an Off Highway Vehicle in response to the primary electric
power. The traction motor has a motoring mode of operation and a power
dissipation mode of operation. The traction motor generates dynamic
braking electrical power in the power dissipation mode of operation. An
electrical energy storage system includes a chopper circuit coupled to an
energy storage device. The storage device is responsive to the chopper
circuit to selectively store electrical energy generated in the power
dissipation mode. The storage system selectively provides secondary
electric power from the storage device to traction motor to assist in
propelling the Off Highway Vehicle during the motoring mode.