An electric motor powered vehicle includes an energy reservoir provided by
a battery-mass flywheel having a diameter approximately equal to the
vehicle lateral wheel spacing, allowing a compact configuration. The
flywheel may include a pair of counter rotating wheels mounted on
concentric shafts and may be enclosed in a containment device. A
shoe-rail electrical connection facilitates transfer of current to and
from the batteries. The flywheel may include fuel cells charged from a
remote hydrogen source. Flywheel, alternator and friction braking may be
controlled by pedal movement. Energy may be transferred to the battery
mass flywheel independently of vehicle motor drive. The motor-flywheel
drive connections are made through inputs to a differential gear drive.
The fuel cells may charge the batteries, and a second alternator may
recover flywheel energy at vehicle shut-down.