Abstract

The foot-operated accelerator develops digital signals progressively larger in number as the accelerator is moved through its range from a rest position to full speed. A variable transmission has a sensor that generates digital signals progressively larger in number as the transmission is shifted from a low gear ratio to a high gear ratio. For starting the vehicle, the accelerator lower digital signals cause successive connection of a plurality of batteries in series until the full operating battery voltage is applied to the motor. Thereafter, the motor operates at a constant voltage and vehicle speed is varied by varying the gear ratio of the transmission. This is achieved by a digital comparator that compares the accelerator numbers with the transmission numbers, and a lower accelerator number causes the transmission to shift to a lower gear ratio, and a higher accelerator number causes the transmission to shift to a higher gear ratio until equilibrium is reached in each case. The motor is protected from excessive current and excessive rpm by varying the gear ratio. Regenerative braking is utilized on both coasting and manual application of the brakes.