Chassis for electric vehicle

Abstract

Electric vehicles usually inherit a chassis of a pressed steel construction from a conventional vehicle design. This imposes a substantial weight penalty on the vehicle. We disclose a chassis element for a vehicle, formed of an outer skin material, an inner core material enveloped by the outer skin material, and at least one array of aligned fibres, and comprising a restraint for an electrical battery adapted to locate the battery over the at least one array. There can be multiple arrays of aligned fibres, preferably disposed at a transverse angle relative to each other of less than 90°. We particularly prefer three arrays of aligned fibres, which can be disposed relative to each other at an angle of 60°. The fibres can be disposed within the skin material. The restraint ideally comprises an upstanding wall which will serve to confine the batteries in the event of a collision or other sudden movement, but will allow them to be replaced easily for maintenance purposes or to replace an exhausted set of batteries with a charged set. Alternatively, the restraint can comprise an attachment point for the battery. The core material is preferably less dense than the skin material, thereby allowing the composite element to have a light weight and a high rigidity. The application also relates to a vehicle comprising a chassis, an electric motor, a chassis element as set out above, and electrical connections from the battery to the motor, wherein the chassis element is attached to the chassis via removable fixings extending through the fixing points of the chassis element into corresponding fixing points on the chassis.