So far in this book we have described the various subsystems which go to make up an electric vehicle but, with the exception of the hybrid electric vehicle, have not considered how all these systems come together to make a complete vehicle. This approach was necessary to enable the reader to understand the functions of the various subsystems sufficiently well to appreciate the limitations they impose on overall vehicle design.

Just as in a conventional vehicle, the size, weight, physical shape and interior space in the vehicle determine its appeal to the potential customer, as does the performance on the road and, particularly in the case of the electric vehicle, the time to recharge. As an offset to the long charging time problem, which was discussed in some detail in Chapter 7, electric vehicles often offer more flexibility in positioning of the subsystem components. This is because the propulsion electric motor or motors may be mounted close to or on the driven wheels with a flexible electrical connection to the battery and control system, instead of requiring the hard mechanical connection between engine and driven wheels necessary in a conventional IC-engined vehicle.