Low floor electric vehicle

A low floor electric bus comprising:

• a cutaway chassis comprising a longitudinally extending frame having a front end and a rear end, wherein the frame includes a pair of laterally spaced sidepieces extending from the front end to the rear end, wherein the frame includes a front section, a central section, and a rear section, wherein the central section is positioned at a lower height than the front and rear sections;
• a body coupled to the frame and including a driver cabin and a passenger cabin, wherein the passenger cabin comprises a floor assembly, a sidewall assembly, and a roof assembly;
• a battery pack positioned below the floor assembly, wherein the battery pack is coupled to and extends between the sidepieces in the central section of the frame, wherein the battery pack functions as a load-bearing crossmember for the frame, wherein the frame comprises a skid plate coupled to and extending between the sidepieces immediately in front of the battery pack to thereby protect the battery pack from roadway debris;
• an electric motor coupled to the rear section of the frame;
• and
• a rear axle coupled to the rear section of the frame and comprising a differential driven by the electric motor,
• wherein the floor assembly comprises one or more longitudinal steel tubes, one or more transverse steel tubes, and one or more floor panels constructed out of a steel sheet;
• wherein the floor assembly further comprises a composite panel on top of the longitudinal tubes, transverse tubes, and floor panels and a flooring material on top of the composite panel;
• wherein the sidewall assembly comprises one or more of the sidewall panels, each panel comprising a pair of outer vertical steel tubes covered with a ceramic coating, an interior coating, and an exterior coating;
• and wherein the roof assembly comprises an interior surface and an exterior surface, one or more steel tubes extending between opposing sidewalls, combined with one or more separate composite panels and interior trim pieces.