Vehicle with reconfigurable energy storage

A vehicle comprising:

• a chassis including a first frame rail and a second frame rail;
• a cab coupled to the chassis;
• a tractive element coupled to the chassis;
• a drive motor configured to drive the tractive element to propel the vehicle;
• an energy storage system comprising:
• a first battery module comprising a first array of batteries positioned within a first housing, the first housing removably and directly coupled to the chassis and extending between the first frame rail and the second frame rail;
• a second battery module comprising a second housing and a second array of batteries positioned within the second housing, the second housing removably and directly coupled to an outer surface of the first frame rail, the first housing removable from the chassis separate from the second housing, wherein at least a portion of the second housing is positioned transverse to and at the same longitudinal position as at least a portion of the first housing;
• and
• a third battery module comprising a third housing and a third array of batteries positioned within the third housing, the third housing removably and directly coupled to the chassis,
• wherein the first battery module, the second battery module, or the third battery module provides electrical energy to the drive motor, and wherein the first battery module, the second battery module, and the third battery module are positioned rearward from the cab so that a gap is formed between a rear end of the cab and a front end of each of the first battery module, the second battery module, and the third battery module, and
• wherein the energy storage system is selectively reconfigurable between (a) a first configuration in which the first battery module, the second battery module, and the third battery module each provide electrical energy to the drive motor and (b) a second configuration in which the first battery module is removed from the vehicle and the second battery module and the third battery module provide electrical energy to the drive motor.

A refuse vehicle comprising:

• a chassis including a first frame rail and a second frame rail;
• a tractive element coupled to the chassis;
• a drive motor configured to drive the tractive element to propel the vehicle;
• a refuse compartment coupled to and supported on the chassis;
• an actuator coupled to or arranged within the refuse compartment;
• and
• an energy storage system comprising:
• a first battery module comprising a first array of batteries positioned within a first housing, the first housing removably and directly coupled to the chassis and extending between the first frame rail and the second frame rail;
• and
• a second battery module comprising a second housing and a second array of batteries positioned within the second housing, the second housing removably and directly coupled to an outer surface of the first frame rail, the first housing removable from the chassis separate from the second housing, wherein at least a portion of the second housing is positioned transverse to and at the same longitudinal position as at least a portion of the first housing;
• wherein the energy storage system provides power to the drive motor and the actuator, and wherein the energy storage system is positioned below and covered by the refuse compartment, wherein the energy storage system is selectively reconfigurable between (a) a first configuration in which the first battery module and the second battery module each provide electrical energy to the drive motor and (b) a second configuration in which the first battery module is removed from the vehicle and the second battery module provides electrical energy to the drive motor.