Apparatus and methods for modifying a battery electric vehicle for wheelchair access

Abstract

To provide access to individuals having mobility disabilities, an OEM battery electric vehicle may be modified to include one or more of a wheelchair ramp, a lowered floor, a lowered battery, an adjustable suspension, and supplemental impact protection. The adjustable suspension of the modified vehicle may be operated to position the body of the vehicle alternatively between a lowered position and a raised position. In the lowered position, at least one of the ramp angle and length may be reduced relative to a comparable ramp in the OEM vehicle. In the raised position, the vehicle ground clearance may be slightly less than, approximately equal to or greater than the ground clearance of the OEM vehicle at GVWR.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.