Electric vehicle with waddington drive

An electric drive and control system for a vehicle having a frame and a drive wheel rotatably supported by said frame, said system comprising:

• a power source supported on the vehicle frame for providing motive energy;
• an electric motor mounted on said frame and encircuited to receive energy from the power source, said motor having an output shaft which rotates when said motor is powered by the power source;
• a stepless torque responsive automatic transmission mounted on said frame and having an input element and an output element, both being journaled for rotation, said input element being drivingly connected to the output shaft of said motor, said output element being drivingly connected to the drive wheel of said vehicle, said automatic transmission including ratio plate means for establishing the input torque level about which the transmission will change ratio, said transmission automatically adjusting its transfer ratio to accommodate the difference torque requirements between the vehicle drive wheel and the input element;
• an accelerator pedal having a pivotal mounting point, said mounting being to the frame of said vehicle;
• a first spring having one end attached to the accelerator pedal, the second end of said spring being anchored to said vehicle frame, said spring serving to urge said accelerator pedal to a neutral position;
• a tension spring having one end attached to a location on said accelerator which is remote from said pivotal mounting point, thereby allowing the second end of said tension spring to move in and out in response to pressure applied to said accelerator pedal;
• and
• connecting means between the second end of said tension spring and said ratio plate, said connecting means translating pressure on said accelerator pedal to an increased eccentricity of said ratio plate thereby raising the torque requirements at said input element of the transmission.