Electric vehicle with a movable battery tray mounted between frame rails

An electric vehicle comprising:

• a frame formed of upper and lower transverse members and horizontally opposed, longitudinal members with respect to the vehicle;
• a battery tray disposed between the longitudinal and transverse members for supporting a bank of batteries for providing electric energy for operating the electric vehicle;
• a friction reducing device formed in the longitudinal members for supporting the battery tray between the longitudinal members, wherein the battery tray may be displaced longitudinally over the friction reducing device to facilitate access to the bank of batteries, wherein the longitudinal members are arranged so as to not obstruct displacement of the tray;
• a suspension bracket attached to the frame;
• a suspension arm coupled to the suspension bracket through an annular suspension pivot bearing allowing relative rotation between the suspension arm and suspension bracket, said annular suspension pivot bearing containing a regenerative device which generates an electrical energy output across a positive electrical terminal and a negative electrical terminal in response to relative rotation between the suspension arm and suspension bracket, the electrical energy being used to supplement electric energy of the bank of batteries;
• a motor housing integral to the suspension arm, the motor housing receiving an electric motor that applies displacing force to a drive wheel;
• a hydraulic brake mechanism mounted outboard of the motor housing.