Methods and apparatus for utilizing electrically powered vehicles

A supplemental electrical propulsion apparatus for a biomechanically powered vehicle comprising:

• an electrical power source;
• a differential power output controller responsive to said electrical power source;
• a first electric motor having a first effective gear ratio responsive to said differential power controller;
• a second electric motor having a second effective gear ratio responsive to said differential power controller;
• a vehicular drive train responsive to said first electric motor having a first effective gear ratio and said second electric motor having said second effective gear ratio;
• a first wheel responsive to said first electric motor having a first gear ratio;
• and
• a second wheel responsive to said second electric motor having a second gear ratio, wherein said first wheel and said second wheel are substantially the same size, and wherein said differential power output controller provides electric power primarily to either the first electric motor or the second electric motor.

A method for supplementally electrically propelling a biomechanically powered vehicle using a supplemental electric propulsion trailer, the method comprising the steps of:

• connecting supplemental electric propulsion trailer to the biomechanically power vehicle;
• providing electrical power from an electrical power source;
• sequentially controlling said electric power to a first electric motor and a second electric motor;
• operating said first electric motor at a first effective gear ratio;
• operating said second electric motor at a second effective gear ratio;
• driving said supplemental electric propulsion trailer at said first effective gear ratio and then said second effective gear ratio with said first electric motor and said second electric motor respectively, wherein sequentially controlling substantially provides electric power to either the first electric motor or the second electric motor;
• driving a left dedicated drive wheel of said supplemental electric propulsion trailer with said first electric motor;
• and
• driving a right dedicated drive wheel of said supplemental electric propulsion trailer with said second electric motor.

A method for supplementally electrically propelling a biomechanically powered vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing electrical power from an electrical power source;
• differentially controlling said electric power to a first electric motor and a second electric motor wherein power is primarily provided to either the first electric motor or the second electric motor;
• operating said first electric motor at a first effective gear ratio;
• operating said second electric motor at a second effective gear ratio;
• driving said biomechanically powered vehicle at said first effective gear ratio and said second effective gear ratio with said first electric motor and then said second electric motor respectively;
• driving a first wheel of said biomechanically powered vehicle with said first electric motor;
• driving a second wheel of said biomechanically powered vehicle with said second electric motor, wherein said first wheel and said second wheel are substantially the same size;
• and
• supporting said biomechanically powered vehicle with said first wheel and said second wheel.