Energy Optimization and Transfer in Electric Vehicles via Mechanical Coupling

Electric vehicles have a limited range due to limited battery capacity. Also, such vehicles, while having a lower carbon footprint than gasoline vehicles, do not address capacity issues on the road network. The relative sparsity of charging stations and the length of time needed to achieve a full charge can be a hindrance to some EV drivers. This disclosure describes an automatic coupling mechanism between electric vehicles that enables energy transfer between coupled vehicles. Based on commonality of routes, determined with user permission, vehicles automatically form mechanically coupled trains. Vehicles within a train with high energy drive the train and optionally, transfer energy to vehicles with low energy. The price of energy transfer can be determined by an automatic, real-time auction agreed to by the various drivers. Vehicles behind the first one in the train enjoy reduced drag and greater efficiency by slipstreaming behind their predecessors in the train.