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A vehicle drive and control system includes an input shaft driven by a prime mover and extending into a housing to drive a generator. An electric motor powered by the generator drives an output axle, which may be a single axle extending out one side of the housing, or a through shaft extending throu

A vehicle drive and control system includes an input shaft driven by a prime mover and extending into a housing to drive a generator. An electric motor powered by the generator drives an output axle, which may be a single axle extending out one side of the housing, or a through shaft extending through the electric motor and out both sides of the housing. The input shaft may be parallel to the axle. A generator controller is configured to back-drive the generator when certain predetermined conditions are met. A motor controller may control an output of the motor based on input received via an operator control device, and the motor controller is configured to operate the motor as a generator under certain operating conditions. The transaxle includes a common housing in which the power generator, the motor, and controllers for the generator and electric motor are disposed.

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1. A vehicle drive and control system for use on a vehicle having a prime mover, and at least one driven wheel, the vehicle drive and control system comprising: an operator control device;a housing having a first side and a second side opposite the first side;a single axle extending out one of the f

1. A vehicle drive and control system for use on a vehicle having a prime mover, and at least one driven wheel, the vehicle drive and control system comprising: an operator control device;a housing having a first side and a second side opposite the first side;a single axle extending out one of the first side or the second side of the housing;an input shaft extending into one of the first side or the second side of the housing, wherein the input shaft is parallel to the single axle and is engaged to and driven by the prime mover;a power generating device disposed within the housing and driven by the input shaft;an electric motor disposed within the housing and directly connected to and powered by the power generating device, wherein the single axle is driven by the electric motor;a battery operatively connected to and powered by the power generating device and disposed external to the housing;a generator controller disposed in the housing and operatively connected to the power generating device, wherein the generator controller is configured to back-drive the power generating device when certain predetermined conditions are met; anda motor controller disposed in the housing and operatively connected to the operator control device and the electric motor such that the motor controller may control an output of the electric motor based on input received via the operator control device, and wherein the motor controller is configured to operate the electric motor as a generator under certain operating conditions. 2. The vehicle drive and control system of claim 1, wherein the input shaft extends out the first side of the housing and the single axle extends out the second side of the housing. 3. The vehicle drive and control system of claim 1, wherein the input shaft and the single axle both extend out the same side of the housing. 4. The vehicle drive and control system of claim 1, further comprising a motor output shaft driven by the electric motor, and a reduction gear assembly disposed within the housing and engaged to and driven by the motor output shaft, wherein the reduction gear assembly is engaged to and drives the single axle. 5. The vehicle drive and control system of claim 4, wherein the input shaft extends out the first side of the housing and the single axle extends out the second side of the housing. 6. The vehicle drive and control system of claim 4, wherein the input shaft and the single axle both extend out the same side of the housing. 7. The vehicle drive and control system of claim 1, wherein the single axle is directly driven by the electric motor. 8. The vehicle drive and control system of claim 7, wherein the input shaft extends out the first side of the housing and the single axle extends out the second side of the housing. 9. The vehicle drive and control system of claim 7, wherein the input shaft and the single axle both extend out the same side of the housing. 10. The vehicle drive and control system of claim 1, wherein the power generating device is a generator. 11. A vehicle drive and control system for use on a vehicle having a prime mover, and at least one driven wheel, the vehicle drive and control system comprising: an operator control device;a housing having a first side and a second side opposite the first side;an input shaft extending into one of the first side or the second side of the housing, wherein the input shaft is engaged to and driven by the prime mover;a power generating device disposed within the housing and driven by the input shaft;a single axle at least partially disposed in the housing and parallel to the input shaft;a single electric motor disposed within the housing and directly connected to and powered by the power generating device, wherein the single axle is driven by the single electric motor;a battery operatively connected to and powered by the power generating device and disposed external to the housing;a generator controller disposed in the housing and operatively connected to the power generating device, wherein the generator controller is configured to back-drive the power generating device when certain predetermined conditions are met; anda motor controller disposed in the housing and operatively connected to the operator control device and the single electric motor such that the motor controller may control an output of the single electric motor based on input received via the operator control device, and wherein the motor controller is configured to operate the single electric motor as a generator under certain operating conditions. 12. The vehicle drive and control system of claim 11, wherein the single axle is a through shaft extending out both the first side and the second side of the housing, and the single axle drives the at least one driven wheel. 13. The vehicle drive and control system of claim 11, wherein the input shaft extends out the first side of the housing and the single axle extends out the second side of the housing. 14. The vehicle drive and control system of claim 11, further comprising a motor output shaft driven by the single electric motor, and a reduction gear assembly disposed within the housing and engaged to and driven by the motor output shaft, wherein the reduction gear assembly is engaged to and drives the single axle. 15. The vehicle drive and control system of claim 14, wherein the input shaft extends out the first side of the housing and the single axle extends out the second side of the housing. 16. The vehicle drive and control system of claim 14, wherein the input shaft and the single axle both extend out the same side of the housing. 17. The vehicle drive and control system of claim 11, wherein the input shaft and the single axle both extend out the same side of the housing.