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Battery-Powered vehicles require that drivable range be maximized. This requirement is at odds with the need to protect the battery from over charge and over discharge. This is especially true when the electric vehicle operator is not sufficiently knowledgeable about battery operation. Several technologies were examined to prevent excessive discharge during operation of a luggage tractor. None of the existing technologies were found to be appropriate for this application. A new scheme was developed whereby battery terminal voltage is compensated by discharge current. By carefully selecting the control curve relative to the internal resistance of the battery, discharge energy output is maximized while still providing protection against excessive discharge. A device was developed using this new scheme.