an electronically reconfigurable battery includes a number of battery modules selectively interconnected by a number of electronic switches , wherein a selectable number of battery modules may be connected either in a series configuration or in a parallel configuration , as a result of placing selected switches of said plurality of switches in open states or closed states . in a parallel configuration , the battery provides power to a primary load , such as a propulsion load for a vehicle . in a series configuration , the battery is configured to provide a high voltage and high power output to a short - term and / or pulsed load , such as an additional load provided on the vehicle . current from the battery is limited in one of three ways : a ) by the batteries themselves ; b ) a current limiting device or system in series with the total erected battery ; or c ) a single level power converter or current limiter that is used to erect and charge the capacitor bank in a sequential one level at a time manner until the battery is fully erected and the capacitor is fully charged .