US Patent 8179245 Plug-in vehicle with recharging port having display and lights

A plug-in vehicle includes a vehicle body having an outer panel, a propulsion unit such as an electric motor, a rechargeable battery, a recharging port supported on the outer panel to receive power from an external electric power source, and a display subassembly connected to the battery. The display subassembly has a plurality of lights positioned around the recharging port to illuminate the recharging port and to illuminate in a manner corresponding to a condition of the battery.