An outboard electric drive attachable to a vehicle having a hitch attachable to a passenger vehicle; a momentum switch capable of detecting acceleration and deceleration; a swing arm; an electric motor; a wheel secured to the swing arm and coupled to the electric motor; an electric storage battery; and a motor controller electrically cabled to the electric motor, storage battery, and momentum switch such that the outboard electric drive applies force in the direction of vehicle travel when the momentum switch senses acceleration and applies force in the direction opposite the direction of vehicle travel when the momentum switch senses deceleration and recharges the battery. The drive can be operated in manual mode using a switch to enable the application constant force. A swing arm raising and lowering system can be provided to raise the apparatus when not in use or when the vehicle is operating in reverse.
