BATTERY SYSTEM

A battery system comprising positive and negative charge-discharge terminals, first and second batteries, first and second unidirectional switches, and a bridging switch. The first battery and the first unidirectional switch are connected in series across the charge-discharge terminals such that the first unidirectional switch provides a conductive path from the positive charge-discharge terminal to a positive terminal of the first battery. The second battery and the second unidirectional switch are connected in series across the charge-discharge terminals such that the second unidirectional switch provides a conductive path from the negative terminal of the second battery to the negative charge-discharge terminal. The batteries and the bridging switch are connected in series across the charge-discharge terminals, with the bridging switch being located between the positive terminal of the first battery and the negative terminal of the second battery.