A hybrid vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, an electrical storage device, a rotary electric machine, and a controller. The internal combustion engine includes a variable valve actuating device. The variable valve actuating device is configured to change an operation characteristic of an intake valve. The electrical storage device is configured to be charged. The rotary electric machine is configured to generate driving force for propelling the hybrid vehicle by using electric power that is supplied from the electrical storage device. The controller is configured to cause the hybrid vehicle to travel in a selected one of a charge sustaining mode and a charge depleting mode. The charge sustaining mode is a mode in which a state of charge of the electrical storage device is kept within a predetermined range. The charge depleting mode is a mode in which consumption of the state of charge is given a higher priority as compared to the charge sustaining mode. The controller is configured to change a switching condition for switching from the charge depleting mode to the charge sustaining mode such that a first state of charge is higher than a second state of charge. The first state of charge is an state of charge at which the controller switches from the charge depleting mode to the charge sustaining mode at the time when the operation characteristic of the intake valve is unchangeable to a desired operation characteristic. The second state of charge is an state of charge at which the controller switches from the charge depleting mode to the charge sustaining mode at the time when the operation characteristic of the intake valve is changeable to a desired operation characteristic.

A use index IDX indicative of a degree of use of external charging is calculated and transmitted to a vehicle external system. The vehicle external system provides a service or imposes a penalty based on the use index IDX. In a case where the degree of use of external charging is determined to be low based on the use index IDX, if the vehicle external system provides a non-preferential service or imposes a heavy penalty as compared with a case where the degree of use of external charging is determined to be high, a driver or an owner of a vehicle takes an action by which the use index is determined to indicate, a high degree of use of external charging. As a result, the use of external charging can be promoted.

Provided are a vehicle and a control method for the vehicle. The vehicle includes an engine, a fuel tank configured to store a fuel for the engine, a grille shutter, and an ECU. The grille shutter is configured to regulate an introduction air from an outside of the vehicle to an inside of the vehicle. The ECU is configured to determine whether or not the fuel is deteriorating. The ECU is configured to control the grille shutter such that an amount of the introduction air in a case where the fuel is deteriorating is larger than an amount of the introduction air in a case where the fuel is not deteriorating.

A vehicle includes an engine, a climate control system, a cabin, and a controller. The controller is programmed to, in response to the climate control system supplying heat to a vehicle cabin and receiving a request for an economy mode, decrease an engine coolant temperature engine start threshold. The controller is further programmed to, in response to the engine coolant temperature becoming less than the threshold, start the engine.

Methods and systems are provided for synergizing the benefits of an electric fuel separator in a hybrid vehicle system. A vehicle controller may hold the engine in a narrow operating range where usage of a selected higher octane or lower octane fuel fraction is optimal while using motor and/or CVT adjustments to address transients generated as driver demand varies. The controller may also adjust a fuel separator speed/pressure opportunistically during regenerative braking to maximize electrical usage as well as at low load conditions to enable extended engine operation in a more fuel efficient load region.

An engine control system for a vehicle includes a controller that initiates a start of the engine in response to a state of charge (SOC) of a battery falling below an engine start threshold, initiates a stop of the engine in response to the SOC exceeding an engine stop threshold, and adjusts a value of the engine start threshold based on whether a load remote from the vehicle is drawing power from the battery.

An electric power supply system configured to supply electric power to an electrical load device in accordance with a current requirement. The electric power supply system includes an engine configured to output rotational power, a generator configured to receive the rotational power and to supply a current to the electrical load device. The generator includes a rotor, and a stator including a winding and a stator core with the winding wound thereon, a magnetic circuit for the winding passing through the stator core, and a supply current adjustment device configured to adjust magnetic resistance of the magnetic circuit for the winding, to thereby change an inductance of the winding to adjust the supplied current. The electric power supply system further includes a control device configured to control the engine to adjust the output rotational power and to control the supply current adjustment device to adjust the inductance of the winding.

A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, selectively powering a heating device to augment heating of an engine oil associated with an engine of a vehicle in a manner that influences an oil quality value of the engine oil.

An integrated linear parallel hybrid engine is described. Embodiments of the integrated parallel hybrid engine can include, but are not limited to, a linear electric motor integrated into an internal combustion engine. The integrated linear parallel engine can include a plurality of pistons each having magnetic properties, a plurality of electromagnets, a power supply, and an internal combustion engine. The magnetic pistons can be implemented to act as normal pistons in the internal combustion engine and to act as rotors for the linear electric motor.

A system and method for controlling an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system in a hybrid vehicle using an intrusive monitor include adjusting EGR flow through an EGR valve based on an average pressure difference between pressure measured from a manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor and inferred pressure determined from mass air flow (MAF) into an intake of an engine when engine speed, throttle and camshaft timing position change is below a corresponding threshold. The measured pressure and inferred pressure are determined when the EGR valve is in a closed position and an open position.