An electronic control unit is configured to i) turn off a charging relay when a charger is disconnected from an external power source while external charging is in progress which is started when the charger is connected to the external power source and the charging relay is turned on while a system is off and in which a battery is charged with electric power from the external power source by the charger, and ii) set the period from the disconnection of the charger from the external power source to the turn-off of the charging relay to be longer when preliminary air conditioning is in progress than when preliminary air conditioning is not in progress.

A programmable replacement controller that has a number of embedded applications corresponding to a number of OEM vehicle systems and a selected application within the controller can be called to service or activated through the programming feature of the replacement controller.

Some embodiments may provide a method for a desired operating environment. A signal to place a vehicle in a designated mode corresponding to a desired operating environment may be received. The designated mode may include modifications to one or more default operating characteristics of the vehicle. The modifications may be while the vehicle is in parked mode and a vehicle access key associated with the vehicle is within proximity of the vehicle. In response to receiving the signal, characteristics of the vehicle to be modified in order to create the desired operating environment may be identified. The default operating characteristics may relate to lighting or displays controlled by the vehicle, sounds controlled by the vehicle, or a passive entry system of the vehicle. One or more settings of the vehicle to change the default operating characteristics of the vehicle while in the designated mode may be modified.

At least one inverter is heated by causing an inverter heat generation control unit to pass a predetermined current through the inverter for a predetermined time, and heating of the at least one inverter causes a high-voltage battery (storage battery) to warm up via a cooling circuit. Accordingly, control for warmup of the high-voltage battery (storage battery) is simply performed by passing the predetermined current through the inverter for a predetermined time. This inverter heat generation control can also be applied to a vehicle not including a step-up converter.

Vehicles may be composed of a relatively few number of modules that are assembled together during a final assembly process. An example vehicle may include a body module, a first drive module coupled to a first end of the body module, and a second drive module coupled to a second end of the body module. One or both of the drive modules may include a pair of wheels, a battery, an electric drive motor, and/or a heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. One or both of the drive modules may also include a crash structure to absorb impacts. If a component of a drive module fails or is damaged, the drive module can be quickly and easily replaced with a new drive module, minimizing vehicle down time.

Vehicles may be composed of a relatively few number of modules that are assembled together during a final assembly process. An example vehicle may include a body module, a first drive module coupled to a first end of the body module, and a second drive module coupled to a second end of the body module. One or both of the drive modules may include a pair of wheels, a battery, an electric drive motor, and/or a heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. One or both of the drive modules may also include a crash structure to absorb impacts. If a component of a drive module fails or is damaged, the drive module can be quickly and easily replaced with a new drive module, minimizing vehicle down time.

An alternatively powered vehicle includes electrically powered cabin heaters and coolers. An operator sends a signal to his vehicle instructing the vehicle to bring a cabin temperature to a desired temperature. In response, the vehicle determines whether a battery state of charge exceeds a threshold and if so, activates the appropriate cabin heater or cooler to condition cabin air to the desired temperature.

A vehicle panel includes channels, wherein a first channel includes a first wire capable and a second channel includes a second wire and each wire is capable of carrying at least one of power or a vehicle data signal. The panel also includes a connection point connectable to at least one of a battery or a vehicle computing system, wherein selection of connection between the vehicle computing system or battery to a given connection point provided to a given one of the first or second channels dictates whether the channel carries the vehicle data signal or power. Also, the panel includes holes connecting to the first wire and at least two of the holes connecting to the second wire allowing a connection probe to be inserted into a respective hole to connect to a wire included in a channel to which the hole connects.

The present disclosure provides a method including determining an operational mode of a vehicle based on data accumulated from at least one vehicle information system associated with the vehicle; selecting one of a plurality of power consumption profiles for the vehicle based on the determined operational mode; and applying the selected one of the power consumption profiles to the vehicle.

A computing system for a vehicle is provided. The computing system includes one or more processors for controlling operation of the computing system, and a memory for storing data and program instructions usable by the one or more processors. The processors are configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to determine if a vehicle fuel level or battery power level is below a predetermined threshold. If the vehicle fuel level or battery power level is below the threshold, it is determined if at least one energy conservation measure has been pre-selected by a user. If at least one energy conservation measure has been pre-selected by a user, it is determined whether or not a user approves implementation of the at least one energy conservation measure. If a user approves implementation of the at least one energy conservation measure, the at least one energy conservation measure is implemented.