A vehicle and method for controlling a vehicle having a variable displacement engine with an auxiliary machine connected directly to the engine crankshaft and to an energy storage device includes switching from a cylinder disablement (VDE) mode to a normal mode when the torque demand and engine speed lie outside an outer range defined by a first threshold (T.sub.out), and switching from the normal mode to the VDE mode when the torque demand and engine speed lie within an inner range, which lies within the outer range and defined by a second threshold (T.sub.in). When operating in a band between the two thresholds, the auxiliary machine draws energy from the energy storage device and supplements the output torque from the engine if operating in the VDE mode, and derives torque from the engine crankshaft to recharge the energy storage device if operating in the normal mode.

A hybrid electric vehicle and a method for compensating a motor torque thereof, may include a hybrid control unit (HCU) including a processor and a non-transitory storage medium containing instructions executed by the processor. The processor is configured to start motor torque intervention upon entering a predetermined shift phase during shifting, to determine a motor torque compensation amount by reflecting engine torque according to engine torque reduction control, and to perform motor torque compensation control based on the motor torque compensation amount.

A vehicle control apparatus to be mounted on a vehicle including an engine includes an electric motor, an electricity storage device, and a motor controller. The electric motor is coupled to the engine and generates motor power. The electricity storage device is coupled to the electric motor through a power supply cable. The motor controller causes execution of an assistance mode. The assistance mode includes controlling the electric motor to a powering state to transmit the motor power to the engine in operation. The motor controller permits the execution of the assistance mode on the condition that a rotation speed of the electric motor is lower than a threshold. The motor controller prohibits the execution of the assistance mode on the condition that the rotation speed of the electric motor is higher than the threshold.

A vehicle control system according to this embodiment includes: a storage battery that stores a electric power generated by a power generating unit or electric power supplied by a charging spot; a use status acquiring unit that acquires a use status of a charging spot present in an area identified by a route from a place of departure to a destination of the vehicle; and a control unit that sets a charging target value of the storage battery at the time of arrival of the vehicle at a destination to be higher in a case in which a status is determined in which the charging spot is unusable than a case in which a status is determined in which the charging spot is usable on the basis of the use status of the charging spot acquired by the use status acquiring unit.

A through the road (TTR) hybridization strategy is proposed to facilitate introduction of hybrid electric vehicle technology in a significant portion of current and expected trucking fleets. In some cases, the technologies can be retrofitted onto an existing vehicle (e.g., a trailer, a tractor-trailer configuration, etc.). In some cases, the technologies can be built into new vehicles. In some cases, one vehicle may be built or retrofitted to operate in tandem with another and provide the hybridization benefits contemplated herein. By supplementing motive forces delivered through a primary drivetrain and fuel-fed engine with supplemental torque delivered at one or more electrically-powered drive axles, improvements in overall fuel efficiency and performance may be delivered, typically without significant redesign of existing components and systems that have been proven in the trucking industry.

According to one embodiment, a vehicle includes an electrified propulsion system having an electric machine powered by a traction battery over an electrical distribution system (EDS). A controller is programmed to, reduce a speed limit of the vehicle from a maximum speed limit to an EDS speed limit in response to a measured average current of the EDS being within a threshold percentage of an average current limit of the EDS, and, in response to a measured speed of the vehicle exceeding the EDS speed limit, command a torque to the electric machine that is less than a driver-demanded torque such that the vehicle is propelled at a speed below the EDS speed limit.

A drive train for a vehicle includes a first electromagnetic device, a second electromagnetic device electrically coupled to the first electromagnetic device by an electrical power transmission system, and an engine coupled to the first electromagnetic device and configured to drive the first electromagnetic device to provide electrical energy. In all modes of operation where the engine drives the first electromagnetic device to provide the electrical energy, the first electromagnetic device operates without providing the electrical energy to an energy storage device.

A four-wheel drive vehicle includes a drive-power distribution device including (a) a clutch for distributing an engine drive power, between main and auxiliary drive wheels, (b) an electric motor, (c) a press mechanism for pressing the clutch by converting a rotary motion of the electric motor into a linear motion. The drive-power distribution device adjusts a torque capacity of the clutch to adjust a drive-power distribution ratio between the main and auxiliary drive wheels. The vehicle further includes a control apparatus for executing a drive-power distribution control for adjusting the drive-power distribution ratio, and an automatic-stop control for causing the engine to be automatically stopped upon satisfaction of an engine-stop condition. When the engine is in a stop state by execution of the automatic-stop control, the control apparatus inhibits change of the drive-power distribution ratio which is to be made by change of a rotational direction of the electric motor.

A vehicle is operable in three modes of operation. The vehicle includes a first electromagnetic device, a second electromagnetic device electrically coupled to the first electromagnetic device, and an engine coupled to the first electromagnetic device and configured to drive the first electromagnetic device to provide electrical energy. In each of the three modes of operation, whenever the engine drives the first electromagnetic device to provide the electrical energy, the first electromagnetic device operates without providing the electrical energy to an energy storage device.

According to one embodiment, a vehicle includes an electrified propulsion system having an electric machine powered by a traction battery over an electrical distribution system (EDS). A controller is programmed to, reduce a speed limit of the vehicle from a maximum speed limit to an EDS speed limit in response to a measured average current of the EDS being within a threshold percentage of an average current limit of the EDS, and, in response to a measured speed of the vehicle exceeding the EDS speed limit, command a torque to the electric machine that is less than a driver-demanded torque such that the vehicle is propelled at a speed below the EDS speed limit.