A vehicle drive apparatus includes: an engine; a rotary machine; an output member coupled to a drive wheel of a vehicle; a differential mechanism configured to couple the engine, the rotary machine, and the output member together to be differentially rotatable via a plurality of differentially rotatable rotational elements; and an elastic member configured to couple a rotation shaft of the rotary machine to the rotational element of the differential mechanism to be relatively rotatable.

A vehicle includes an internal combustion engine (ICE) selectable between a running state and a non-running state. A thermoelectric generator (TEG) is in thermal contact with the ICE for converting thermal energy from the ICE to output electrical energy. The vehicle has an electric pump for circulating a liquid coolant through a coolant circuit. The electric pump is selectively powerable by the electrical energy output from the TEG. The coolant circuit is in fluid communication with the ICE, a radiator, and the TEG; and the TEG is downstream of the radiator in the coolant circuit.

A vehicle includes an internal combustion engine (ICE) selectable between a running state and a non-running state. A thermoelectric generator (TEG) is in thermal contact with the ICE for converting thermal energy from the ICE to output electrical energy. The vehicle has an electric pump for circulating a liquid coolant through a coolant circuit. The electric pump is selectively powerable by the electrical energy output from the TEG. The coolant circuit is in fluid communication with the ICE, a radiator, and the TEG; and the TEG is downstream of the radiator in the coolant circuit.

A driving control method of a hybrid vehicle is provided. The method includes when a specific zone related to discharge of exhaust gas is detected ahead on a path, determining whether a current state of charge (SoC) of a battery is greater than a first value. When the current SoC is greater than the first value, driving in a first mode for charging the battery in power of an engine in a first section disposed before entrance into the specific zone. Upon entering a second section corresponding to the specific zone, a current mode into a second mode for driving using power of a motor only is converted, battery consumption is reduced using at least one step along with a change in the current SoC in the second section.

A driving control method of a hybrid vehicle is provided. The method includes when a specific zone related to discharge of exhaust gas is detected ahead on a path, determining whether a current state of charge (SoC) of a battery is greater than a first value. When the current SoC is greater than the first value, driving in a first mode for charging the battery in power of an engine in a first section disposed before entrance into the specific zone. Upon entering a second section corresponding to the specific zone, a current mode into a second mode for driving using power of a motor only is converted, battery consumption is reduced using at least one step along with a change in the current SoC in the second section.

A hybrid vehicle evaporation system may include a fuel tank having a fuel level sensor, a refuel button, and a controller. The controller may be programmed to disable HV charging in response to a selection of the refuel button, monitor a fuel level received from the fuel level sensor, and enable HV charging in response to the fuel level failing to increase for a predetermined amount of time.

A hybrid vehicle evaporation system may include a fuel tank having a fuel level sensor, a refuel button, and a controller. The controller may be programmed to disable HV charging in response to a selection of the refuel button, monitor a fuel level received from the fuel level sensor, and enable HV charging in response to the fuel level failing to increase for a predetermined amount of time.

Methods and systems are provided for a tensioning arm. In one example, the tensioning arm comprises a plurality of carbon fibers with electrically conductive fibers arranged therein configured to supply current to a pair of bushings arranged distally to one another to heat lubricant arranged proximally thereto in response to a temperature of the tensioning arm being less than or equal to a threshold temperature.

Methods and systems are provided for a tensioning arm. In one example, the tensioning arm comprises a plurality of carbon fibers with electrically conductive fibers arranged therein configured to supply current to a pair of bushings arranged distally to one another to heat lubricant arranged proximally thereto in response to a temperature of the tensioning arm being less than or equal to a threshold temperature.

A method is provided for diagnosing an AGS system fault in a hybrid electric vehicle. That method includes validating shutter movement and inferring shutter position based upon stall current of a shutter drive motor and current drawn by an HEV traction motor. A new and improved active grill shutter system for a hybrid electric vehicle is also disclosed.