A method for determination of a maximum real range of an electric vehicle equipped with a battery having a variable charging state within a cycling domain. The method includes getting a first and second magnitude indicative of an electric voltage at the terminals of the battery, respectively for an initial value and for a final value of the state of charge within the cycling domain. The method further includes a predetermined demand on the battery during which the charging state of the battery varies within the cycling domain from the initial value to a final value. The method further includes determining the maximum real range of the vehicle based on an estimate of a difference between the second magnitude and the first magnitude.

Systems and methods may coordinate and provide bidirectional energy transfer events between electrified vehicles and other vehicles, devices, and/or structures. A power outage map can automatically be generated in response to a power outage condition of a grid power source. Both a power outage zone and a predicted power outage zone may be identified within the power outage map. A notification, alternative drive route recommendation, etc. may be sent to users of the bidirectional energy transfer system who are operating their vehicles near the power outage zone or the predicted power outage zone.

Systems and methods may coordinate and provide bidirectional energy transfer events between electrified vehicles and other vehicles, devices, and/or structures. A power outage map can automatically be generated in response to a power outage condition of a grid power source. Both a power outage zone and a predicted power outage zone may be identified within the power outage map. A notification, alternative drive route recommendation, etc. may be sent to users of the bidirectional energy transfer system who are operating their vehicles near the power outage zone or the predicted power outage zone.

Systems and methods for charging electric vehicles and for quantitative and qualitative load balancing of electrical demand are provided.

Systems and methods for charging electric vehicles and for quantitative and qualitative load balancing of electrical demand are provided.

This disclosure presents a portable load bank apparatus, system, method of control, and method of manufacture. A portable load bank apparatus may comprise one or more of a vehicle, a load bank, a set of batteries, a set of battery chargers, one or more processors, and/or other components. The load bank may be configured to perform a load test of an external power source. The processor(s) may be configured to cause one or more battery chargers in the set of battery chargers to direct an amount of a power output received by the load bank from the external power source to the set of batteries. The set of batteries may be used to provide electrical energy to one or more of an electric motor of the vehicle, one or more other electric vehicle, and/or other sources that may need electrical energy.

An apparatus comprises a power electronic energy conversion system comprising a first energy storage device configured to store DC energy and a first voltage converter configured to convert a second voltage from a remote power supply into a first charging voltage configured to charge the first energy storage device. The apparatus also includes a first controller configured to control the first voltage converter to convert the second voltage into the first charging voltage and to provide the first charging voltage to the first energy storage device during a charging mode of operation and communicate with a second controller located remotely from the power electronic energy conversion system to cause a second charging voltage to be provided to the first energy storage device during the charging mode of operation to rapidly charge the first energy storage device.

An apparatus for guiding an autonomous vehicle towards a docking station including an autonomous vehicle with a camera-based sensing system, a drive system for driving the autonomous vehicle, and a control system for controlling the drive system. The apparatus includes a docking station including a first fiducial marker and a second fiducial marker, wherein the second fiducial marker is positioned on the docking station to define a predetermined relative spacing with the first fiducial marker, wherein the control system is operable to receive an image provided by the camera-based sensing system, the image including a representation of the first and second fiducial markers, and to control the drive system so as to guide the autonomous vehicle towards the base station based on a difference between the representation of the first and second fiducial markers in the received image and the predetermined relative spacing between the first and second fiducial markers.

An electric vehicle charging station charging electric vehicles dynamically responds to power limit messages. The charging station includes a charging port that is configured to electrically connect to an electric vehicle to provide power to charge that electric vehicle. The charging station also includes a power control unit coupled with the charging port, the power control unit configured to control an amount of power provided through the charging port. The charging station also includes a set of one or more charging station control modules that are configured to, in response to receipt of a message that indicates a request to limit an amount of power to an identified percentage and based on a history of power provided through the charging port over a period of time, cause the power control unit to limit the power provided through the charging port to the identified percentage.

The invention relates to a device and a method for automatically charging an electrical energy storage means in a vehicle. For this purpose, firstly, the position of a charging socket on a vehicle is determined, based on vehicle-specific data. Subsequently, a charging robot travels on the ground near to the charging socket. Then, the charging robot establishes a galvanic connection between the charging station and charging socket. For this purpose, the charging robot introduces a contact head connected to the charging station into the charging socket of the vehicle. After termination of the charging process, the contact head is removed from the charging socket, thereby releasing the vehicle.