A control system for a hybrid vehicle includes: an electric heater configured to heat a catalyst of an internal combustion engine; a position determination unit configured to determine whether the hybrid vehicle is located in an exit area of a low emission zone where operation of the internal combustion engine is supposed to be restricted, the exit area being an area adjacent to a boundary of the low emission zone; and a heater control unit configured to turn on the electric heater when the position determination unit determines that the hybrid vehicle is located in the exit area.

A control system for a hybrid vehicle which includes an internal combustion engine and an electric motor and whose drive mode is switchable between an electric vehicle mode and a hybrid vehicle mode includes: an on-board learning unit mounted on the hybrid vehicle and configured to perform a learning action; a position determination unit configured to determine whether the hybrid vehicle is located in a low emission area where operation of the internal combustion engine is supposed to be restricted; and a learning control unit configured to at least partially stop the learning action of the on-board learning unit when determination is made that the hybrid vehicle is located in the low emission area.

A control system for a hybrid vehicle which includes an internal combustion engine and an electric motor and whose drive mode is switchable between an electric vehicle mode and a hybrid vehicle mode includes: an on-board learning unit mounted on the hybrid vehicle and configured to perform a learning action; a position determination unit configured to determine whether the hybrid vehicle is located in a low emission area where operation of the internal combustion engine is supposed to be restricted; and a learning control unit configured to at least partially stop the learning action of the on-board learning unit when determination is made that the hybrid vehicle is located in the low emission area.

A control system for a hybrid vehicle that reduces a change in an engine torque when warming a catalyst. The hybrid vehicle comprises a catalyst that purifies exhaust gas, a first motor, a differential mechanism having a plurality of rotary elements, and an engagement device that selectively connects the first motor to an engine. A controller is configured to determine whether it is necessary to warm the catalyst, and disengage the engagement device while retarding an ignition timing of the engine when it is necessary to warm the purifying device.

A control device for a vehicle includes a catalyst temperature raising control part configured to perform catalyst temperature raising control raising a temperature of an exhaust purification catalyst of an internal combustion engine while driving in an EV mode on an EV section of a driving route when driving over the driving route in accordance with a driving plan when, while driving on the EV section: (i) the temperature of the exhaust purification catalyst is less than a predetermined temperature raising reference temperature that is higher than an activation temperature at which an exhaust purification function of the exhaust purification catalyst is activated, (ii) the exhaust purification catalyst was previously heated while driving on the driving route, and (iii) there is a CS section to be driven on while in a CS mode in a remaining driving section of the driving route after the EV section.

A method of reducing cold start emissions in a series mode hybrid electric vehicle, including an internal combustion engine with an exhaust duct having a catalyst and a downstream oxygen sensor, an output of the combustion engine being connected to an electric generator with a power output of at least 10 kW that is connected to an electric motor which is coupled to a drive shaft of two or more wheels. The method includes detecting a cold start condition, injecting fuel into the engine such that combustion at a lambda value, λ, is achieved for which λ>1, running the engine at a speed of 1000 rpm or higher, determining if the efficiency of the catalyst reaches a first level, setting λ to about 1 after the predetermined efficiency level of the catalyst has been reached, and reducing the speed to working conditions when the catalyst efficiency reaches a second level.

A method of reducing cold start emissions in a series mode hybrid electric vehicle, including an internal combustion engine with an exhaust duct having a catalyst and a downstream oxygen sensor, an output of the combustion engine being connected to an electric generator with a power output of at least 10 kW that is connected to an electric motor which is coupled to a drive shaft of two or more wheels. The method includes detecting a cold start condition, injecting fuel into the engine such that combustion at a lambda value, λ, is achieved for which λ>1, running the engine at a speed of 1000 rpm or higher, determining if the efficiency of the catalyst reaches a first level, setting λ to about 1 after the predetermined efficiency level of the catalyst has been reached, and reducing the speed to working conditions when the catalyst efficiency reaches a second level.

A method of providing a heating cycle for an after-treatment system is described. The method comprises initiating a pre-charge cycle of a DCDC converter and determining a temperature of the after-treatment system. In response to determining the temperature of the after-treatment system is below a threshold temperature and the pre-charge is complete, the method further comprises operating a solid-state switch to electrically connect a high voltage power source to a heating element to of the after-treatment system, and heating the after-treatment system with the heating element until the after-treatment system reaches the threshold temperature.

A method of providing a heating cycle for an after-treatment system is described. The method comprises initiating a pre-charge cycle of a DCDC converter and determining a temperature of the after-treatment system. In response to determining the temperature of the after-treatment system is below a threshold temperature and the pre-charge is complete, the method further comprises operating a solid-state switch to electrically connect a high voltage power source to a heating element to of the after-treatment system, and heating the after-treatment system with the heating element until the after-treatment system reaches the threshold temperature.

A method for operating a hybrid vehicle includes obtaining propulsion switching data descriptive of a state of one or more vehicle systems for switching power flow of an internal combustion engine and an electric machine. The propulsion switching data may be used to provide a driver behavior recommendation and/or an actual environmental impact of the hybrid vehicle.