A controller of a vehicle, while the vehicle is within a predefined geofenced region and responsive to the vehicle entering park, increases a maximum state of charge threshold for the battery and decreases a minimum state of charge threshold for the battery. The controller also, while the vehicle is located within the predefined geofenced region and responsive to the vehicle exiting park, decreases the maximum state of charge threshold and increases the minimum state of charge threshold.

A method for changing from electrical operation to hybrid operation in a vehicle hybrid drive is provided. The method includes detecting an increase in a target traction power and starting the internal combustion engine. When the internal combustion engine starts, the method includes outputting a positive torque by generating an increasing generator power. The generator power is used together with an electrical power of a storage unit for generating electrical traction power. The generator power is generated while the internal combustion engine is not yet fully coupled to an output. The method includes fully coupling the internal combustion engine to the output after the generation of the increasing generator power has begun. After the internal combustion engine has been fully coupled, the method includes reducing the electrical power of the storage unit to a non-positive value and adjusting the generator power in accordance with a predetermined energy balance.

The disclosure is directed at an apparatus for an active converter dolly for use in a tractor-trailer configuration. In one aspect, the apparatus includes a system to connect a first trailer towed behind a towing vehicle to a second trailer. The apparatus further includes a kinetic energy recovery device for translating the mechanical motions or actions of the dolly into electricity or electrical energy so that this energy can be used to charge a battery or to power other functionality for either the dolly or the tractor-trailer. The active dolly may also operate to assist in shunting the tractor-trailer. The active dolly is operable in a number of modes to increase vehicle performance and efficiency.

An example method includes making a first determination that a load of a cooling system of a vehicle is expected to increase and become greater than a capacity of the cooling system; operating, in response to making the first determination, the vehicle in a first mode where a combustion engine and an electric motor operate such that a charge level of a power supply of the vehicle increases or is maintained above a threshold charge level; making, after operating the vehicle in the first mode, a second determination that the load of the cooling system has become greater than the capacity of the cooling system; and operating, in response to making the second determination, the vehicle in a second mode where the combustion engine and the electric motor operate such that the charge level of the power supply decreases or is maintained below the threshold charge level.

Provided is a vehicle control device that prevents a specific function of a traveling vehicle from being not able to operate due to a failure of a battery. The vehicle control device includes: a control section configured to execute predetermined function control for a vehicle system; a discharge performance determination section configured to determine whether or not a battery is able to discharge a predetermined amount of current in accordance with a predetermined function before the predetermined function control is started; and an execution availability determination section configured to permit the control section to execute the predetermined function when it is determined that the predetermined amount of current is able to be discharged and inhibit the control section from executing the predetermined function when it is determined that the predetermined amount of current is not able to be discharged.

The disclosure is directed at a method and apparatus for an active convertor dolly for use in a tractor-trailer configuration. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a system to connect a tractor to a trailer. The apparatus further includes a charge generating system for translating the mechanical motions or actions of the dolly into electricity or electrical energy so that this energy can be used to charge a battery or to power other functionality for either the dolly or the tractor-trailer. The active dolly may also operate to assist in shunting the tractor-trailer.

A vehicle travel control device includes: a control section controlling operation of a motor generator and a power storage device. The control section performs SOC reduction control based on determination that while the own vehicle is traveling on a travel scheduled route, a section is present in which a predetermined amount of regenerative power generation by the motor generator in the own vehicle exceeds an SOC upper limit value. The SOC reduction control reduces a current SOC of the power storage device by setting an SOC lower limit value as a lower limit, to recover all electric power generated by the regenerative power generation. The control section performs efficiency priority travel based on determination that the predetermined amount of regenerative power generation is not actually expected to be available. The efficiency priority travel places priority on vehicle fuel economy or electric power efficiency.

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.

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.

A vehicle battery controller includes a sensor configured to acquire information on a subordinate battery configured to back up a main battery during autonomous driving, a DDC provided between the main battery and the subordinate battery, a switching circuit configured to switch a connection state of the subordinate battery between a connection state for manual driving and a connection state for the autonomous driving, and an electronic control unit configured to control charging and discharging of the subordinate battery by controlling the DDC and the switching circuit based on the information acquired by the sensor. The electronic control unit permits the autonomous driving when determination is made, through first battery control, that the subordinate battery can output backup power. The electronic control unit determines whether the subordinate battery can output the backup power by executing second battery control having higher accuracy than that of the first battery control.