Methods and systems are provided for estimating a drive train temperature for a journey. In one example, a method comprises requesting a vehicle operator to input one or more travel parameters for the journey, predicting travel parameters the vehicle operator omitted to input, and displaying an estimated fuel economy for the journey, where the estimated fuel economy is based on the estimated drive train temperature, which is based on the travel parameters.

An electrified vehicle includes a traction battery and a battery thermal control system. A controller is configured to receive an initial regenerative braking capability and operation the battery thermal control system to precondition the traction battery during a charge event to a temperature that corresponds to the initial regenerative braking capability such that, during a subsequent drive cycle, the regenerative braking capability is at least equal to the initial regenerative braking capability for at least a predetermined duration into the subsequent drive cycle.

Methods and systems are provided for controlling thermal conditioning of a battery system associated with brakes of a vehicle towing a trailer. In one embodiment, a method includes: determining, by a processor, that a temperature of the battery system is outside of a defined temperature range; determining, by the processor, a delta value between a brake request and a battery charge limit; generating, by the processor, a control signal to at least one of a heater and a compressor of the vehicle based on the delta value; generating, by the processor, a control signal to the battery system to initiate regeneration braking; and generating, by the processor, a braking reduction request to reduce braking by the trailer.

A method for operating a motor vehicle. At least one electric engine designed for driving the motor vehicle is used to recuperate electric energy. In this case, a travel of the motor vehicle during a period of time lying ahead is taken into account. During the use of at least one electric engine for recuperating the electric energy, it is taken into account whether during a thermal load of the at least one electric engine in the period lying ahead, a reduction of the power that can be output by at least one electric engine is to be expected. The at least one electric engine then recuperates an amount of electric energy during the deceleration of the motor vehicle which is smaller than the amount of electric energy that can be recuperated during the deceleration by the at least one electric engine. The invention relates in addition also to a motor vehicle.

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.

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 includes an electric machine, a battery, a cooler, and a controller. The electric machine is configured to propel the vehicle. The battery is configured to power the electric machine. The cooler is configured to cool the battery. The controller is programmed to, responsive to the vehicle traveling from first to second locations on a predetermined route, operate the electric machine such that battery charge is depleted from an initial charge at the first location to a minimum battery charge limit upon arrival at the second location. The controller is also programmed to, responsive to the vehicle traveling from first to second locations on a predetermined route, operate the cooler such that battery temperature increases from an initial temperature at the first location to a battery shutdown temperature limit at the second location.

An apparatus for controlling a towing mode of an electric vehicle is provided. The apparatus includes a first sensor that measures a speed of the electric vehicle and a second sensor that measures a gradient of a road on which the electric vehicle is driven. A controller detects a reference output of the electric vehicle based on the speed and the gradient of the road and detects a towing weight of the electric vehicle based on an excess rate of a current output with respect to the reference output. The towing mode of the electric vehicle is then executed based on the detected towing weight.

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.

There is provided an electrically driven vehicle used for a car sharing system and configured to appropriately increase the temperature of a power storage device. The electrically driven vehicle used for the car sharing system is provided with a power storage device and a temperature raising device configured to increase temperature of the power storage device. When a user operates a communication device to make a direct reservation or an indirect reservation of the electrically driven vehicle for driving, the electrically driven vehicle estimates a driving start time of the vehicle, based on the position of the communication device, sets a temperature-rising start time of the power storage device, based on the temperature of the power storage device and the estimated driving start time, and controls the temperature raising device to start a temperature increase of the power storage device at the set temperature-rising start time.