A powertrain for an electric vehicle has a driveshaft connected to two or more motors where each motor is connected to a battery pack associated with that motor. A controller is used to select one or more motors to be energized for propulsion or used for regenerative braking to recharge the battery pack to which it is coupled. The controller can optimize the state of charge (SOC) difference of the battery packs and provide for a smooth and efficient powering of the vehicle for acceleration and climbing and optimize the range of the vehicle by management of the relative SOC of the battery packs. The electric vehicle can include two or more fuel cells that individually coupled to a motor.

A drivetrain includes an electric machine, an inverter, and a controller. The controller, for a given operating point of the electric machine, may schedule a method of commutation for switches of the inverter during presence of a negative wheel torque request according to a charge rate corresponding to the negative wheel torque request, temperatures of the electric machine and/or inverter, and/or a battery state of charge.

A drivetrain includes an electric machine, an inverter, and a controller. The controller, for a given operating point of the electric machine, may schedule a method of commutation for switches of the inverter during presence of a negative wheel torque request according to a charge rate corresponding to the negative wheel torque request, temperatures of the electric machine and/or inverter, and/or a battery state of charge.

A 12 volt automotive battery system includes a first battery coupled to an electrical system, in which the first battery include a first battery chemistry, and a second battery coupled in parallel with the first battery and selectively coupled to the electrical system via a first switch, in which the second battery includes a second battery chemistry that has a higher coulombic efficiency than the first battery chemistry. The first switch couples the second battery to the electrical system during regenerative braking to enable the second battery to capture a majority of the power generated during regenerative braking. The 12 volt automotive battery system further includes a variable voltage alternator that outputs a first voltage during regenerative braking to charge the second battery and a second voltage otherwise, in which the first voltage is higher than the second voltage.

A 12 volt automotive battery system includes a first battery coupled to an electrical system, in which the first battery include a first battery chemistry, and a second battery coupled in parallel with the first battery and selectively coupled to the electrical system via a first switch, in which the second battery includes a second battery chemistry that has a higher coulombic efficiency than the first battery chemistry. The first switch couples the second battery to the electrical system during regenerative braking to enable the second battery to capture a majority of the power generated during regenerative braking. The 12 volt automotive battery system further includes a variable voltage alternator that outputs a first voltage during regenerative braking to charge the second battery and a second voltage otherwise, in which the first voltage is higher than the second voltage.

A control apparatus for a vehicle includes an offset torque calculator configured to perform calculation of offset torque to be applied to at least one wheel of the vehicle. The offset torque is required to stop the vehicle on a sloping road having a predetermined gradient. The control apparatus includes a motor controller configured to, for stopping the vehicle on the sloping road having the predetermined gradient, perform control of causing output torque of the motor-generator to asymptotically approach the offset torque.

A vehicle drive system includes a battery, at least one drive motor, inverter circuits, a step-up circuit, and a switch. The inverter circuits are configured to drive the at least one drive motor. The step-up circuit is connected between the battery and the inverter circuits. The switch is configured to switch a connection state of the inverter circuits to the step-up circuit between series connection and parallel connection.

A vehicle drive system includes a battery, at least one drive motor, inverter circuits, a step-up circuit, and a switch. The inverter circuits are configured to drive the at least one drive motor. The step-up circuit is connected between the battery and the inverter circuits. The switch is configured to switch a connection state of the inverter circuits to the step-up circuit between series connection and parallel connection.

An electrified vehicle includes a motor connected to wheels and configured to perform regenerative braking at the wheels, a battery configured to store regenerative electric power output by the motor through the regenerative braking, and a controller configured to control the regenerative braking such that a braking torque applied to the wheels is less than or equal to a maximum braking torque and the regenerative electric power output by the motor is lower than or equal to a maximum regenerative electric power. The controller is configured to be able to change the maximum regenerative electric power and, when the controller has changed the maximum regenerative electric power, change the maximum braking torque.

This disclosure details cooling systems for cooling electric components, such as electric machines, within electrified vehicles. Exemplary cooling systems may include a spray bar positioned relative to a rear face of a stator of the electric machine. In some embodiments, the spray bar may be positioned axially between the rear face of the stator and a torque converter housing. One or more nozzles of the spray bar are configured to direct a coolant between adjacent back irons of the stator, onto end windings of the stator, or both. Actively cooling the stator allows the electric machine to operate at higher torques and speeds, thereby increasing performance.