APPARATUS, METHOD AND MEMORY FOR IMPROVING THE PERFORMANCE AND CHARGING OF HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLES

摘要

Disclosed herein are a method, apparatus and memory for charging or discharging a powertrain battery of a hybrid electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. The method includes obtaining driving conditions along a route to be travelled by the vehicle; projecting a driving period during which the vehicle will be subject to the driving conditions; determining whether the powertrain battery will fully discharge during the driving period; and charging the powertrain battery, prior to the driving period, when it is determined that the powertrain battery will fully discharge during the driving period. Alternatively, the method includes obtaining a current cost of electricity; and charging the powertrain battery when the current cost of electricity is below a certain threshold.