METHOD FOR IMPROVING FUEL ECONOMY OF A HYBRID VEHICLE

摘要

A fuel economy control method for a hybrid vehicle includes estimating a temperature of a battery, measuring a current of the battery, and measuring a voltage of the battery. A nominal optimum charging voltage is determined as a function of a state of charge (SOC) of the battery and the estimated temperature. The nominal optimum charging voltage is reduced to a fuel economy minimum charging voltage if the SOC is above a predetermined level and the current is within a predetermined range. The battery is then charged at the fuel economy minimum charging voltage using a DC/DC converter.