Abstract: Systems and methods for driver coaching are described. One embodiment of a method includes determining first vehicle efficiency data from a first vehicle as the first vehicle is traversing a route, where the vehicle efficiency data relates to a driving efficiency of a driver of the first vehicle. The method may also be configured for determining second vehicle efficiency data associated with a second vehicle that previously traversed the route and determining a driver score from the first vehicle efficiency data. Some embodiments may also be configured for comparing the driver score with the second vehicle efficiency data to determine whether the driver can improve the driving efficiency and in response to determining that the driver can improve, providing instructions for traversing a remaining portion of the route, based on actions taken by the third party in traversing that portion of the route.

Abstract: A system for cost-effective charge planning for a battery of a vehicle includes a battery having a SOC corresponding to an amount of energy stored by the battery. The system also includes an internal electric vehicle charger capable of receiving energy from a charging station and transferring the energy to the battery to increase the SOC. The system includes an electronic control unit (ECU) that can predict a route set including a first destination and a second destination and an amount of time spent at each. The ECU can determine charge planning data including an amount of energy required to reach the first and second destinations and a cost of energy at the first and second destinations. The ECU can determine how much to charge the battery at the first destination and at the second destination based on the predicted route set and the determined charge planning data.

Abstract: A system for cost-effective charge planning for a battery of a vehicle includes a battery having a SOC corresponding to an amount of energy stored by the battery. The system also includes an internal electric vehicle charger capable of receiving energy from a charging station and transferring the energy to the battery to increase the SOC. The system includes an electronic control unit (ECU) that can predict a route set including a first destination and a second destination and an amount of time spent at each. The ECU can determine charge planning data including an amount of energy required to reach the first and second destinations and a cost of energy at the first and second destinations. The ECU can determine how much to charge the battery at the first destination and at the second destination based on the predicted route set and the determined charge planning data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for driver coaching are described. One embodiment of a method includes determining first vehicle efficiency data from a first vehicle as the first vehicle is traversing a route, where the vehicle efficiency data relates to a driving efficiency of a driver of the first vehicle. The method may also be configured for determining second vehicle efficiency data associated with a second vehicle that previously traversed the route and determining a driver score from the first vehicle efficiency data. Some embodiments may also be configured for comparing the driver score with the second vehicle efficiency data to determine whether the driver can improve the driving efficiency and in response to determining that the driver can improve, providing instructions for traversing a remaining portion of the route, based on actions taken by the third party in traversing that portion of the route.

Abstract: A method of preheating a hybrid vehicle including storing reserve coolant in an insulated reservoir fluidly coupled to a coolant circuit of an engine of the hybrid vehicle; powering a fluid pump fluidly coupled to the coolant circuit with a power source external to the hybrid vehicle; pumping line coolant through the coolant circuit with the fluid pump; powering a heater thermally coupled to the coolant circuit with the power source external to the hybrid vehicle; heating the line coolant with the heater as the line coolant is pumped through the coolant circuit to increase a temperature of the line coolant; and mixing the line coolant with the reserve coolant to accelerate preheating of at least the engine of the hybrid vehicle.

Abstract: A method of preheating a hybrid vehicle including storing reserve coolant in an insulated reservoir fluidly coupled to a coolant circuit of an engine of the hybrid vehicle; powering a fluid pump fluidly coupled to the coolant circuit with a power source external to the hybrid vehicle; pumping line coolant through the coolant circuit with the fluid pump; powering a heater thermally coupled to the coolant circuit with the power source external to the hybrid vehicle; heating the line coolant with the heater as the line coolant is pumped through the coolant circuit to increase a temperature of the line coolant; and mixing the line coolant with the reserve coolant to accelerate preheating of at least the engine of the hybrid vehicle.

Abstract: A system for decelerating a hybrid vehicle, the system includes a continuously variable transmission (CVT), a brake pedal, an accelerator pedal, a sensor for detecting a vehicle deceleration, a memory for storing a target deceleration corresponding to a coasting deceleration of the vehicle, and a processor. When the brake pedal and the accelerator pedal are released, the vehicle coasts. If the vehicle deceleration does not match the target deceleration, the processor adjusts the torque output by the CVT so that the vehicle deceleration substantially matches the target deceleration.

Abstract: A system for decelerating a hybrid vehicle, the system includes a continuously variable transmission (CVT), a brake pedal, an accelerator pedal, a sensor for detecting a vehicle deceleration, a memory for storing a target deceleration corresponding to a coasting deceleration of the vehicle, and a processor. When the brake pedal and the accelerator pedal are released, the vehicle coasts. If the vehicle deceleration does not match the target deceleration, the processor adjusts the torque output by the CVT so that the vehicle deceleration substantially matches the target deceleration.