Abstract: A vehicle includes a multi-purpose automotive sound device for alerting pedestrians. The vehicle includes front and rear wheels, side mirrors, a sound device, and a controller. The sound device operates in a first mode and a second mode to generate an audio signal. The sound device is disposed adjacent to the front wheel and one of the side mirrors. The controller activates the sound device in the first mode or the second mode based on a state of the vehicle.

Abstract: A roadside advertising system includes a roadside display. The system further includes a controller programmed to receive preference and vehicle data associated with one or more vehicles within a predetermined distance of the roadside display and to cause display of an advertisement corresponding to one of a plurality of preferences from the vehicles that maximizes a weighted preference function derived from vehicles within a maximum viewing distance of the roadside display.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to determine a projected vehicle arrival time at a destination point. The processor is also configured to determine a projected hailed-ride arrival time at the destination point and, responsive to the projected vehicle arrival time being within a predefined threshold of the projected hailed-ride arrival time, request a hailed-ride to arrive at the destination point.

Abstract: An electric vehicle (EV) charge system includes a plug, a camera, a projection unit, and a controller. The controller may be configured to, responsive to receiving a charge request, activate the camera to capture an image of a vehicle, and project onto the vehicle guidance information associated with the plug based on a vehicle type and relative vehicle location identified from the image.

Abstract: Methods and systems for electric vehicles, such as battery electric vehicles (BEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV), include preemptively cooling a traction battery of the vehicle when a DC Fast Charge (DCFC) event is expected. The expected DCFC event is predicted during a drive cycle and prior to arrival at a DCFC station, based on drive history data of the vehicle or battery state of charge. Preemptive cooling is inhibited if the expected DCFC event can be completed in an amount of time less than a predefined amount of time.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining availability of a vehicle charging station are provided. One vehicle system includes a telematics unit configured to wirelessly communicate with a second telematics unit of a second vehicle electrically coupled to a charging station; a processor configured to obtain a remaining charge time from the second vehicle, using the telematics unit; and a display for displaying the remaining charge time in association with information related to the second vehicle. One method includes establishing, using a telematics unit, wireless communication with a second telematics unit of a second vehicle electrically coupled to the charging station; obtaining, using a processor, a remaining charge time from the second vehicle via the telematics unit; and displaying, on a display, the remaining charge time in association with information related to the second vehicle.

Abstract: A method of charging an electric wheelchair according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, charging an energy storage device of the electric wheelchair with power from an electrified vehicle charging station. An electric wheelchair and an electrified vehicle are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electric vehicle charging station including a cord terminating at a plug is provided. The charging station may include a controller that may be configured to, responsive to receiving payment credentials from a user and identification of a charge-stopping event, provide electricity to the cord to induce an electromagnetic field, and responsive to a current associated with the electromagnetic field exceeding a predetermined threshold, permit processing of the payment credentials to complete payment.

Abstract: Vehicle bus data is collected from an electronic control unit. User input is received to initiate creation of a vehicle health report for describing a vehicle diagnostic event. A voice message descriptive of a context of the diagnostic event is recorded. The telematics controller sends, to a sever, the vehicle health report including the voice message and a subset of the vehicle bus data including a time of the user input.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining availability of a vehicle charging station are provided. One vehicle system includes a telematics unit configured to wirelessly communicate with a second telematics unit of a second vehicle electrically coupled to a charging station; a processor configured to obtain a remaining charge time from the second vehicle, using the telematics unit; and a display for displaying the remaining charge time in association with information related to the second vehicle. One method includes establishing, using a telematics unit, wireless communication with a second telematics unit of a second vehicle electrically coupled to the charging station; obtaining, using a processor, a remaining charge time from the second vehicle via the telematics unit; and displaying, on a display, the remaining charge time in association with information related to the second vehicle.

Abstract: An exemplary charging energy recapture assembly includes a fluid loop outside a traction battery of an electrified vehicle. The fluid loop communicates a charger fluid through a charger to the electrified vehicle and returns the charger fluid to a charging station without combining the charger fluid with a vehicle fluid. An exemplary charging energy recapture method includes circulating a charger fluid through a charger between a charging station and an electrified vehicle without the charger fluid commingling with a vehicle fluid or communicating through a traction battery of the electrified vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and systems for electric vehicles, such as battery electric vehicles (BEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV), include preemptively cooling a traction battery of the vehicle when a DC Fast Charge (DCFC) event is expected. The expected DCFC event is predicted during a drive cycle and prior to arrival at a DCFC station, based on drive history data of the vehicle or battery state of charge. Preemptive cooling is inhibited if the expected DCFC event can be completed in an amount of time less than a predefined amount of time.

Abstract: An electric vehicle thermal management system may include a traction battery assembly, a coolant circuit, an exchanger, a charge port assembly, and a control system. The traction battery assembly may include a thermal plate. The coolant circuit may include a chiller and may be arranged with the thermal plate to distribute coolant thereto. The exchanger may be arranged with the coolant circuit for thermal, but not fluid, communication therebetween. The charge port assembly may be in fluid communication with the exchanger and may be configured to receive coolant from an external source. The control system may include a control line configured to communicate with the external source, to monitor conditions of the traction battery assembly, chiller, and external source, and to direct operation of the external source based on the conditions.

Abstract: A battery thermal management system according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a battery pack, a coolant subsystem configured to cool the battery pack, and a thermoelectric device disposed within the coolant subsystem and selectively activated to augment cooling of the battery pack.

Abstract: A vehicle charging station according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a cooling system configured to communicate a cooling airflow to a portion of a thermal management system located onboard an electrified vehicle, the cooling system including a fan and a chiller assembly.

Abstract: An electrified vehicle according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a tire and an electrically powered heating device configured to selectively warm the tire. The heating device may be powered during on-plug conditions to precondition the tire.