Abstract: A method (300) of controlling an internal combustion engine (3) of a vehicle (1), comprising: receiving at least one input (301) indicative of a current external environment proximal to the vehicle (1); determining (305) in dependence on the at least one input (301) whether a hazard is present; determining a current propulsion demand (303) of the vehicle (1); if it is determined that the current propulsion demand (303) is low, either commanding switching of the internal combustion engine (3) to an off state (307) if it is determined that a hazard is not present, or not commanding switching of the internal combustion engine (3) to the off state if it is determined that a hazard is present; and if it is determined that the current propulsion demand (303) is high, commanding switching of the internal combustion engine (3) to an on state if the internal combustion engine (3) is in the off state.

Abstract: A method of controlling a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle including an electric propulsion system, an engine, and a catalytic converter associated with the engine, the method comprising: monitoring a state of charge of a battery of the vehicle when in a charge depletion mode; determining a rate of depletion of the state of charge; estimating from the rate of depletion a duration of a depletion period representing the time remaining until a minimum state of charge of the battery will be reached; determining a duration of a warming period of the catalytic converter; comparing the duration of the depletion period and the duration of the warming period; and activating the engine if the duration of the depletion period is less than or equal to the duration of the warming period.

Abstract: A method (300) of controlling an internal combustion engine (3) of a vehicle (1), comprising: receiving at least one input (301) indicative of a current external environment proximal to the vehicle (1); determining (305) in dependence on the at least one input (301) whether a hazard is present; determining a current propulsion demand (303) of the vehicle (1); if it is determined that the current propulsion demand (303) is low, either commanding switching of the internal combustion engine (3) to an off state (307) if it is determined that a hazard is not present, or not commanding switching of the internal combustion engine (3) to the off state if it is determined that a hazard is present; and if it is determined that the current propulsion demand (303) is high, commanding switching of the internal combustion engine (3) to an on state if the internal combustion engine (3) is in the off state.

Abstract: A method of controlling a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle including an electric propulsion system, an engine, and a catalytic converter associated with the engine, the method comprising: monitoring a state of charge of a battery of the vehicle when in a charge depletion mode; determining a rate of depletion of the state of charge; estimating from the rate of depletion a duration of a depletion period representing the time remaining until a minimum state of charge of the battery will be reached; determining a duration of a warming period of the catalytic converter; comparing the duration of the depletion period and the duration of the warming period; and activating the engine if the duration of the depletion period is less than or equal to the duration of the warming period.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a control system for a hybrid electric vehicle having an engine (121) and first (123C) and second (123B) electric machines operable as propulsion motors. The second electric machine is arranged to be drivably coupled to the engine, the engine being arranged to be drivably coupled to a driveline of the vehicle by clutch means (122).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a control system for a hybrid electric vehicle having an engine (121) and first (123C) and second (123B) electric machines operable as propulsion motors. The second electric machine is arranged to be drivably coupled to the engine, the engine being arranged to be drivably coupled to a driveline of the vehicle by clutch means (122).