Abstract: Presented are high-voltage electrical systems, control logic, and electric-drive vehicles with optimized motor torque output. A method of operating an electric-drive vehicle includes a controller identifying the vehicle's operating mode and determining calibration settings corresponding to this operating mode. These calibration settings include low and high coolant temperature (CoolTemp) thresholds, and motor-calibrated torque limits as a function of CoolTemp. The controller determines if the present CoolTemp of the power inverter's coolant is greater than the low CoolTemp threshold and less than the high CoolTemp threshold. If so, the controller sets a motor torque limit of the vehicle's electric motor to a torque limit value selected from a fixed torque limit region within the torque limits data between the low and high CoolTemp thresholds.

Abstract: An off-road vehicle includes a vehicle body, a power system, electrical devices, an electricity storage bank, a generator, and an electric power regulator. The electric power regulator is used to regulate the voltage output from the generator to the electricity storage bank and corresponds to the electricity storage bank. The electric power regulator includes a voltage regulating chip, a switch circuit and voltage stabilizing circuit. The electric power regulator is capable of regulating the voltage output from the generator to the electricity storage bank according to the nominal voltage of the electricity storage bank, and the output voltage of the electric power regulator is greater than the bank voltage.

Abstract: A method of controlling an alternator in a marine propulsion system includes receiving a demand value, wherein the demand value relates to an amount of output power produced by the engine that is demanded for propulsion of the marine vessel, and determining whether the demand value exceeds a demand threshold. The alternator is then controlled to reduce the charge current output to the battery and/or reduce a portion of engine output power from the engine that is utilized by the alternator when the demand value exceeds the demand threshold.

Abstract: A terminal assembly for a traction motor includes a bus bar having a ring shape and a terminal holder configured to accommodate the bus bar therein to cover an exterior of the bus bar. The terminal assembly includes: the terminal holder which is perforated to form a coupling hole therein through which a surface of the bus bar is exposed; and a temperature sensor unit which is inserted into the coupling hole and senses a temperature of the bus bar. The terminal assembly for the traction motor according to the present disclosure has a structure in which the temperature sensor unit is coupled to the terminal holder. Thus, the epoxy application process of the related art may be omitted, the occurrence of errors due to the epoxy application may be fundamentally prevented, and the assembly process may be further simplified.

Abstract: An advance driver brake customizing method applied to a brake customizing system is provided to identically implement a braking feeling set according to a driver's vehicle regardless of a vehicle type by transplanting driver braking feeling information of a driver's vehicle into a braking feeling matching vehicle. A braking characteristic of a brake of a brake system, which is applied to the braking feeling matching vehicle, is directed to follow the braking characteristic of a brake of the brake system, which is applied to the braking feeling matching vehicle, through driver matching control in conjunction with a wireless network. In particular, even when the same driver changes a vehicle or a driver for the same vehicle is changed, the same braking feeling is maintained.

Abstract: A traveling mode setting unit configured to cause a shift to shift to a second traveling mode via a third traveling mode based on a traveling state of the vehicle traveling in the first traveling mode. The internal combustion engine control unit includes a derivation unit configured to derive a second rotational speed of the internal combustion engine at the time of transition from the third traveling mode to the second traveling mode based on a first rotational speed of the internal combustion engine at the time of transition from the first traveling mode to the third traveling mode, the traveling state of the vehicle and the second reduction ratio, and the internal combustion engine control unit is configured to control a third rotational speed of the internal combustion engine in the third traveling mode to be a value between the first rotational speed and the second rotational speed.

Abstract: An exemplary dual motor input includes a common shaft for coupling to a member to be rotationally driven, a first motor rotationally coupled to a first drive shaft, the first drive shaft coupled to the common shaft, and a second motor rotationally coupled to a second drive shaft, the second drive shaft coupled to the common shaft.

Abstract: A concrete mixer vehicle includes a chassis, a tractive assembly coupled to the chassis and configured to propel the concrete mixer vehicle, a mixing drum rotatably coupled to the chassis, and an electromagnetic device configured to convert electrical energy to mechanical energy to drive the tractive assembly. In a first configuration, a first battery module is removably coupled to the chassis and configured to provide the electrical energy to the electromagnetic device, and in a second configuration, the first battery module is removed from the chassis and replaced with a second battery module, the second battery module removably coupled to the chassis and configured to provide the electrical energy to the electromagnetic device.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an electric generator, a drive motor, a power storage device, a power consuming device, and a controller. The controller is configured to control driving of the power consuming device. The controller is configured to execute power consumption increasing control when a vehicle power balance value is larger than a first threshold while the drive motor operates in a braking-period power generation mode.

Abstract: Disclosed are battery systems for powering a laser weapon, and methods of thereof. A system includes a battery bank comprising a plurality of cylindrical battery cells electrically connected in series and parallel to form a plurality of modules, wherein an air flow path through each module defined by a spacing between a surface of each battery cell and its neighboring battery cell. Furthermore a control system is configured to provide cooling via airflow from the one or more fans to temperature control the battery modules to prevent the temperature difference between a first side of the battery module and a second side of the battery module from rising above a predetermined threshold while the laser weapon is active and consuming energy from the battery bank.

Abstract: A vehicle comprising: a fuel store (104) configured to store a fuel, the fuel comprising a hydrocarbon; a fuel reformer (108) coupled to the fuel store (104) and configured to: receive an input comprising the hydrocarbon; and process the received input to produce an output comprising hydrogen; and a fuel cell (112) coupled to the fuel reformer (108) and configured to: receive the hydrogen from the fuel reformer (108); and produce, using the received hydrogen, electricity for use on the vehicle.

Abstract: A mounting structure for a drive device includes: a power generation unit having an engine and a generator driven by the engine to generate electric power; and a drive unit having a motor for traveling and a power transmission mechanism that outputs torque from the motor toward a driving wheel. A frame member of a vehicle body is provided inside an engine compartment. The power generation unit and the drive unit are arranged, inside the engine compartment, side by side in a width direction of a vehicle so as not to contact each other, and are each connected to the frame member via a mount member. Portions of the power generation unit and the drive unit, which are close to each other in the width direction, are connected by a connecting member having an anti-vibration elastic body.

Abstract: An engine control device includes a processor configured to execute a fuel injection control including: a first fuel injection processing for injecting an amount of fuel according to a first intake air amount based on an intake air flow rate detected by an air flow sensor; and a second fuel injection processing for injecting an amount of fuel according to a second intake air amount based on a throttle opening degree detected by a throttle position sensor. The processor selects the first fuel injection processing when a pulsation rate of the intake air flow rate is equal to or lower than a pulsation rate threshold value, and selects the second fuel injection processing when the pulsation rate is higher than the pulsation rate threshold value. The pulsation rate threshold value is smaller when a temperature correlation value is low than when the temperature correlation value is high.

Abstract: A controller for a switched reluctance motor, which includes a rotor, a stator, and coils wound around the stator and which is mounted on a vehicle as a traveling drive source, the controller including: a control unit performing regenerative control to apply a positive voltage and a negative voltage to the coils so that a current value of the coils becomes a first target current value in a predetermined regenerative region. Further, when the battery charge state value is a predetermined value or more, the control unit reduces a section where a negative voltage is applied to the coils to be narrower than that in a case where a battery charge state value is less than the predetermined value.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of movable charging vehicles, and specifically provides a start locking system for a movable charging vehicle. The invention aims to overcome the defect that the movable charging vehicle can still be started and moved during the being charging and charging of an onboard energy storage system. The start locking system of the invention comprises: a start loop, the movable charging vehicle being able to start when the start loop is switched on; and a first detection element for identifying whether an onboard energy storage system is able to enter an operating state, with the first detection element accessing the start loop, wherein the first detection element disconnects the start loop when the onboard energy storage system is able to enter an operating state.

Abstract: A vehicle incorporates a gravity-assist energy harvesting suspension system including one or more gravitational positive displacement pumps. The positive displacement pump has a cylinder and a reciprocating piston inside the cylinder. The piston is adapted for movement along a compression stroke and an opposite extension stroke in response to a gravitational bounce of the vehicle when in motion. A turbine comprising a rotor shaft and attached blades is mounted relative to a distal end of a fluid outlet hose connected to the pump. Fluid discharged through the outlet hose acts on the blades, thereby moving and imparting rotational energy to the rotor shaft. A generator is operatively connected to the turbine, and is adapted for converting the rotational energy generated by the rotor shaft to electrical energy.

Abstract: A relay (25) connects and disconnects an electrical circuit to which an inverter (16) and an electricity storage device (19) are connected. A BCU (22) controls the electricity storage device (19). An HC (27) controls an electric motor (15), the inverter (16) and the BCU (22). The HC (27) and the BCU (22) respectively have FET switches (30, 31) for controlling supply and stop of the excitation current in the relay (25). When the electricity storage device (19) is determined to be in an abnormal state, the BCU (22) transmits an abnormal signal to the HC (27), and when a predetermined time has elapsed, turns off (opens) the first FET switch (30) of the BCU (22). The HC (27) executes stop processing based upon the abnormal signal received from the BCU (22) and then turns off (opens) the second FET switch (31) of the HC (27).

Abstract: A reduction drive including an electric motor disposed in a housing and driving a motor shaft, a Hall Effect sensor adjacent to the motor, a power and control module, and a pinion gear in the housing and driven by the motor shaft. A planetary gear reduction assembly includes a first ring gear rotatably disposed in the housing and driven by the pinion gear, a sun gear engaged to and driven by the first ring gear, a second ring gear non-rotatably fixed to a housing surface, and a plurality of planet gears mounted on a carrier assembly, each planet gear rotating with the sun gear, and on the second ring gear. An output axle is driven by the carrier assembly and has an axis of rotation that is offset from and parallel to the motor shaft axis of rotation.

Abstract: A control device comprising an electric power supply control part controlling a supply of electric power to a rotary electrical machine so as to use the output electric power of a second battery to make up for insufficient output electric power of a first battery when driving a vehicle by just drive power of the rotary electrical machine and a startup preparation starting part starting a supply of electric power to the catalyst device to start preparation for startup of the internal combustion engine if driving a vehicle by just drive power of the rotary electrical machine and the state of charge of the second battery becomes less than the state of charge for preparation for startup. The startup preparation starting part is configured to increase the state of charge for preparation for startup when the maximum output electric power of the first battery calculated based on the state of the first battery is small compared to if it is large.

Abstract: A method of controlling a range extender of an electric vehicle comprises using actual measured or modelled pollution levels dynamically to set a target state of charge level for a range extender of an electric vehicle at a particular location.

Abstract: A method and device for controlling output power in a primary frequency modulation process of a wind turbine are provided by the present disclosure. The method includes predicting a rotational speed of the wind turbine; determining frequency modulation remaining time based on the predicted rotational speed, the frequency modulation remaining time being time for which the wind turbine is able to continue to output frequency modulation power as the output power used for the primary frequency modulation without affecting a recovery of the wind turbine after the primary frequency modulation; controlling the output power based on the determined frequency modulation remaining time.

Abstract: A power interface (14) connected to an ultra capacitor (16), a power source (18), and a load (20), with a controller (22) for managing the power interface (14), and monitoring the ultra capacitor (16), power source (18), and demands of the load (20) attached thereto. The power interface (12) selectively switches the circuit between the ultra capacitor (16) and the power source (18), and between the load (20) in response to the level of demand of the load (20) attached thereto such that the ultra capacitor (16) powers peak demand and the power source (18) powers steady demand.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a battery pack heating apparatus. The battery pack heating apparatus is applicable portably and externally to a vehicle and includes: an electrical energy conversion component, including an energy storage device, a first set of switches and a second set of switches; a heating interface component including a plurality of heating interfaces connected to the energy storage device via the first set of switches to form a first heating loop and connected to the energy storage device via the second set of switches to form a second heating loop, each of the plurality of heating interfaces being configured to be connected to a battery pack of one vehicle; and a heating control module configured to control a direction of electrical energy transfer between the electrical energy conversion component and the battery pack.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for vehicle battery charge reduction. A hybrid electric vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle comprises an internal combustion engine; an electric motor; a battery electrically coupled to the electric motor; a battery charger electrically coupled to the battery and mechanically coupled to the internal combustion engine; one or more sensors, wherein each sensor provides a respective sensor signal, wherein each sensor signal represents a respective current operating condition of the hybrid electric vehicle; and a computing component configured to: perform a first comparison of a state-of-charge of the battery to a charge threshold, perform a second comparison of one or more of the current vehicle operating conditions to respective nominal vehicle operating conditions, wherein none of the vehicle operating conditions describe a condition of the battery, and reduce charging of the battery based on the first comparison and the second comparison.

Abstract: A parallel hybrid power transmission mechanism includes a crank shaft, a driven device to which a power of an engine and/or a motor generator is transmitted, an input shaft disposed on the driven device, a flywheel connected to the crank shaft, and a rotor disposed on the motor generator, including a first connecting portion connected to an outside of the flywheel. The rotor is configured to supply and receive a rotational power to and from the flywheel through the first connecting portion. The parallel hybrid power transmission mechanism further includes a coupling arranged independently from the rotor, including a second connecting portion connected to an inside of the flywheel, the coupling being configured to receive the rotational power of the flywheel through the second connecting portion, and an intermediate shaft connecting the coupling and the input shaft to each other, the intermediate shaft being configured to transmit the rotational power received by the coupling to the input shaft.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicle having a first wheel (101) arranged to be driven by a first drive source and a second wheel (101) arranged to be driven by a second drive source, wherein the first wheel and the second wheel are transversely located on the vehicle, the control system comprising a controller (102) and a monitoring device, wherein the monitoring device is arranged to monitor the power differential between the power being applied to the first wheel by the first drive source and the power being applied to the second wheel by the second drive source, wherein upon a determination that the power differential between the power being applied to the first wheel and the second wheel is greater than a predetermined value, the controller is arranged to reduce the power differential.

Abstract: A system including a closed cycle engine having a piston body defining a hot side and a cold side and having a piston assembly movable within the piston body. An electric machine is operatively coupled with the piston assembly. A control system includes one or more sensors operable to detect a piston movement characteristic of the piston assembly movable within the piston body. A controller is communicatively coupled with the one or more sensors and a controllable device. The controller is configured to determine a control command based at least in part on data received from the one or more sensors. The control command is selected based at least in part to cause the electric machine operatively coupled with the piston assembly to generate a preselected electrical power output. The controller provides the determined control command to the controllable device. The controllable device is operable to control an input to an engine working fluid disposed within the piston body.

Abstract: A modular military vehicle and a method for using a modular military vehicle is disclosed. The modular military vehicle can comprise a vehicle hull; a crew module removably mounted to the vehicle hull; a plurality of wheels mounted to the vehicle hull, the plurality of wheels comprising at least one driven wheel; and an electric drive system configured to drive the at least one driven wheel.

Abstract: A powertrain control system may include an engine and a controller. The controller may be configured to, responsive to a maximum difference in battery voltage values remaining less than a threshold value during a period in which a number of engine stop-start cycles exceeds a limit, enable an automatic stop-start system of the engine.

Abstract: An air conditioner for a vehicle includes a cooling water circuit and a heater. The cooling water circuit allows a cooling water to circulate between an engine and a heater core in a heating operation. The engine is a power source of the vehicle. The heater core is configured to heat air using a heat of the cooling water. The heater is located downstream of the engine and upstream of the heater core in the cooling water circuit and is configured to heat the cooling water.

Abstract: A control device for a vehicle comprised of an electric power supply control part controlling the supply of electric power to electrical equipment and an electric power transfer control part controlling the transfer of electric power between a first battery and a second battery. The electric power supply control part supplies the electric power of the second battery to a catalyst device if the electric power which can be output by the first battery is smaller than the total demanded output electric power of the electrical equipment and a need arises to supply electric power to the catalyst device so as to warm up the catalyst device.

Abstract: A utility vehicle having operator selectable onboard and remote controls also includes a prime mover and a power generating device driven thereby, first and second electric wheel motors, and a drive controller in communication with the wheel motors to control the output thereof and in communication with the onboard controls. A radio control receiver is in communication with the drive controller and with a radio control transmitter having steering and speed controls. The vehicle includes a control mode switch having a first position where the drive controller receives steering and speed control inputs from the onboard controls, and a second position where the drive controller receives steering and speed control inputs from the radio control transmitter.

Abstract: A tracked all-terrain vehicle is shown which includes an internal combustion engine, an electric generator, and a plurality of electric motors which drive movement of the tracks of the tracked all-terrain vehicle.

Abstract: An integrated fuel cell and engine combustor assembly includes an engine combustor having a combustion chamber fluidly coupled with a compressor and a turbine. The assembly also includes a fuel cell stack circumferentially extending around the combustion chamber of the combustor. The fuel cell stack includes fuel cells configured to generate electric current. The fuel cell stack is positioned to receive discharged air from the compressor and fuel from a fuel manifold. The fuel cells in the fuel cell stack generate electric current using the discharged air and at least some of the fuel. The fuel cell stack is positioned to radially direct partially oxidized fuel from the fuel cells into the combustion chamber of the combustor. The combustor combusts the partially oxidized fuel into one or more gaseous combustion products that are directed into and drive the downstream turbine.

Abstract: A vehicle incorporates a gravity-assist energy harvesting suspension system including one or more gravitational positive displacement pumps. The positive displacement pump has a cylinder and a reciprocating piston inside the cylinder. The piston is adapted for movement along a compression stroke and an opposite extension stroke in response to a gravitational bounce of the vehicle when in motion. A turbine comprising a rotor shaft and attached blades is mounted relative to a distal end of a fluid outlet hose connected to the pump. Fluid discharged through the outlet hose acts on the blades, thereby moving and imparting rotational energy to the rotor shaft. A generator is operatively connected to the turbine, and is adapted for converting the rotational energy generated by the rotor shaft to electrical energy.

Abstract: A drive system of a hybrid vehicle including an internal combustion engine, a first motor-generator, a power transmission path, a power division mechanism, a second motor-generator, a one-way clutch, a mode change mechanism, and an electronic control unit having a microprocessor and memory. The microprocessor is configured to control the first motor-generator so as to reduce a reaction force acting on the first motor-generator at a time at which a state of the one-way clutch changes from an unlocked state to a locked state, when a drive mode is changed from an EV mode to a HV mode through a start mode by the mode change mechanism.

Abstract: A battery system includes a battery module, a thermal management system, and a battery system controller. The controller is configured to receive data indicative of first operational conditions of the battery module and of second operational conditions of the thermal management system, determine a desired change to the first operational conditions of the battery module by determining an amount of power available to the thermal management system and to the battery module from one or more power sources, and to enable, to effect the desired change to the first operational conditions, the one or more power sources to provide a first quantity of power to the thermal management system and a second quantity of power to the battery module, and the thermal management system to heat or to cool the battery module to a calculated extent.

Abstract: An electrical power system for an aircraft may comprise a hybrid energy storage system, a first high voltage bus coupled to an input of said hybrid energy storage system, a second high voltage bus coupled to an output of said hybrid energy storage system, and a directed energy system coupled to the second high voltage bus. The hybrid energy storage system receives DC power via the input from said first high voltage bus, converts the DC power to a converted DC power, and dynamically stores the converted DC power and/or provides said converted DC power via said output to said directed energy system via the second high voltage bus.

Abstract: A track-type tractor includes a frame housing defining an internal cavity extending to an outer bore, an electric motor module, and a final drive assembly. The electric motor module includes a motor housing having a flanged end portion, and a rotor shaft extending through the flanged end portion. The flanged end portion is mounted to a outer mounting surface of the frame housing surrounding the outer bore, such that the electric motor module extends through the outer bore and is retained within the frame housing internal cavity. The final drive assembly is mounted to the flanged end portion and includes a gear set in operative engagement with the rotor shaft for motorized operation of the final drive assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle incorporates a gravity-assist energy harvesting suspension system including one or more gravitational positive displacement pumps. The positive displacement pump has a cylinder and a reciprocating piston inside the cylinder. The piston is adapted for movement along a compression stroke and an opposite extension stroke in response to a gravitational bounce of the vehicle when in motion. A turbine comprising a rotor shaft and attached blades is mounted relative to a distal end of a fluid outlet hose connected to the pump. Fluid discharged through the outlet hose acts on the blades, thereby moving and imparting rotational energy to the rotor shaft. A generator is operatively connected to the turbine, and is adapted for converting the rotational energy generated by the rotor shaft to electrical energy.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a power generating device having a combustion engine, in particular a gas motor or a gas turbine, and an energy accumulator. The combustion engine and the energy accumulator are electrically coupled together. The combustion engine can be operated in accordance with a first estimated value and in accordance with a second estimated value.

Abstract: A kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) for a machine having a swing motor and/or an actuator includes a hydraulic motor/pump that can output pressurized fluid for operating at least one of: the swing motor and the actuator. A first shaft of the hydraulic motor/pump can be rotated by fluid returning from at least one of: the swing motor and the actuator back to the hydraulic motor/pump. Further, the KERS also includes a flywheel that can selectively couple with the first shaft with the help of a first clutch. The flywheel stores drive power generated by the hydraulic motor/pump from the return flow of fluid when the first clutch couples the flywheel with the first shaft of the hydraulic motor/pump. A gearing arrangement is coupled to the flywheel and can selectively engage with a second shaft associated with a prime mover of the machine with the help of a second clutch.

Abstract: A system includes a first controller configured to control a gas turbine to operate at a constant speed set point and a variable torque output to drive a generator. A DC to DC converter may operate as a load on a power source bus supplied by the generator. A second controller may limit a rate of change of the DC output power of the DC to DC converter during intermittent supply of a transient step change load subsequent to receipt of a transient load control signal. The transient load control signal is anticipatory of application of the transient step change load to the load bus. The rate of change is limited by the second controller to maintain the variable torque of the gas turbine below a predetermined threshold as a load ramp rate of the DC to DC converter changes on the power source bus.

Abstract: A computer is programmed to upon determining that a battery charge level of a battery of a vehicle is below a first threshold, determine a first fuel quantity for an engine to charge the battery to a second threshold; and actuate a vehicle component according to the first fuel quantity. The computer may transmit a message specifying a second fuel quantity that is a sum of a preset fuel quantity and the first fuel quantity. The computer may, upon determining that an ambient temperature is below a temperature threshold, provide an instruction to the engine to charge the battery to the second threshold.

Abstract: The radio access system (1) for the communication network includes a radio transceiver (2), a device for connecting to an electrical grid (6), an electrical energy production device (4) and a battery (5) for storing electrical energy produced by said production device (4) and for electrically powering the radio transceiver (2). According to the invention, a control device (100) determines an operating strategy for the battery (5) by optimizing an objective function (O) that associates a cost with a possible operating strategy for the battery (5) during a period of determined duration T and while respecting at least one constraint for protecting the battery (5) against accelerated ageing, and manages the incoming and outgoing flows of electrical energy of the battery (5) depending on the determined operating strategy.

Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes an engine and electric machine each configured to propel the vehicle, and a controller configured to, responsive to a resistance of a traction battery and a change in the resistance during battery discharge being greater than respective thresholds, reduce power to the electric machine and activate the engine.

Abstract: A control device for performing start assist control for an internal combustion engine includes: a first start assist processing unit that executes a first start assist process that brings a first engagement device into slip engagement at a first engagement pressure while increasing a torque generated by a rotating electrical machine; and a second start assist processing unit that increases, when the first start assist process fails to start the internal combustion engine, an engagement pressure of the first engagement device to a second engagement pressure higher than the first engagement pressure while increasing the torque generated by the rotating electrical machine. The second start assist processing unit determines the second engagement pressure on the basis of a rotational speed of the internal combustion engine in the first start assist process.

Abstract: A compact generator and coolant pump assembly may be used on a vehicle having a fluid reservoir and a plurality of electrical components disposed on the vehicle. The generator includes a rotor and stator disposed in a housing and the rotor is driven by a rotatable input member to generate an electrical output for use by one or more components of the vehicle. The assembly also includes a circulating pump connected to an upper portion of a generator housing and driven by the rotatable input member. A clutch assembly driven by the rotatable input member and engaged to and driving a clutch output may be located adjacent to the lower housing of the generator.

Abstract: There is provided a carrier that fits on a motor vehicle and receives a small vehicle. The carrier includes a console on which the small vehicle can be arranged. According to the disclosure, the carrier also includes a carrier coupling component that is constructed to be connected in a positive-locking manner to a small vehicle coupling component of the small vehicle, above the console. The motor vehicle having the carrier and the small vehicle forms a mobility unit according to the disclosure.

Abstract: A method is for energy management in a hybrid motor vehicle that includes a power plant coupled with wheels of the vehicle via a transmission according to at least two modes, one of which is currently in use. The method includes determining a quantity of energy representing energy consumption of the power plant and selecting one of the transmission modes according to the quantity of energy. The selecting includes determining a parameter representing an imminent change in torque demand at the wheels, determining a correction factor of the quantity of energy according to the transmission mode currently in use and according to the parameter which represents an imminent change in torque demand, determining a corrected quantity of energy equal to the sum of the quantity of energy plus the correction factor, and selecting the transmission mode in order to minimize the corrected quantity of energy.