System and method for improved battery pre-charge and deactivation timing in traffic

A hybrid vehicle having an engine, a motor/generator, and a battery, the hybrid vehicle comprising:

• a GPS unit configured to detect a current location;
• a network access device configured to receive traffic data from a remote data server, the traffic data including locations and vehicle speeds at the locations;
• a navigation unit connected to the GPS unit and configured to determine a route to a destination and determine whether a slowdown in vehicle speed is upcoming along the route based on the traffic data;
• a speed sensor configured to detect a current speed;
• a battery sensor configured to detect a current state of charge of the battery;
• and
• an electronic control unit connected to the navigation unit, the speed sensor, and the battery sensor, the electronic control unit configured to:
• activate a pre-charge mode when the navigation unit detects an upcoming slowdown in vehicle speed, the pre-charge mode causing the engine to charge the battery via the motor/generator, and
• deactivate the pre-charge mode to prevent charging of the battery by the engine when the detected current speed is below a speed threshold for a set period of time or distance.

A method for managing energy efficiency of a vehicle having an engine, a motor/generator, and a battery, the method comprising:

• detecting, by a GPS unit, a current location of the vehicle;
• receiving, by a network access device, traffic data from a remote data server, the traffic data including locations and vehicle speeds at the locations;
• determining, by a navigation unit connected to the GPS unit, a route to a destination and determine whether a slowdown in vehicle speed is upcoming along the route based on the traffic data;
• detecting, by a speed sensor, a current speed of the vehicle;
• detecting, by a battery sensor, a current state of charge of the battery;
• activating, by an electronic control unit, a pre-charge mode when the upcoming slowdown in vehicle speed is determined by the navigation unit, the pre-charge mode causing the engine to charge the battery via the motor/generator;
• and
• deactivating, by the electronic control unit, the pre-charge mode to prevent charging of the battery by the engine when the detected current speed of the vehicle is below a speed threshold for a set period of time or distance.