Hybrid vehicle and process for operating a hybrid vehicle

A process for operating a hybrid drive of a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

• a. inputting current vehicle parameters to a computer connected to a vehicular navigation system, said parameters including a fuel supply level and a charge level of an electric energy storage device;
• b. inputting a desired destination into the computer;
• c. calculating a route using the vehicular navigation system including topographical data about the route and calculating an expected travel time for traveling the route to the desired destination assuming that an internal combustion engine (ICE) and an electric motor of the hybrid drive are substantially used equally during the route;
• d. displaying the expected travel time;
• e. determining whether the expected travel time is amenable;
• and
• f. adjusting the relative use of the ICE and the electric motor during the route to meet and amenable travel time if the expected travel time is determined not to be amenable in step e. and repeating the calculation of step c. using the adjusted use of the ICE and the electric motor;
• and
• g. establishing charging cycles for the energy storage device by the internal combustion engine during portions of the route, excluding periods of uphill travel, before beginning travel on said route.