Conversion kit for a hybrid electric drive vehicle

A method for converting a hydrocarbon fuel drive vehicle into a Hybrid Electric Drive Vehicle (the converted vehicle), and for operating the converted vehicle in a manner to minimize hydrocarbon fuel consumption while providing required vehicle performance, the method comprising the acts of:

• a. removing conventional hydrocarbon fuel powered mechanical drive system components from a target vehicle, the mechanical drive system components comprising an old transmission system, an old battery system;
• b replacing the removed mechanical drive system components with a two motor electrical generator and drive motor system coupled to an engine, a battery system and a differential for driving one or more wheels of the target vehicle and maintaining a charge in the battery system, the two motor electrical generator and drive motor system having an overall weight equal to or less than a weight of the conventional hydrocarbon fuel powered mechanical drive system components being replaced by the two motor electrical generator and drive motor system;
• c. installing a Vehicle Control Unit (VCU) comprising a central processing unit (CPU), a memory and electronic connections to the engine, the battery system, and the two motor electrical generator and drive motor system, the VCU further comprising a Start-up/Shut-down Processor for determining Historical Route Data and operating parameter settings for the engine, the battery system, and the two motor electrical generator and drive motor system of the Hybrid Electric Drive Vehicle;
• and
• d. using the VCU to monitor performance of, to issue commands to and to calculate power required by the engine, the battery system, and the two motor electrical generator and drive motor system of the Hybrid Electric Drive Vehicle based upon the determined Historical Route Data and operating parameter settings;
• e. whereby hydrocarbon fuel consumption in the Hybrid Electric Drive vehicle is minimized with respect to distance and time traveled and vehicle performance is not impaired.