System and method for reducing fuel consumption in a vehicle

A drive system for a vehicle, comprising:

• an engine;
• an alternator coupled to the engine, the alternator being configured to power at least one auxiliary load;
• a traction motor system operatively coupled to drive wheels of the vehicle, the traction motor system being configured for receiving primary electrical power from the alternator and for propelling the vehicle in response to the primary electrical power;
• and
• a three-phase inverter/rectifier electrically connected to the traction motor system and to the alternator, the inverter/rectifier being configured to receive electrical power from the traction motor system in a dynamic braking mode of operation of the traction motor system and to feed the electrical power to the alternator as torque to reduce engine load.

A method, comprising the steps of:

• generating primary electrical power at an alternator connected to an engine;
• operating a traction motor coupled in driving relationship to a wheel of a vehicle to propel the vehicle during a propel mode of operation and to generate electricity during a dynamic braking mode of operation, wherein in the propel mode of operation the primary electrical power is transmitted to the traction motor to power the motor;
• and
• utilizing the electricity generated during the dynamic braking mode of operation to offset an auxiliary engine load to decrease fuel consumption of the vehicle.