Systems and methods for adjusting kinetic energy in a hybrid vehicle before and during a change in road grade

A hybrid electric vehicle comprising:

• traction wheels;
• a regenerative braking system configured to provide regenerative braking torque to the traction wheels;
• wheel brakes configured to provide friction braking torque to the traction wheels;
• and
• an automated speed control system configured to control vehicle power and braking requests for the regenerative braking system and wheel brakes to maintain a target speed and to, in response to an anticipated change in power demand for maintaining the target speed based on a detected upcoming change in road grade, automatically alter a current vehicle speed away from the target speed prior to arriving at the change in road grade to maintain electric-only mode operation through the change in road grade.