Hybrid vehicle with low power battery

A vehicle system comprising:

• a motor/generator;
• a battery having a C-rate less than 0.9 C;
• power electronics operatively coupled with the motor/generator and the battery and structured to selectably convert AC electrical power output by the motor/generator to DC power and convert DC power output by the battery to AC power;
• an electronic control system operatively coupled with the motor generator, the battery, and the power electronics, the electronic control system configured to:
• enter into a line haul hybrid operating mode in response to a determination of uneven terrain involving repeated uphill and downhill operation of the vehicle system,
• during uphill operation of the vehicle system in the line haul hybrid operating mode, control the power electronics to convert power discharged from the battery to operate the motor/generator to output mechanical power,
• during downhill operation of the vehicle system in the line haul hybrid operating mode, control the power electronics to charge the battery with power provided by motor/generator, and
• control the discharging and charging of the battery in the line haul hybrid operating mode to a rate equal to or less than the C-rate of the battery.

A method comprising:

• providing a vehicle system including a motor/generator, a battery having a C-rate less than 0.9 C, power electronics operatively coupled with the motor/generator and the battery and structured to selectably convert AC electrical power output by the motor/generator to DC power and convert DC power output by the battery to AC power, and an electronic control system operatively coupled with the motor generator, the battery, and the power electronics;
• initiating a line haul hybrid operating mode in response to a determination by the electronic control system of uneven terrain involving repeated uphill and downhill operation of the vehicle system,
• operating the power electronics during uphill operation of the vehicle system to drive the motor/generator to output mechanical power using power discharged from the battery,
• operating the power electronics during downhill operation of the vehicle system to charge the battery using power provided by motor/generator, and
• controlling the discharging and charging of the battery to a rate equal to or less than the C-rate of the battery.

An apparatus comprising:

• a non-transitory memory medium configured with instructions executable by an electronic control system to operate a vehicle system including a motor/generator, a battery having a C-rate less than 0.9 C, power electronics operatively coupled with the motor/generator and the battery and structured to selectably convert AC electrical power output by the motor/generator to DC power and convert DC power output by the battery to AC power, wherein the instructions are executable by the electronic control system to:
• enter into a line haul hybrid operating mode in response to a determination of uneven terrain involving repeated uphill and downhill operation of the vehicle system,
• during uphill operation of the vehicle system in the line haul hybrid operating mode, control the power electronics to convert power discharged from the battery to operate the motor/generator to output mechanical power,
• during downhill operation of the vehicle system in the line haul hybrid operating mode, control the power electronics to charge the battery with power provided by motor/generator, and
• control the discharging and charging of the battery in the line haul hybrid operating mode to a rate equal to or less than the C-rate of the battery.