System and method for operating a vehicle having a hybrid powertrain

A method of applying boost to a vehicle having a hybrid powertrain, the method comprising the steps of:

• detecting, by a controller within the hybrid vehicle, a triggering event, the hybrid vehicle comprising a hybrid powertrain including:
• a motor-generator unit,
• a battery electrically connected to a motor-generator unit,
• an engine, and
• a transmission engageably connected to the engine and the motor-generator unit, the transmission having a plurality of gears;
• determining, by the controller, if a boost has been enabled;
• determining, by the controller, a state of charge of the battery;
• determining, by the controller, an amount of excess motor torque or power available from the motor-generator unit;
• and
• applying additional motor torque to the powertrain when (1) at least one triggering event has occurred, (2) the boost has been enable, (3) the state of charge of the battery is above a specified threshold, and (4) excess motor torque or power from the motor-generator unit is available.

A hybrid powertrain for a heavy vehicle, the hybrid powertrain comprising:

• a motor-generator unit;
• a battery electrically connected to a motor-generator unit;
• an engine;
• a transmission engageably connected to the engine and the motor-generator unit;
• and
• a controller, wherein the controller is configured to (1) detect if a triggering event has occurred, (2) determine if a boost drive mode has been enabled, (3) determine a state of charge of the battery, and (4) determine an amount of excess motor torque available, and
• wherein the controller is configured to signal the motor-generator unit to apply additional motor torque to the powertrain when (1) the triggering event has occurred, (2) the boost drive mode has been enable, (3) the state of charge of the battery is above a specified threshold, and (4) excess power from the motor-generator unit is available.