Automated vehicle integration of battery string

A vehicle comprising:

• a vehicle battery system including a plurality of battery strings electrically connected to a high-voltage bus;
• a communication bus communicatively coupled to each of the plurality of battery strings;
• a new battery string physically mounted to the vehicle and communicatively connected to the communication bus;
• a controller of the vehicle communicatively connected to the new battery string, the controller being configured to execute instructions to:
• detect presence of the new battery string on the communication bus, the new battery string being electrically disconnected from a high-voltage bus of the battery-electric vehicle;
• monitor, during operation of the vehicle, a first electrical characteristic of the vehicle battery system and a second electrical characteristic of the new battery string;
• determine, via the controller, an integration window based on the first electrical characteristic and the second electrical characteristic, the integration window corresponding to a time during operation of the vehicle in which a difference between the first electrical characteristic and the second electrical characteristic satisfies an integration threshold;
• and
• transmit, from the controller to the new battery string, a request to actuate contactors of the new battery string during the integration window to connect the new battery string to the high-voltage bus and incorporate the new battery string into the battery system.

A method of integrating a battery string into a vehicle battery system during vehicle operation, the method comprising:

• at a vehicle service location, physically installing a new battery string into a vehicle irrespective of misalignment between a first electrical characteristic of the vehicle battery system and a second electrical characteristic of the new battery string, the new battery string remaining electrically disconnected from a high-voltage bus of the battery-electric vehicle;
• operating the vehicle, after physically installing the new battery string, in accordance with a battery capacity of the vehicle battery system excluding the new battery string, until an integration window is detected by a controller of the vehicle, wherein:
• the integration window is based on similarity of the first electrical characteristic and the second electrical characteristic and corresponds to a time during operation of the vehicle in which the first electrical characteristic and the second electrical characteristic are aligned, and
• during the integration window, a controller of the vehicle sends a message to electrically connect the new battery string to the high-voltage bus;
• and
• after the new battery string is connected to the high-voltage bus, continuing operation of the vehicle in accordance with an updated battery capacity of the vehicle battery system including the new battery string.