Method of operating a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle

A method of operating a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle having a purely electric mode of operation, wherein at least one electric motor and battery cooperate to provide driving force to the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, and a hybrid mode of operation, wherein an internal combustion engine is employed to charge the battery and/or provide driving force to the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, the method comprising:

• operating the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle in the purely electric mode of operation;
• monitoring the battery to determine a state of charge;
• determining if the internal combustion engine will be commanded to start within a predetermined amount of time;
• and
• performing at least one of heating the internal combustion engine by communicating heated engine coolant contained within a selectively dischargeable insulated container and energizing a catalyst heater to heat a catalyst mounted with respect to the internal combustion engine by discharging a selectively dischargeable energy storage device, if the internal combustion engine will be commanded to start within said predetermined amount of time.

A method of operating a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle comprising:

• determining whether an umbilical cord of the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is plugged into an external power source;
• energizing at least one of a hybrid vehicle controller, engine controller, and high voltage battery controller if said umbilical cord of the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is plugged into said external power source;
• disabling the operation of the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle and executing a thermal program if said umbilical cord of the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is plugged into said external power source;
• wherein said thermal program includes charging a high voltage battery and monitoring the state of charge of said high voltage battery;
• determining if said umbilical cord of the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle remains plugged into said external power source;
• and
• enabling operation of the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle if said umbilical cord of the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is unplugged from said external power source.