Thermal management system with dual mode coolant loops

A method of managing thermal loads within an electric vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

• selecting between a first mode and a second mode of circulating a coolant through a drive train coolant loop and a battery system coolant loop,
• wherein in said first mode, the method further comprises the steps of:
• circulating said coolant through said drive train coolant loop, said drive train coolant loop in thermal communication with at least one drive train component, wherein said drive train coolant loop is coupled to a coolant reservoir;
• and
• circulating said coolant through said battery system coolant loop, said battery system coolant loop in thermal communication with a battery system, wherein said step of circulating said coolant through said battery system coolant loop is performed in parallel with said step of circulating said coolant through said drive train coolant loop, and wherein said battery system coolant loop is not coupled to said coolant reservoir;
• and
• wherein in said second mode, the method further comprises the steps of:
• serially circulating said coolant through said drive train coolant loop and said battery system coolant loop, wherein said drive train coolant loop and said battery system coolant loop are both coupled to said coolant reservoir.