Electric vehicle driving range optimization system with dynamic feedback

A method of providing range optimization aid to a driver of an electric vehicle, wherein said electric vehicle is comprised of a battery pack coupled to an electric drive train, said method comprising:

• monitoring a current battery pack charge level;
• determining a current driving range based on said current battery pack charge level and a predefined set of battery drainage rules;
• determining a first battery pack drain due to operation of said electric drive train;
• determining a second battery pack drain due to operation of at least one user controllable auxiliary system, wherein said at least one user controllable auxiliary system is electrically coupled to said battery pack;
• modifying said current driving range to yield a modified driving range, wherein said modifying step is based on said first battery pack drain and said second battery pack drain;
• displaying said modified driving range on a display, wherein said display is mounted within said electric vehicle;
• accepting a travel destination, wherein said travel destination is accepted by a system controller of said electric vehicle;
• determining a current vehicle location, wherein said current vehicle location is determined by said system controller;
• calculating a distance between said travel destination and said current vehicle location, wherein said step of calculating said distance is performed by said system controller;
• adding a safety margin to said distance to yield a modified travel distance, wherein said step of adding said safety margin is performed by said system controller;
• comparing said modified travel distance to said modified driving range, wherein said step of comparing said modified travel distance is performed by said system controller;
• determining a recommendation for adjusting a current vehicle condition to obtain an increased driving range, wherein said step of determining said recommendation is performed by said system controller of said electric vehicle when said modified travel distance becomes greater than said modified driving range;
• and
• communicating said recommendation to said driver of said electric vehicle, wherein said step of communicating said recommendation is performed by said system controller when said modified travel distance becomes greater than said modified driving range.