Can Infotronics Enable Competitiveness of Electric Drive Vehicles

In this paper, the author looks at how the knowledge of journey time and energy requirements, which can be considered as products of a telematics system, could offer a substantial advantage to hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) over conventional internal combustion engine vehicles. The author gives an overview of HEVs, looking at control policies and limitations. Predicting journeys and making use of these predictions are then examined. The author concludes with a look at how powertrain costs can be optimized, thus allowing for the possibility of creating a competitive edge for HEVs.