Control device and storage medium

Abstract

Provided are a control device and a storage medium capable of preventing an adverse condition from occurring in a vehicle-mounted storage battery due to expansion accompanying deterioration. The control device is a control device for an electric vehicle on which a driving storage battery package is mounted, the driving storage battery package having a storage battery case that houses a plurality of storage battery cells in a stacked state and is capable of charging the plurality of storage battery cells by an external power source, wherein the control device includes: an acquisition unit that acquires an index value related to deterioration of the plurality of storage battery cells; and a processing unit that, in a case where the index value reaches a first threshold value, performs processing for prohibiting charging of the driving storage battery package from the external power source.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a control device and a storage medium. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, interest in electric vehicles (EVs) has been growing to reduce CO2 emissions from the perspective of climate-related disasters. These vehicles use high-capacity batteries such as lithium-ion secondary batteries and all-solid-state batteries. The cells that make up the battery are organized into modules, for example. These modules are held together by modular structural members and designed to prevent them from falling out even when subjected to external forces such as vibration and impact.

[0003] However, in order to suppress the expansion of the plates in the stacking direction caused by deterioration, this type of battery is sometimes constrained from both sides in the stacking direction by restraints. This is because: when the electrodes are separated due to expansion, the movement distance of ions becomes longer and the performance of the battery is reduced. When the degradation of the battery worsens, the plates inside the cell harden and expand due to the formation of SEI and the cracking of secondary particles, generating a reaction force on the restraints in the stacking direction of the plates. In connection with this, Patent Document 1 records: When the energy density of a prismatic battery cell is increased, the dimensional changes caused by charging, discharging and degradation become larger, so in order to suppress its expansion, it is necessary to restrain the prismatic battery cell with a relatively large force.

[0004] It is known that the reaction force tends to saturate as battery degradation progresses, but this tendency varies from battery to battery. Therefore, if the reaction force does not saturate but continues to rise, stress may concentrate on the cell canister, particularly the cell cover welds and gas discharge valves, causing cracks. Thus, if conventional automotive batteries continue to be used without taking special measures, the expansion associated with degradation may cause problems in the automotive battery.

[0005]

Prior technical literature

[0006] [Patent Literature]

[0007] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2019 / 31170 Summary of the Invention

[0008] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0009] The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and one object of the present invention is to provide a control device and a storage medium that can prevent a malfunction in a vehicle battery caused by expansion associated with degradation from occurring before it occurs.

[0010] Solutions to Problems

[0011] The control device and storage medium of the present invention employ the following structures.

[0012] (1): A control device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a control device for an electric vehicle equipped with a driving battery pack, wherein the driving battery pack has a battery case that accommodates a plurality of battery cells in a stacked state and is capable of charging the plurality of battery cells via an external power supply, wherein the control device comprises: an acquisition unit that acquires an index value related to the deterioration of the plurality of battery cells; and a processing unit that performs processing for prohibiting charging of the driving battery pack from the external power supply when the index value reaches a first threshold value.

[0013] (2): In the above-mentioned aspect (1), the processing unit performs a process for prohibiting charging of the driving battery pack from the external power supply when the index value increases and reaches a first threshold value.

[0014] (3): In the above-mentioned aspect (2), the index value is an internal resistance value of the plurality of battery cells or a reaction force applied by the plurality of battery cells to the restraint device.

[0015] (4): In the above-mentioned scheme (2), a notification control unit is further provided, which causes an information output device capable of outputting information to output first notification information to a passenger on the electric vehicle when the indicator value rises and reaches a first threshold value.

[0016] (5): In the above-mentioned aspect (4), the report control unit causes the information output device to output second notification information when the index value increases and reaches a second threshold value that is a value smaller than the first threshold value.

[0017] (6): In the above-mentioned aspect (1), the processing unit performs a process for prohibiting charging of the driving battery pack from the external power supply when the index value decreases and reaches a first threshold value.

[0018] (7): In the above aspect (6), the index value is a capacity maintenance rate of the plurality of battery cells.

[0019] (8) The above-mentioned solution (6) further includes a notification control unit, which enables an information output device capable of outputting information to output first notification information to passengers on the electric vehicle when the indicator value decreases and reaches a first threshold value.

[0020] (9): In the above-mentioned aspect (8), when the indicator value decreases and reaches a second threshold value which is a value larger than the first threshold value, the report control unit causes the information output device to output second notification information.

[0021] (10): In the above-mentioned scheme (4) or (8), the reporting control unit causes the storage device to pre-store the change of the indicator value, and when it is expected that the indicator value will reach the first threshold after a specified time or after traveling a specified distance based on the change of the indicator value, the information output device outputs the second notification information.

[0022] (11): In the above-mentioned aspect (1), the plurality of battery cells are each a can-shaped prismatic cell, and are stacked in a horizontal direction when mounted on the electric vehicle.

[0023] (12): In the above-mentioned aspect (1), the first threshold value is a value determined based on the structural limit of the battery cell.

[0024] (13): In a program according to another embodiment of the present invention, a driving battery package has a battery housing for accommodating a plurality of battery cells in a stacked state, and the plurality of battery cells can be charged by an external power source. The program causes a control device for an electric vehicle equipped with the driving battery package to perform the following processing: obtaining an index value related to the deterioration of the plurality of battery cells; and performing processing for prohibiting charging of the driving battery package from the external power source when the index value reaches a first threshold value.

[0025] Effects of the Invention

[0026] According to the above-mentioned aspects (1) to (13), it is possible to prevent a malfunction in the vehicle battery caused by expansion accompanying degradation from occurring before it occurs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 1 is a configuration diagram of an electric vehicle M to which a battery control device 70 as an example of a control device is applied.

[0028] Figure 2 It is a structural diagram of the driving battery pack 40 .

[0029] Figure 3 It is a structural diagram of the battery control device 70 .

[0030] Figure 4 This is a diagram for explaining the principle of determining the first threshold value Th1 and the second threshold value Th2.

[0031] Figure 5This is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the battery control device 70 .

[0032] Figure 6 This is a diagram for explaining another example of output control of the second notification information.

[0033] Description of reference numerals:

[0034] 10 motor

[0035] 26 VCU

[0036] 28 Converter

[0037] 40 Driving battery package

[0038] 42 Battery housing

[0039] 44 battery cells

[0040] 50 Charging port

[0041] 52 Connecting the Circuit

[0042] 60 HMI

[0043] 65 Network communication device

[0044] 70 Battery control unit

[0045] 72 Battery status acquisition unit

[0046] 74 Processing Department

[0047] 76 Report Control Department

[0048] 80 Storage

[0049] 82 Indicator value transition information. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] Hereinafter, embodiments of a control device and a storage medium according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of an electric vehicle M that uses a battery control device 70 as an example of a control device. The electric vehicle M is an electric vehicle that exclusively uses the power stored in a drive battery pack 40 for travel. The electric vehicle M includes, for example, a motor 10, a brake system 12, drive wheels 14, a drive control device 20, operating controls 22, vehicle sensors 24, a VUC 26, an inverter 28, the drive battery pack 40, battery sensors 46, a charging port 50, a connection circuit 52, a communication device 54, an HMI (Human Machine Interface) 60, and the battery control device 70.

[0051] The motor 10 is, for example, a three-phase AC motor. The rotor of the motor 10 is connected to the drive wheels 14. The motor 10 uses the supplied electric power to output power to the drive wheels 14. In addition, the motor 10 generates electricity using the kinetic energy of the vehicle when the vehicle decelerates.

[0052] The brake device 12 includes, for example, a brake caliper, a hydraulic cylinder that transmits hydraulic pressure to the caliper, and an electric motor that generates hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic cylinder. The brake device 12 may also include a mechanism that transmits hydraulic pressure generated by operation of the brake pedal to the hydraulic cylinder via a master cylinder as a backup. It should be noted that the brake device 12 is not limited to the structure described above and may also be an electronically controlled hydraulic brake device that transmits hydraulic pressure from the master cylinder to the hydraulic cylinder.

[0053] The drive control device 20 is connected to the driving operating element 22, the vehicle sensor 24, the VCU 26, the inverter 28, and the like. The drive control device 20 includes a hardware processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and controls the braking device 12, the VCU 26, the inverter 28, and the like by executing a program stored in a program memory (not shown).

[0054] The driving operating elements 22 include, for example, an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal. Sensors are attached to the driving operating elements 22 to detect the amount or force of operation of the driving operating elements 22 and output them to the drive control device 20. The vehicle sensors 24 include, for example, a vehicle speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, and a yaw rate sensor. The vehicle sensors 24 output the detection results to the drive control device 20. The VCU 26 is, for example, a DC-DC converter. The VCU 26 boosts the power supplied from the driving battery pack 40 and outputs it to the converter 28. Furthermore, the VCU 26 supplies the power generated by the motor 10 and converted to DC by the converter 28 to the driving battery pack 40. The converter 28 is, for example, an AC-DC converter. The converter 28 converts the power supplied from the VCU 26 into AC and supplies it to the motor 10.

[0055] In the above configuration, the drive control device 20 determines the torque to be output by the motor 10 based on the amount of accelerator pedal operation and the speed of the electric vehicle M, and controls the VCU 26 and inverter 28 to output the determined torque. Furthermore, the drive control device 20 determines the braking force to be output by the motor 10 and / or the brake device 12 based on the amount of brake pedal operation and the speed of the electric vehicle M, and controls the brake device 12, VCU 26, and inverter 28 to output the determined braking force.

[0056] Figure 2This is a structural diagram of a driving battery package 40. The driving battery package 40 has, for example, one or more battery cases 42. The battery cases 42 each accommodate a plurality of battery cells 44 in a stacked state. In the figure, the X-axis is the central axis direction of the electric vehicle M, the Y-axis is the width direction of the electric vehicle M, and the Z-axis is the top-bottom direction of the electric vehicle M. When the driving battery package 40 is mounted on the electric vehicle M, the plurality of battery cells 44 are stacked in a horizontal direction. The figure shows that the plurality of battery cells 44 are stacked in the Y-axis direction, but the plurality of battery cells 44 may also be stacked in the X-axis direction, or may be stacked in a direction inclined relative to the X-axis and the Y-axis. The plurality of battery cells 44 are constrained from both sides in the stacking direction by a constraining device. That is, force is applied to the plurality of battery cells 44 in such a manner that they are sandwiched from both sides in the stacking direction.

[0057] Each of the multiple battery cells 44 is, for example, an all-solid-state battery using lithium metal as its negative electrode. Compared to all-solid-state batteries using carbon as its negative electrode, all-solid-state batteries using lithium metal as its negative electrode experience greater expansion associated with degradation, thus achieving greater benefits from the present invention. Alternatively, each of the multiple battery cells 44 may be a can-shaped prismatic cell containing an electrolyte. Each of the multiple battery cells 44 may also be a stacked battery, or may be either modularized or non-modularized.

[0058] return Figure 1 A battery sensor 46 is mounted on the driving battery pack 40 . The battery sensor 46 includes, for example, a current sensor, a voltage sensor, a temperature sensor, etc. The battery sensor 46 outputs a detection result to the battery control device 70 .

[0059] In addition to transferring power between the driving battery pack 40 and the motor 10, the driving battery pack 40 can also be charged by a charger 100 located outside the electric vehicle M. A charging port 50 for external charging is provided facing the exterior of the electric vehicle M. The charging port 50 is connected to the charger 100 via a charging cable 102. A plug 104 is provided at the distal end of the charging cable 102. By attaching the plug 104 to the charging port 50, the driving battery pack 40 can be charged. Alternatively, the charging cable 102 may include a power cable and a signal cable, and the battery control unit 70 may communicate with the charger 100 via the signal cable. In this case, the plug 104 is provided with a signal connector in addition to a power connector. A connecting circuit 52 is provided between the driving battery pack 40 and the charging port 50. The connecting circuit 52 connects and disconnects the electrical connection between the driving battery pack 40 and the charging port 50.

[0060] The HMI 60 is, for example, a display device or a speaker installed at any location of the electric vehicle M. The HMI 60 may be a display device that displays an instrument or is installed around a mechanical instrument. The HMI 60 is an example of an "information output device."

[0061] The network communication device 65 is a communication device for connecting to a wide area network such as the Internet via a cellular network or a Wi-Fi network.

[0062] Figure 3 This is a structural diagram of the battery control device 70. The battery control device 70 includes, for example, a battery status acquisition unit 72, a processing unit 74, a notification control unit 76, and a storage unit 80. The battery status acquisition unit 72, the processing unit 74, and the notification control unit 76 are each implemented by a hardware processor, such as a CPU, executing a program (software). Some or all of these components may be implemented using hardware (including circuitry) such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or through a combination of software and hardware. The program may be pre-stored in a storage device (including a non-transitory storage medium) such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or flash memory connected to the hardware processor, or it may be stored in a removable storage medium (non-transitory storage medium) such as a DVD or CD-ROM and installed in the storage device by attaching the storage medium to a drive. The storage unit 80 may be the same as or different from the storage device storing the program. The storage unit 80 is an HDD, a flash memory, a RAM (Random Access Memory), or the like, and stores information such as the index value transition information 82 .

[0063] The battery status acquisition unit 72 calculates the SOC (State of Charge) of the driving battery pack 40, supplies SOC information to the drive control device 20, and causes the HMI 60 to display an image related to the SOC. The battery status acquisition unit 72 acquires (calculates) the SOC of the driving battery pack 40 based on, for example, the voltage and temperature of the driving battery pack 40, or the capacity retention rate (described later). Various methods are known for calculating the SOC, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. For example, the SOC can be acquired using a map that maps voltage and SOC at various temperatures.

[0064] Furthermore, the battery status acquisition unit 72 acquires index values ​​related to the degradation of the plurality of battery cells 44 of the driving battery pack 40. These index values ​​include the capacity retention rate, internal resistance value, or the reaction force exerted by the plurality of battery cells 44 on the restraint device. The degree of degradation is calculated by subtracting the capacity retention rate from 100%, so the index value may also be the degree of degradation.

[0065] The battery state acquisition unit 72 calculates and acquires the capacity retention rate based on, for example, the value obtained by dividing the cumulative value (ΔI [Ah]) of the charging current of the driving battery pack 40 over a predetermined period by the change in the SOC of the driving battery pack 40 over the same predetermined period (ΔSOC [%), and the initial capacity. Alternatively, the internal resistance value can be determined by comparing the cumulative value of the charging current of the driving battery pack 40 over a predetermined period with the change in voltage. Since the capacity retention rate and the internal resistance value are correlated, it is possible to determine one after determining the other based on the correlation. Various methods are known for calculating this value, and therefore a detailed description will be omitted.

[0066] The battery state acquisition unit 72 may not calculate and derive the aforementioned index values ​​itself, but may instead obtain them from an external information providing device via the network communication device 65. In this case, the external information providing device periodically obtains information such as the voltage, current integrated value, and temperature of the driving battery pack 40 via the network communication device 65, calculates the capacity retention rate and internal resistance value in more detail using a learned model based on machine learning, and transmits the calculated information to the electric vehicle M.

[0067] When acquiring the reaction force as the index value, the battery state acquisition unit 72 acquires the reaction force based on a value acquired from a pressure sensor (not shown) provided at a location in the driving battery pack 40 where the reaction force acts, for example.

[0068] When the indicator value reaches the first threshold, processing unit 74 prohibits charging of driving battery pack 40 from charger 100, serving as an external power source. If the indicator value is the capacity retention rate, "the indicator value reaches the first threshold" means "the indicator value decreases from exceeding the first threshold to below the first threshold." If the indicator value is the internal resistance value or the reaction force, "the indicator value reaches the first threshold" means "the indicator value increases from below the first threshold to above the first threshold." Specifically, the former applies when the indicator value decreases as degradation of the battery cells 44 progresses, while the latter applies when degradation progresses.

[0069] The first threshold value is a value determined based on, for example, the structural limitations of the driving battery pack 40 .Figure 4 This diagram illustrates the principle of determining the first threshold value Th1 and the second threshold value Th2 (described later). Here, the index value is assumed to be the capacity retention rate. The relationship between the capacity retention rate and the reaction force shown in the diagram represents a hypothetical state change for a driving battery pack 40 with poor expansion characteristics (high expansion rate in response to degradation), as determined through experiments. As shown in the diagram, the reaction force generated in the driving battery pack 40, given the same index value, reaches its maximum when the SOC is at a high first predetermined value (e.g., 90-100%) and reaches its minimum when the SOC is at a low second predetermined value (e.g., 10-30%). Because the driving battery pack 40 is repeatedly charged and discharged, the reaction force exhibits a zigzag transition along a transition line L1. To prevent damage to the driving battery pack 40, the first threshold value Th1 can be determined by focusing on the SOC at the first predetermined value. The first threshold Th1 is determined as the capacity retention rate when the reaction force reaches the structural limit value (the value expected to cause cracks in the battery cell 44, etc.) minus a margin value α that takes into account product variations. Furthermore, the second threshold Th2, which provides a further margin, is determined, for example, by multiplying the first threshold Th1 by a coefficient β (β is a value of approximately 1.2 to 1.35, or, if the index value increases with increasing degradation, the reciprocal of the coefficient). Thus, the second threshold Th2 is a value that is easier to reach than the first threshold Th1.

[0070] The process for prohibiting charging of the plurality of battery cells 44 from the charger 100 may be, for example, a process of maintaining the connection circuit 52 in a constantly disconnected state, thereby disabling charging even when the plug 104 is attached to the charging port 50. Alternatively, the process for prohibiting charging of the plurality of battery cells 44 from the charger 100 may be a process of notifying the charger 100 via a signal cable that charging is not being performed when the plug 104 is attached to the charging port 50, or both.

[0071] When the indicator value reaches the first threshold value Th1, the notification control unit 76 causes the HMI 60 to output information (an example of first notification information) indicating that charging from the charger 100 to the driving battery pack 40 is prohibited. Furthermore, when the indicator value reaches the second threshold value Th2, the notification control unit 76 causes the HMI 60 to output information (an example of second notification information) indicating that charging from the charger 100 to the driving battery pack 40 is prohibited.

[0072] It should be noted that after the indicator value reaches the first threshold value Th1, the driving battery pack 40 cannot be charged except through regeneration via power generation by the motor 10, making long-distance travel difficult. Therefore, the notification control unit 76 may cause the HMI 60 to output a message advising replacement of the driving battery pack 40 at a retail store, etc., when the indicator value reaches the first threshold value Th1.

[0073] Figure 5 This is a flowchart showing an example of the process flow performed by the battery control device 70. The process of this flowchart is, for example, repeatedly executed. First, the battery status acquisition unit 72 acquires an indicator value (step S100). Next, the processing unit 74 determines whether the indicator value has reached the first threshold value Th1 (step S102). If it is determined that the indicator value has reached the first threshold value Th1, the processing unit 74 performs a process for prohibiting external charging from the charger 100 (step S104). In addition, the notification control unit 76 causes the HMI 60 to output a first notification message (step S106).

[0074] If the indicator value does not reach the first threshold, the report control unit 76 determines whether the indicator value reaches the second threshold Th2 (step S108). If the indicator value reaches the second threshold Th2, the report control unit 76 causes the HMI 60 to output second notification information (step S110).

[0075] It should be noted that regarding the output control of the second notification information, the report control unit 76 may also not use the second threshold value Th2 determined as a fixed value, but may store the change of the index value relative to the passage of time or the travel distance of the electric vehicle M as the index value change information 82 in the storage unit 80 in advance, and when it is expected that the index value reaches the first threshold value Th1 after a specified time or after traveling a specified distance based on the index value change information 82, the HMI60 outputs the second notification information. Figure 6 This figure illustrates another example of output control for the second notification information. This figure also assumes that the indicator value is the capacity maintenance rate. In the figure, black circles represent past indicator values ​​shown in the indicator value transition information 82. The notification control unit 76 pre-derives a hypothetical line L2 from the distribution of past indicator values ​​using a method such as the least squares method. When the capacity maintenance rate reaches the first threshold value Th1 after a predetermined period of time or a predetermined distance has elapsed (when the capacity maintenance rate reaches the value indicated by the intersection of the vertical dashed line corresponding to "output second notification information" and the hypothetical line L2 in the figure), the HMI 60 outputs the second notification information. This allows notification to be made at a more appropriate time based on the characteristics of the driving battery pack 40.

[0076] According to the embodiment described above, it is possible to prevent a malfunction in the vehicle battery due to expansion associated with degradation from occurring before it occurs.

[0077] The above-described embodiment can be expressed as follows.

[0078] A control device for an electric vehicle equipped with a driving battery pack having a battery case that houses a plurality of battery cells in a stacked state and capable of charging the plurality of battery cells via an external power supply, wherein:

[0079] The control device is configured to include:

[0080] a storage device storing a program; and

[0081] a hardware processor connected to the storage device,

[0082] The hardware processor executes the program stored in the storage device to perform the following processing:

[0083] obtaining index values ​​related to degradation of the plurality of battery cells;

[0084] When the index value reaches a first threshold value, a process for prohibiting charging of the plurality of battery cells from the external power supply is performed.

[0085] While specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments at all, and various modifications and substitutions can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A control device for an electric vehicle equipped with a driving battery pack, the driving battery pack having a battery case that houses a plurality of battery cells in a stacked state and capable of charging the plurality of battery cells via an external power source, wherein: The control device comprises: an acquisition unit that acquires index values ​​related to degradation of the plurality of battery cells; a processing unit that, when the index value reaches a first threshold value, prohibits charging of the driving battery pack from the external power supply and continues charging of the driving battery pack by utilizing regeneration of a driving motor of the electric vehicle; and The notification control unit causes an information output device capable of outputting information to output first notification information to an occupant of the electric vehicle when the index value reaches a first threshold value.

2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein: The processing unit performs a process for prohibiting charging of the driving battery pack from the external power supply when the index value increases and reaches a first threshold value.

3. The control device according to claim 2, wherein: The index value is an internal resistance value of the plurality of battery cells or a reaction force applied by the plurality of battery cells to a restraint device.

4. The control device according to claim 2, wherein: The notification control unit causes an information output device capable of outputting information to output first notification information to a passenger on the electric vehicle when the index value increases and reaches a first threshold value.

5. The control device according to claim 4, wherein: The report control unit causes the information output device to output second notification information when the index value increases and reaches a second threshold value that is a value smaller than the first threshold value.

6. The control device according to claim 1, wherein: The processing unit performs a process for prohibiting charging of the driving battery pack from the external power supply when the index value decreases and reaches a first threshold value.

7. The control device according to claim 6, wherein: The index value is a capacity maintenance rate of the plurality of battery cells.

8. The control device according to claim 6, wherein: The notification control unit causes an information output device capable of outputting information to output first notification information to a passenger on the electric vehicle when the index value decreases and reaches a first threshold value.

9. The control device according to claim 8, wherein: The report control unit causes the information output device to output second notification information when the index value decreases and reaches a second threshold value that is a value larger than the first threshold value.

10. The control device according to claim 4 or 8, wherein: The notification control unit causes a storage device to store the change in the index value in advance, and causes the information output device to output second notification information when it is predicted based on the change in the index value that the index value will reach the first threshold value after a predetermined time or after traveling a predetermined distance.

11. The control device according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of battery cells are each a can-shaped prismatic cell, and are stacked in a horizontal direction when mounted on the electric vehicle.

12. The control device according to claim 1, wherein: The first threshold value is a value determined based on a structural limit of the battery cell.

13. A storage medium storing a program, wherein: The driving battery pack has a battery case that houses a plurality of battery cells in a stacked state, and can charge the plurality of battery cells via an external power source. The program causes a control device for an electric vehicle equipped with the driving battery pack to perform the following processing: obtaining index values ​​related to degradation of the plurality of battery cells; When the indicator value reaches a first threshold value, performing processing for prohibiting charging of the driving battery pack from the external power supply, and continuing charging of the driving battery pack by utilizing regeneration of a running motor of the electric vehicle; as well as When the index value reaches a first threshold value, an information output device capable of outputting information is caused to output first notification information to an occupant of the electric vehicle.

Images