Electric vehicle endurance range management

Abstract

A method for managing a range of an electric vehicle includes obtaining temperature prediction data over an upcoming time period and determining a range of the electric vehicle over the upcoming time period based on the temperature prediction data. The method also includes determining a travel distance from the electric vehicle to the stationary electric vehicle charging station. Further, the method includes notifying a user of the electric vehicle if the range of endurance of the electric vehicle at one or more times during the upcoming time period will be less than a threshold relative to a travel distance from the electric vehicle to the fixed electric vehicle charging station. Further, another method for managing the range of an electric vehicle may account for distance to one or more intended destinations.

Description

[0001] introduce

[0002] The present disclosure pertains to the field of range management for electric vehicles.

[0003] The driving range available to a driver of an electric vehicle may be a function of ambient temperature. Since "range anxiety," or uncertainty about the driving range available to an electric vehicle driver, is considered a barrier to widespread adoption of electric vehicles, it may be advantageous to effectively manage the driving range of electric vehicles despite fluctuations in ambient temperature. Summary of the invention

[0004] A method for managing the range of an electric vehicle includes obtaining temperature prediction data for an upcoming time period and determining the range of the electric vehicle in the upcoming time period based on the temperature prediction data. The method also includes determining a driving distance from the electric vehicle to a fixed electric vehicle charging station. In addition, the method includes notifying a user of the electric vehicle if the range of the electric vehicle will be less than a threshold relative to the driving distance from the electric vehicle to the fixed electric vehicle charging station at one or more times during the upcoming time period. The fixed electric vehicle charging station may be a fixed electric vehicle charging station that is closest to the driving distance of the electric vehicle. The threshold may be 100% of the driving distance from the electric vehicle to the fixed electric vehicle charging station.

[0005] Acquiring temperature prediction data in an upcoming time period may also include: acquiring temperature prediction data for a current position of the electric vehicle in an upcoming time period, and acquiring temperature prediction data for a second position in an upcoming time period.

[0006] The method for managing the range of an electric vehicle may further include identifying one or more mobile charging services to the user if the range of the electric vehicle will be less than the threshold.

[0007] An alternative method for managing the range of an electric vehicle includes obtaining temperature prediction data for an upcoming time period and determining the range of the electric vehicle based on the temperature prediction data. The method also includes determining a driving distance from the electric vehicle to a destination. In addition, the method includes notifying a user of the electric vehicle if the range of the electric vehicle will be less than a threshold value relative to the driving distance from the electric vehicle to the destination at one or more times during the upcoming time period.

[0008] The threshold may be 100% of the driving distance from the electric vehicle to the destination. In addition, the destination may be provided by the user or may be inferred from past trips driven by the user.

[0009] Additionally, as an enhancement, the destination may be the user's workplace or may be the user's home.

[0010] The method may further include identifying the location of one or more fixed electric vehicle charging stations to a user of the electric vehicle if the range of the electric vehicle will be less than the threshold. In addition, the method may include identifying one or more mobile electric vehicle charging services to the user if the range of the electric vehicle will be less than the threshold.

[0011] Acquiring temperature prediction data for an upcoming time period may include acquiring temperature prediction data for a current position of the electric vehicle in an upcoming time period and acquiring temperature prediction data for a second position in an upcoming time period.

[0012] A range management system for an electric vehicle includes one or more controllers that are collectively programmed with instructions to: obtain temperature prediction data for an upcoming time period; determine a range of the electric vehicle based on the temperature prediction data; determine a driving distance from the electric vehicle to a destination; and notify a user of the electric vehicle if the range of the electric vehicle will be less than a threshold relative to the driving distance from the electric vehicle to the destination at one or more times during the upcoming time period. The threshold may be 100% of the driving distance from the electric vehicle to the destination.

[0013] As an enhancement to the system, the destination can be inferred from past trips driven by the user.

[0014] As a further enhancement, the one or more controllers may also be collectively programmed to identify the location of one or more fixed electric vehicle charging stations to a user of the electric vehicle if the range of the electric vehicle will be less than the threshold. As a still further enhancement, the one or more controllers may be collectively programmed to identify one or more mobile electric vehicle charging services to the user if the range of the electric vehicle will be less than the threshold.

[0015] The one or more controllers may also be collectively programmed to obtain temperature prediction data for an upcoming time period at a current location of the electric vehicle and to obtain temperature prediction data for an upcoming time period at a second location.

[0016] A first aspect of the present disclosure provides a method for managing the cruising range of an electric vehicle, the method comprising:

[0017] Get temperature forecast data for the upcoming time period;

[0018] determining a cruising range of the electric vehicle in the upcoming time period according to the temperature prediction data;

[0019] determining a driving distance from the electric vehicle to a fixed electric vehicle charging station; and

[0020] A user of the electric vehicle is notified if the range of the electric vehicle will be less than a threshold relative to a driving distance from the electric vehicle to the fixed electric vehicle charging station at one or more times during an upcoming time period.

[0021] The method according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the threshold is greater than a driving distance from the electric vehicle to the fixed electric vehicle charging station.

[0022] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, obtaining temperature prediction data for an upcoming time period includes:

[0023] Acquiring temperature prediction data for a current position of the electric vehicle in an upcoming time period; and

[0024] Temperature forecast data for a second location in an upcoming time period is obtained.

[0025] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, the fixed electric vehicle charging station is a fixed electric vehicle charging station that is closest to the driving distance of the electric vehicle.

[0026] According to the first aspect of the present disclosure, it also includes: if the cruising range of the electric vehicle will be less than the threshold, identifying one or more mobile charging services to the user.

[0027] A second aspect of the present disclosure provides a method for managing the cruising range of an electric vehicle, the method comprising:

[0028] Get temperature forecast data for the upcoming time period;

[0029] Determining the cruising range of the electric vehicle according to the temperature prediction data;

[0030] determining a driving distance from the electric vehicle to a destination; and

[0031] A user of the electric vehicle is notified if the range of the electric vehicle will be less than a threshold relative to a driving distance from the electric vehicle to the destination at one or more times during an upcoming time period.

[0032] According to the method of the second aspect of the present disclosure, the threshold is greater than the driving distance from the electric vehicle to the destination.

[0033] According to the method of the second aspect of the present disclosure, the destination is provided by a user.

[0034] A method according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the destination is inferred from past trips driven by the user.

[0035] According to the method of the second aspect of the present disclosure, the destination is a user's workplace.

[0036] According to the method of the second aspect of the present disclosure, the destination is the user's home.

[0037] The method according to the second aspect of the present disclosure further includes: if the cruising range of the electric vehicle will be less than the threshold, identifying the location of one or more fixed electric vehicle charging stations to the user of the electric vehicle.

[0038] The method according to the second aspect of the present disclosure further includes: if the cruising range of the electric vehicle will be less than the threshold, identifying one or more mobile electric vehicle charging services to the user.

[0039] According to the method of the second aspect of the present disclosure, obtaining temperature prediction data for an upcoming time period includes:

[0040] Acquiring temperature prediction data for a current position of the electric vehicle in an upcoming time period; and

[0041] Temperature forecast data for a second location in an upcoming time period is obtained.

[0042] A third aspect of the present disclosure provides a range management system for an electric vehicle, the system comprising one or more controllers, the one or more controllers being collectively programmed with the following instructions:

[0043] Get temperature forecast data for the upcoming time period;

[0044] Determining the cruising range of the electric vehicle according to the temperature prediction data;

[0045] determining a driving distance from the electric vehicle to a destination; and

[0046] A user of the electric vehicle is notified if the range of the electric vehicle will be less than a threshold relative to a driving distance from the electric vehicle to the destination at one or more times during an upcoming time period.

[0047] According to the system described in the third aspect of the present disclosure, the threshold is greater than the driving distance from the electric vehicle to the destination.

[0048] According to the system described in the third aspect of the present disclosure, the destination is inferred from past trips driven by the user.

[0049] According to the system of the third aspect of the present disclosure, the one or more controllers are also collectively programmed with the following instructions:

[0050] If the range of the electric vehicle will be less than the threshold, the location of one or more fixed electric vehicle charging stations is identified to a user of the electric vehicle.

[0051] According to the system of the third aspect of the present disclosure, the one or more controllers are also collectively programmed with the following instructions:

[0052] If the range of the electric vehicle will be less than the threshold, one or more mobile electric vehicle charging services are identified to the user.

[0053] According to the system of the third aspect of the present disclosure, the one or more controllers are also collectively programmed with the following instructions:

[0054] Acquiring temperature prediction data for a current position of the electric vehicle in an upcoming time period; and

[0055] Temperature forecast data for a second location in an upcoming time period is obtained.

[0056] The above summary of the invention does not represent every embodiment or every aspect of the present disclosure. When understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims, other possible features and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments for performing the present disclosure. In addition, the combinations and sub-combinations of the elements described in the present disclosure are explicitly included in the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0057] Figure 1 is a map showing the current location and intended destination of an electric vehicle and the locations of several fixed electric vehicle charging stations.

[0058] Figure 2 is a graph showing a representative relationship between the cruising range of an electric vehicle and the ambient temperature.

[0059] Figure 3 A portion of a vehicle's electrical system is illustrated.

[0060] Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating one method of managing the range of an electric vehicle.

[0061] Figure 5 is a flow chart illustrating a second method of managing the range of an electric vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] The present disclosure may take many different forms of embodiments. Representative examples of the present disclosure are shown in the accompanying drawings and described in detail herein as non-limiting examples of the disclosed principles. For this reason, elements and limitations described in the abstract, introduction, summary, and detailed description but not explicitly set forth in the claims should not be incorporated into the claims individually or collectively by implication, inference, or otherwise.

[0063] First reference Figure 1 , the electric vehicle 10 is parked at a parking location 12. The parking location 12 may be a building, which may be a commercial building, such as a workplace. The parking location 12 may also be a home or another building where the electric vehicle 10 may be parked. Figure 1 Three electric vehicle charging stations 14a, 14b and 14c are also schematically illustrated in FIG. The charging stations 14a-14c may be Level 2 chargers.

[0064] A user of the electric vehicle 10, such as its driver, may have a destination 16 that the driver plans to drive to the next time the driver drives the electric vehicle 10. The destination 16 may be, for example, the driver's home, or, if the electric vehicle 10 is already parked at home, the destination 16 may be the driver's workplace. The driver of the electric vehicle 10 may want to know whether the electric vehicle 10 has enough range to reach the destination 16. Additionally, the driver of the electric vehicle 10 may want to know whether the electric vehicle 10 has at least enough range to reach one or more charging stations 14a-14c so that the electric vehicle 10 is not stranded due to its traction battery being depleted.

[0065] The driving range available to the electric vehicle 10 may be a function of the ambient temperature at the location where the electric vehicle 10 is located. Figure 2 A representative relationship between vehicle range and ambient temperature for an electric vehicle is illustrated. The x-axis represents ambient temperature, and the y-axis represents the ratio of the actual (or "real world") range of the electric vehicle 10 to the theoretical (or "rated") range. For a given state of charge of the vehicle's battery, the range may be highest at or near room temperature (say, approximately 20°C or 68°F) and will drop, sometimes significantly, above or below that temperature. The range can be a function of ambient temperature for a variety of reasons. Battery chemistry is one reason, and friction in the mechanical components of the electric vehicle 10 is another reason.

[0066] The driver of the parked electric vehicle 10 may anticipate traveling in the electric vehicle 10 at some time in the future (e.g., at the end of the workday after parking the electric vehicle 10 at the driver's workplace at the beginning of the day). Therefore, the ambient temperature at this time in the future (which may be several hours from the current time) may affect the range available to the electric vehicle 10 at the expected travel time.

[0067] Reference now Figure 3 , the electric vehicle 10 may include several controllers in its electrical system. For example, the electric vehicle 10 may include a cellular telecommunications unit ("TCU") 100 that allows the electric vehicle 10 to participate in cellular telecommunications. Such telecommunications may include telecommunications with a "back office" operated by the manufacturer of the electric vehicle 10 (such as a GM operated GM). is an example of such a backend). The TCU 100 may have an antenna 102 to facilitate such communications. The electric vehicle 10 may also have a powertrain controller 104 that controls an electric motor that uses energy stored in one or more traction batteries 106 to drive the electric vehicle 10. The electric vehicle 10 may also have a battery controller 108 that controls the charging of the traction batteries 106 and monitors their state of charge. Of course, the electric vehicle 10 may have many other controllers 110a-110n for controlling other functions of the electric vehicle 10, such as braking, infotainment, steering, lighting, etc. The various controllers on the electric vehicle 10 may be networked together via one or more data buses 112 or via individual circuits, and the controllers may thus share data when performing their various functions. In addition, the electrical system of the electric vehicle 10 may be connected to the Figure 3 The components may be partitioned differently as shown in , with the functions being performed by different or other controllers.

[0068] The various calculations and comparisons described below in this disclosure may be performed by one controller, or by several controllers that may be networked together in the electrical system of the electric vehicle 10. Each of these controllers may individually or collectively have sufficient electronic resources (microprocessor, memory, input, output, software, cellular network access device ("NAD"), global positioning sensor ("GPS") position sensing) to perform the functions described in this disclosure. Likewise, some of the calculations and comparisons may be performed by a mobile phone of the driver of the electric vehicle 10, which itself may have sufficient electronic resources to perform some or all of the functions described herein.

[0069] Figure 4A method of managing the driving range of an electric vehicle 10 is illustrated. At box 200, a driver of the electric vehicle 10 shifts the electric vehicle (EV) into park and turns the vehicle off. At box 202, the remaining range of the electric vehicle 10 is periodically recalculated for an upcoming time period. The upcoming time period may be input by the driver into an application (such as an application provided by some motor vehicle manufacturers) or into a user interface (such as a touch screen) in the electric vehicle 10. To recalculate the remaining range of the electric vehicle 10, for example, a time period may be used. Figure 2 The range-temperature relationship shown in , corrects the final range calculation before the vehicle is turned off by the expected ambient temperature at the location of the electric vehicle 10 in the upcoming time period. The expected ambient temperature used can alternatively be the expected ambient temperature at the closest location to the parking location 12, for which predicted temperature data is available.

[0070] The worst-case ambient temperature for the upcoming time period may be used at box 202 to derive the worst-case available driving range (the expected or predicted ambient temperature may be available through one or more weather forecast resources and will therefore be available to one or more controllers on the electric vehicle 10 and / or an application on the driver's mobile phone, as these devices have cellular telecommunication capabilities). At box 206, the corrected range of the electric vehicle 10 may be compared to the distance from the electric vehicle 10 to the nearest charging station 14a-14c. The charging station may be a Level 2 charging station. The distance to the nearest charging station from box 204 is input into the comparison performed at box 206. The presence of the charging stations 14a-14c and the distance to the charging stations 14a-14c may be obtained in a memory in a controller in the electric vehicle 10, via an application on the driver's mobile phone, via a "backend" associated with the manufacturer of the electric vehicle 10, or via the Internet.

[0071] The "closest" charging station 14a-14c may be based on a number of criteria. It may be the closest driving distance along any driving path. It may be the closest along a driving path that meets predetermined criteria, such as a driving path that has only improved (i.e., paved) roads. The "closest" charging station may also be the closest on a driving path that leads in the general direction of the destination 16. The criteria may be pre-programmed, or they may be selected by the driver.

[0072] At box 208, it is determined whether the estimated range of the electric vehicle 10 will be less than the distance to the nearest charging station 14a-14c at any time during the upcoming time period. If "no", the driver can be notified at box 210 of the minimum range that will be available for the electric vehicle 10 taking into account the worst-case predicted ambient temperature during the upcoming time period. The available range at different times during the upcoming time period (not just the time when the range will be at its minimum) can also be provided.

[0073] On the other hand, if the comparison at box 208 concludes that the expected range of the electric vehicle 10 in the upcoming time period will be less than the distance to the nearest charging station 14a-14c, the method moves to box 212. There, the driver can be notified of the minimum range that will be available in the upcoming time period, as well as time intervals during the upcoming time period when the estimated range of the electric vehicle 10 will be less than the distance to the nearest charging station 14a-14c. These time intervals are time intervals when the driver of the electric vehicle 10 is at risk of being stranded due to insufficient charge in the traction battery 106 of the electric vehicle 10. The driver can also be notified of the potential range boost that can be obtained from Level 1 charging in the upcoming time period to help offset the range that may have been lost due to the effects of temperature on the range of the electric vehicle 10 (e.g., as Figure 2 ) (the available nominal power from the Level 1 charger is known, and therefore the increased range that a Level 1 charger can provide in a given time period can be estimated). At box 214, it is determined whether the driver of the electric vehicle 10 chooses to order an on-site charging option, i.e., a service in which a mobile charger (such as a Level 2 charger) can be brought to the electric vehicle 10 to provide charging to overcome the estimated range shortfall. If the driver does order mobile charging, an order can be placed for the charging session at box 216, which may require the driver to confirm the order. If the driver does not order mobile charging, mobile charging services near the electric vehicle 10 can be suggested to the driver at box 218.

[0074] As an enhancement at box 212, if the driver ignores one or more notifications given at box 212 regarding insufficient range, the system may place a mobile charging order for the electric vehicle 10. This automatic mobile charging ordering functionality may be a feature that the driver may turn "on" or "off" at the driver's discretion. The number of ignored notifications that may trigger an automatic mobile charging order may also be configured at the driver's discretion.

[0075] When charging on the go, the driver may choose to fully charge the electric vehicle 10 or only partially charge the electric vehicle 10. Given that mobile charging may be more expensive than charging at a fixed electric vehicle charging station, the driver may choose to only partially charge the electric vehicle 10 using mobile charging and then more fully charge the electric vehicle 10 at a fixed electric vehicle charging station later.

[0076] As an enhancement, the expected range calculation at box 202 can be based on temperature predictions at some or all locations between the parking location 12 and the nearest charging station 14a-14c during the upcoming time period, rather than just the temperature prediction at the parking location 12, and the expected range is calculated based on the worst-case ambient temperature anywhere between the electric vehicle 10 and the nearest charging station 14a-14c.

[0077] As another variation, the comparison at box 208 may be made between the range of the electric vehicle 10 and a threshold value relative to the distance from the electric vehicle to the corresponding charging station. As described above, the threshold value may be the distance from the electric vehicle to the charging station, i.e., 100% of that distance. However, a safety factor may be added; the threshold value may exceed 100%, such as 120%. The threshold value may also be a specific number of miles greater than the distance to the charging station, such as 25 miles. The threshold value may also be selected by the user of the electric vehicle 10.

[0078] As a further enhancement, the charging station 14a-14c that acquires the distance from the electric vehicle 10 at box 204 may be a charging station specifically selected by the user of the electric vehicle 10 (e.g., through an application or through a user interface of the electric vehicle 10), and not necessarily the nearest charging station 14a-14c. In addition, the charging station 14a-14c that acquires the distance from the electric vehicle 10 at box 204 may be a charging station from a charging station network or another existing business relationship subscribed to by the user of the electric vehicle 10. In addition, the charging station 14a-14c that acquires the distance from the electric vehicle 10 at box 204 may be the nearest charging station that is known to be compatible with charging the electric vehicle 10; there are various charging and interface technologies, and not all electric vehicles are compatible with all electric vehicle chargers and can be charged by all electric vehicle chargers. The driving distance to the nearest few charging stations 14a-14c or the nearest few compatible charging stations 14a-14c may be used. "Several" may be three, for example.

[0079] refer to Figure 5An alternative method for range management of an electric vehicle 10 is illustrated. At block 400, the driver of the electric vehicle 10 parks the electric vehicle 10 by shifting into park and turning off the electric vehicle 10. At block 402, the remaining range of the electric vehicle 10 for an upcoming time period is periodically recalculated. The upcoming time period may be input by the driver into a mobile phone application or into a user interface (such as a touch screen) in the electric vehicle 10. To recalculate the remaining range of the electric vehicle 10, for example, a time period may be used. Figure 2 The range-temperature relationship shown in , corrects the last range calculation before the vehicle is turned off by the predicted ambient temperature in the upcoming time period. At box 404, the driver enters (or has entered, such as when parking the electric vehicle 10) the next destination 16 that the driver plans to travel to in the electric vehicle 10.

[0080] At box 406, the minimum range estimated to be available in the upcoming time period is compared to the distance that the electric vehicle 10 has to travel to the destination 16 (which may be via a route selected by the driver or by route planning software, which may be carried in an application on the driver's mobile phone or may be obtained via a "backend" associated with the electric vehicle 10). The minimum available range may be the worst case range at the lowest temperature predicted for the upcoming time period. At box 408, a determination is made as to whether the minimum range available in the upcoming time period will be less than the distance traveled to the destination 16. If "no", that is, if sufficient range is predicted to reach the destination 16, the driver may be notified of the minimum range available in the upcoming time period at box 410. Available ranges based on several possible ambient temperatures during the upcoming time period (not just the worst case) may also be provided.

[0081] The distance that the electric vehicle 10 travels to the destination 16 can be based on a number of criteria. It can be the shortest distance along any driving path. It can also be the shortest distance along a driving path that meets predetermined criteria, such as a driving path that has only improved (i.e., paved) roads. These criteria can be pre-programmed, or they can be selected by the driver.

[0082] However, if the comparison at block 408 concludes that the minimum range of the electric vehicle 10 is insufficient to travel to the destination 16, the routine may proceed to block 412. There, the driver is notified of the minimum range available in the upcoming time period, as well as time intervals during which the estimated range of the electric vehicle 10 will be less than the distance to the destination 16. These time intervals are time intervals during which the driver of the electric vehicle 10 is at risk of not being able to reach the destination due to insufficient charge in the traction battery 106 of the electric vehicle 10. The driver may also be notified of potential range boosts available from Level 1 charging in the upcoming time period to help offset the effects on the range of the electric vehicle 10 due to temperature (e.g., as Figure 2 In addition, at box 414, assuming that the electric vehicle 10 is expected to have insufficient range to travel to the destination 16, the driver can be notified of one or more Level 2 charging stations closest to the electric vehicle 10.

[0083] As an enhancement, the expected range calculation at box 402 can be based on temperature predictions at some or all locations between the parking location 12 and the destination 16 during the upcoming time period (rather than just the temperature prediction at the parking location 12) and the expected range is calculated based on the worst-case ambient temperature anywhere between the parking location 12 and the destination 16.

[0084] As another variation, the comparison at box 408 may be between the range of the electric vehicle 10 and a threshold value relative to the driving distance from the electric vehicle 10 to the destination 16. The threshold value may be the driving distance from the electric vehicle 10 to the destination 16, i.e., 100% of that distance. However, a safety factor may be added; the threshold value may exceed 100%, such as 120%. The threshold value may also be a certain number of miles greater than the distance to the destination 16, such as 25 miles. The threshold value may also be selected by the user of the electric vehicle 10.

[0085] Instead of or in addition to the driver of the electric vehicle 10 entering a destination 16, the destination 16 may be inferred, for example, based on the daily travel pattern of the driver of the electric vehicle 10. The driver may, for example, regularly travel to work in the morning and regularly return home in the afternoon or evening. These destinations may be inferred by the system disclosed herein and suggested to the driver, who may then confirm which destination, if any, is indeed the intended destination 16.

[0086] As a reference to the above Figure 5As an enhancement to the range management method described, the driver of the electric vehicle 10 may input multiple destinations 16. The comparison at block 408 may then be whether the electric vehicle 10 has sufficient range to reach all of the destinations 16.

[0087] Interfacing with the driver of the electric vehicle 10 to implement the functions described in this disclosure may be via a mobile "app" (or application) installed on the driver's mobile phone. The application may be provided by the manufacturer of the electric vehicle 10. The application may communicate via cellular communications with a telematics service "backend" operated by the motor vehicle manufacturer (such as the GM operated by General Motors). ) communication. In addition, then, relevant data about the state of the electric vehicle 10 can also be obtained by the background through the electric vehicle 10 having cellular data communication capabilities (such as through the TCU 100 installed in the electric vehicle 10). The TCU 100 itself can then be interconnected within the electrical system of the electric vehicle 10 and can access various relevant vehicle data, such as, for example, the transmission state of the electric vehicle 10 (i.e., whether the electric vehicle 10 is in the park gear or a gear different from the park gear), the on / off state of the electric vehicle 10, the charge state and expected range of the traction battery 106, and the location of the electric vehicle 10.

[0088] As described herein, a "Level 1" charger may be a charger that is intended to operate at a typical residential or consumer voltage (e.g., 110 / 120V) and is suitable for plugging into a standard residential 110 / 120V outlet. A "Level 2" charger may be a charger that is intended to operate at a higher voltage (e.g., 208 / 240V) that provides higher charging power and faster charging than is available with a Level 1 charger. Of course, the teachings of the present disclosure are not limited to the current designation of chargers as "Level 1" or "Level 2" or the specific voltage levels discussed herein.

[0089] The locations of compatible Level 2 charging stations may be obtained in a memory in the controller of the electric vehicle 10, in a mobile phone application described herein, via a "backend" associated with the electric vehicle 10, or via the Internet.

[0090] As an enhancement, whenever a charging option (Level 1 or mobile charging, where mobile charging can be either Level 1 or Level 2) is presented or suggested to the driver, the driver may also be given an estimate of the time and cost to partially or fully charge the electric vehicle 10 using the presented or suggested charging option.

[0091] The detailed description and drawings or figures are support and description of the present teaching, but the scope of the present teaching is limited only by the claims. Although some best modes and other embodiments for carrying out the present teaching have been described in detail, there are various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the present teaching defined in the appended claims. In addition, the present disclosure explicitly includes combinations and sub-combinations of the elements and features presented above and below.

Claims

1. A method for managing the range of an electric vehicle, the method comprising: Get temperature forecast data for the upcoming time period; determining a cruising range of the electric vehicle in the upcoming time period according to the temperature prediction data; determining a driving distance from the electric vehicle to a fixed electric vehicle charging station; as well as A user of the electric vehicle is notified if the range of the electric vehicle will be less than a threshold relative to a driving distance from the electric vehicle to the fixed electric vehicle charging station at one or more times during an upcoming time period. 2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the threshold is greater than a driving distance from the electric vehicle to the fixed electric vehicle charging station.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein obtaining temperature prediction data for an upcoming time period comprises: Acquire temperature prediction data for a current position of the electric vehicle in an upcoming time period; as well as Temperature forecast data for a second location in an upcoming time period is obtained. 4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the fixed electric vehicle charging station is a fixed electric vehicle charging station that is closest in driving distance to the electric vehicle.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: If the range of the electric vehicle will be less than the threshold, one or more mobile charging services are identified to the user.

6. A method for managing the range of an electric vehicle, the method comprising: Get temperature forecast data for the upcoming time period; Determining the cruising range of the electric vehicle according to the temperature prediction data; determining a travel distance from the electric vehicle to a destination; as well as A user of the electric vehicle is notified if the range of the electric vehicle will be less than a threshold relative to a driving distance from the electric vehicle to the destination at one or more times during an upcoming time period. The method of claim 6 , wherein the threshold is greater than a driving distance from the electric vehicle to the destination. The method of claim 6 , wherein the destination is provided by a user.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the destination is inferred from past trips driven by the user.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the destination is a user's workplace.

Images