METHOD FOR HEATING THE INTERIOR OF AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE WITH RANGE EXTENSION

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of electric motor vehicles. More particularly, the invention relates to a method for heating a passenger compartment of an electric motor vehicle equipped with a range extender comprising at least one fuel cell.

[0002] Environmental conditions affect vehicle cabin temperatures. A cabin temperature that is too high or too low can cause premature driver fatigue and, consequently, can affect the safety of the driver and vehicle occupants. A car's heating and ventilation system is therefore essential equipment that contributes to the comfort and safety of vehicle users.

[0003] In electric vehicles, the electric motor, powered by a main battery, does not generate heat that could be directed to the heating and ventilation system to heat the passenger compartment. The main battery can then also be used to generate the calories necessary for good thermal comfort in the passenger compartment by supplying electricity to a heating device for said passenger compartment. As a result, the charge on the main battery is considerably reduced, as is the range of the electric vehicle.

[0004] In these electric cars, the main battery can be powered, in addition to the external source, by an internal energy source in the vehicle such as a fuel cell, which can then be used as a range extender. The fuel cell is electrically connected in parallel with the main battery. The electric motor is powered first by the main battery and, if necessary, by the fuel cell, when the charge in the main battery is insufficient to continue doing so, in order to generate electricity and extend the range when the battery is completely discharged.

[0005] The production of electrical energy by a fuel cell is accompanied by a release of calories that can be used to heat the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Thus, document EP2657053A discloses a method for heating the passenger compartment consisting of using, depending on the outside temperature and the temperature of the passenger compartment, when the vehicle is parked, the calories produced by a fuel cell or the calories produced by the heating device. This method makes it possible to use the calories produced by the fuel cell. However, this method is suitable for a parked vehicle, it is therefore limited in the management and optimization of the main battery, particularly when the vehicle is moving. Consequently, the main battery may present a risk of premature wear, thus shortening the autonomy of the electric vehicle.In addition, there is a risk that the heating may be inadequate, especially when the vehicle is no longer parked. Document KR101619874 B1 presents similar drawbacks.

[0006] The aim of the present invention is therefore to resolve at least some of the drawbacks described above, in particular by proposing a method for heating a vehicle interior taking into account the state of charge of the main battery so as to optimize its use and its lifespan.

[0007] The present invention proposes a method for heating an electric vehicle passenger compartment which comprises at least one main battery configured to electrically power a power train of the electric vehicle and to participate in the electrical power supply of a device for heating the passenger compartment and to be recharged by an external energy source, a range extender comprising at least one fuel cell configured to produce, in an operating state, electrical power to provide an alternative electrical power supply to the power train and / or to recharge the main battery, the production of electrical power by the range extender being accompanied by a release of calories capable of being directed towards the device for heating the passenger compartment.The heating method comprises a step of detecting the charge level of the main battery, a step of determining an operating state of the range extender, a step of selecting between the electrical supply of the heating device by the main battery and the release of calories by the range extender to heat the passenger compartment depending on the charge level of the main battery and the operating state of the range extender.

[0008] The electric vehicle is equipped with a main battery that powers the powertrain of the electric vehicle and a range extender equipped with at least one fuel cell that is configured to power the powertrain to the main battery and / or recharge the main battery. The method for heating the passenger compartment is implemented by the electronic management system that takes into account the state of charge of the main battery and the operating state of the range extender to select the heating source for the passenger compartment. Taking into account the state of charge of the battery and the operating state of the range extender makes it possible to optimize the charging and discharging cycles of the battery while avoiding excess energy consumption for untimely startups of the fuel cell.In addition, the electrical power from the extension cord to recharge the main battery also increases the vehicle's range, particularly on short journeys.

[0009] Here, as in everything that follows, "range extender" means that a fuel cell type generator is installed in the electric vehicle and is intended to increase the latter's range by recharging the main battery and / or by directly powering the electric drive train.

[0010] Here, and in everything that follows, "external energy source" means that the energy source required to recharge the main battery is located outside the vehicle and may be, for example, direct current from a supercharger or alternating current from a household power outlet.

[0011] Here, as in everything that follows, "operating state" means that the range extender is either in a working state, i.e. it produces electrical power accompanied by the release of calories, or in a stopped state, in which case the extender produces no electrical power.

[0012] According to the invention, the selection step comprises a sub-step of comparison between the detected charge level of the main battery and a threshold level above which the calories released by the range extender can be used to heat the passenger compartment and below which the calories released by the range extender are used to heat the passenger compartment and the electrical power produced by the range extender can be used to recharge the main battery.

[0013] According to one embodiment, if the detected operating state is the running state then the release of calories by the range extender is used for a passenger compartment heating operation.

[0014] According to one embodiment, if the operating state of the detected range extender is a shutdown state and if the charge level of the detected main battery is greater than or equal to the threshold level, then the selection step comprises a control sub-step during which an instruction to supply electricity to the heating device is sent to the main battery so that the passenger compartment is heated by the heating device. In other words, during this control sub-step the range extender remains in the shutdown state while the main battery provides the necessary electrical power to the heating device to electrically heat the passenger compartment.

[0015] According to one embodiment, if the operating state of the detected range extender is a stopped state and if the charge level of the detected main battery is below the threshold level, then the selection step comprises a sub-step of putting the range extender into operating state and the calories then released by the range extender are used to heat the passenger compartment. It is understood in this context that the range extender has been selected to heat the passenger compartment. It is then put into operating state so as to produce electrical power which can be used to recharge the main battery and / or power the powertrain, the calories produced in parallel are directed to the passenger compartment heating device which can then transfer them to the passenger compartment without being electrically powered by the main battery.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the charge level of the main battery is, in particular periodically, detected while the main battery electrically supplies the heating device.

[0017] According to one embodiment, if the charge level of the main battery becomes lower than the threshold level, then the selection step comprises a sub-step of putting the range extender into operating condition to power the drive train and / or recharge the main battery, the calories consequently released by the range extender being used to heat the passenger compartment.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the operating state sub-step comprises a phase of calculating the electrical power that the range extender should produce during a heating period so as to release the calories necessary for heating the passenger compartment during said heating period. The calculation of the electrical power makes it possible to adapt the quantity of calories to be produced to heat the passenger compartment and the electrical power provided for charging the main battery.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the operating state sub-step comprises a phase of estimating the charge level of the main battery after the heating period if the calculated electrical power is used to recharge the main battery throughout the heating period. Thus the main battery is not recharged beyond its maximum charge level and the electrical power is then not wasted.

[0020] According to one embodiment, if the charge level estimated in the estimation phase is lower than a maximum charge level of the main battery, then the estimation phase is followed by a control phase during which an instruction to produce the calculated electrical power is sent to the range extender to recharge the main battery during the heating period. It is understood that the electrical power produced by the range extender corresponds to the calculated electrical power and that the release of calories resulting from the production of the calculated electrical power is used to heat the passenger compartment during the heating period.

[0021] According to one embodiment, if the estimated charge level in the estimation phase is greater than a maximum charge level of the main battery, then a phase of evaluating the electrical power to be produced by the range extender is carried out to recharge the main battery during the heating period so that the charge level of the main battery is lower than the maximum charge level at the end of the heating period. This ensures that the main battery is not charged beyond its maximum charge level and therefore avoids losing electrical power.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the evaluation phase is followed by a control phase during which an instruction to produce the evaluated electrical power is sent to the range extender to recharge the main battery during the heating period. It is understood that the electrical power produced by the range extender corresponds to the evaluated electrical power and that the release of calories corresponding to the production of the evaluated electrical power is used to heat the passenger compartment during the heating period.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the step of detecting the charge level of the main battery is preceded by a step of receiving a request for heating the passenger compartment.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the range extender comprises a stack of fuel cells.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the threshold level is equal to 80% of the maximum charge of the main battery.

[0026] The present invention also provides an electric vehicle, in particular an automobile, comprising at least one main battery configured to electrically power a drive train of the vehicle and to be recharged by an external energy source, a range extender comprising at least one fuel cell configured to produce, in an operating state, electrical power, the production of electrical power being accompanied by a release of calories, a device for heating the passenger compartment, a detector of the state of charge of the main battery, a detector of the operating state of the range extender, and an electronic management system intended to implement the method according to the present invention.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the heating device is a heat pump and / or a convection radiator.

[0028] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description on the one hand, and from several examples of embodiment given for informational and non-limiting purposes with reference to the attached schematic drawings on the other hand, in which: [ fig 1 ] There figure 1 is a schematic view of an electric vehicle configured to implement the method according to the invention. fig 2 ] There figure 2 is a flowchart representing the different stages of the heating process according to the invention, making it possible in particular to respond to a demand for passenger compartment heating.

[0029] It should first be noted that while the figures set out the invention in detail for its implementation, they can of course be used to better define the invention where appropriate. It should also be noted that, in all the figures, similar elements and / or elements fulfilling the same function are indicated by the same numbering.

[0030] The electric vehicle 1, illustrated schematically on the figure 1 , comprises an electric motor 3 directly connected to a drive chain 5 of the electric vehicle 1. The electric motor 3 is configured to manage the propulsion of the vehicle. The electric motor 3 is electrically powered by a main battery 7. The current supplied by the main battery 7 is a direct current which is converted by a first converter 9 into an alternating current suitable for the electric motor 3.

[0031] The main battery 7 is capable of keeping a quantity of electrical energy in reserve in order to supply it to the electric motor 3 when the need arises. The charge level NC of the main battery 7 decreases when the electric motor 3 is in operation and the main battery 7 is not recharged in parallel. The rate of consumption of electrical energy by the electric motor 3 may vary depending on several parameters related to the vehicle, for example the speed at which the vehicle is traveling or the equipment used or the heating and / or air conditioning of the passenger compartment. The main battery 7 is for example a Lithium ion battery.

[0032] The electric vehicle 1 further comprises a service battery 11 for operating the accessories 15, for example lighting devices, and / or computers 17 of the electric vehicle 1 and / or the heating device 61 of a passenger compartment of the electric vehicle 1. The heating device 61 comprises a convection radiator and / or a heat pump. The service battery 11 is recharged by the main battery 7 by converting the high voltage direct current, for example 330 V, from the main battery 7 into a low voltage direct current, for example 14 V, using a second converter 13.

[0033] The main battery 7 can be recharged by an external energy source 21, 23. An external energy source 21, 23 can be an alternating current coming from a home power outlet 21 which must be rectified using a third converter 25 internal to the electric car 1. An external energy source 21, 23 can also be a direct current coming from a supercharger 23 which does not need to go through a converter.

[0034] The electric vehicle 1 also has a range extender 31, i.e. a generator intended to increase the range of the electric vehicle 1 by recharging the main battery 7. The range extender 31 and the main battery 7 are configured to power the drive train 5. The range extender 31 is electrically in parallel with the main battery 7.

[0035] The range extender 31 comprises a fuel cell system 33, a compressor 37, at least one tank of a reducing fuel 39 and a cooling system 41. The fuel cells 33 are capable of producing an electrical power PEL by oxidation between the oxygen present in the air and supplied by the compressor 37 and the reducing fuel, for example hydrogen, contained in the tanks 39. The electrical power PEL is then transmitted via an inverter 35 to the electric motor. This electrical power PEL is also used to recharge the main battery 7 of the electric vehicle 1.

[0036] The oxidation reaction that occurs in the fuel cells 33 during operation of the range extender generates calories that are discharged by the cooling system 41. The cooling system 41 comprises a coolant that circulates in a loop in a pipe 43 that transports the coolant between the fuel cell system 33 and a heat exchanger 47. The circulation of the refrigerant in the cooling system 41 is regulated by a pump 45. The heat exchanger 47 allows the refrigerant to discharge its calories with the air outside the electric vehicle 1 and / or with an air heater of the heating device 61. The air heater is in heat connection with the passenger compartment of the electric vehicle 1.Thus the calories produced concomitantly with the electrical power PEL by the fuel cells 33 can make it possible to heat the passenger compartment of the electric vehicle 1 without using the convection radiator and / or the heat pump.

[0037] The electric vehicle 1 comprises at least one electronic management system 51 which is configured to manage the energy and power flows between the different consumers using a plurality of sensors, for example a sensor for the charge level of the main battery 8 or a sensor for the operating state of the range extender 32. The electronic management system 51 can thus evaluate the electrical power and calorie requirements of the electric vehicle, for example, as a function of the position of the accelerator pedal and / or as a function of the charge level NC of the main battery 7 and / or as a function of a request for heating the passenger compartment of the vehicle and / or as a function of the operating state of the range extender 31.

[0038] The heating method 1000 of the passenger compartment of the electric vehicle1 will now be described. A flowchart of the heating method is illustrated in the figure 2 The heating method 1000 is implemented, in the illustrated embodiment, by the electronic management system of the electric vehicle 1.

[0039] The heating method 1000 can be initiated by receiving 1050 a request to heat the passenger compartment. This request can be sent by a user, i.e., the driver and / or one of the passengers. This request can also be automatically generated by the electronic management system 51 to maintain the temperature of the passenger compartment above a threshold temperature.

[0040] Upon receipt 1050 of this heating request, the heating method 1000 performs a step 1100 of detecting the charge level NC of the main battery 7 and a step 1200 of determining an operating state EA, EM of the range extender 31. The detection step 1100 and the determination step 1200 can be performed immediately one after the other or at the same time. In the example shown in the figure 2 , the detection step 1100 is carried out before the determination step 1200. In an embodiment not shown, the determination step is carried out before the detection step.

[0041] The charge level NC is measured by the main battery charge level sensor 8 which sends the information to the electronic management system 51. The charge level of the main battery 7 fluctuates between 0% and 100% of its maximum capacity depending on the use made of it.

[0042] The operating state EA, EM of the range extender 31 is provided to the electronic management system 51 by the sensor of the operating state of the range extender 32. In the present example, the range extender 31 can only adopt two operating states: an operating state EM, that is to say that it produces an electrical power PEL accompanied by a release of calories, or a stopping state EA, in which case the range extender 31 does not produce any electrical power.

[0043] A selection step 1300 is performed to choose between the electrical power supply by the main battery and the release of calories by the range extender 31 to heat the passenger compartment depending on the charge level of the battery 7 obtained in the detection step 1100 and the operating state EA, EM of the range extender 31 obtained in the determination step 1200.

[0044] The selection step 1300 is first performed by comparing, in a comparison sub-step 1400, the charge level NC of the main battery 7 which was detected in the detection step 1100 with a threshold level NS. For example, the threshold level NS is here 80% of the maximum charge of the main battery 7. This threshold level NS can be raised or lowered depending for example on the main battery technology used. There are then two possible scenarios, namely either the charge level NC is lower than the threshold level NS, or the charge level NC is higher than or equal to the threshold level NS.

[0045] This comparison sub-step 1400 can be carried out between the detection step 1100 and the determination step 1200 as in the example indicated in the figure 2 It can be carried out after or at the same time as the determination step 1200 as long as the detection step 1100 has been carried out.

[0046] Several scenarios may arise following the information obtained after the determination step 1200 and after the comparison sub-step 1400.

[0047] A first case is that the range extender 31 is in operating state EM and the charge level NC of the main battery 7 is greater than or equal to the threshold level NS. The calories released by the range extender 31 are then used for a heating operation of the passenger compartment, via the heating device 61. A second case is that the range extender 31 is in operating state EM and the charge level NC is lower than the threshold level NS. The calories released by the range extender 31 are then also transferred to the passenger compartment for the heating operation 1500, via the heating device 61. In other words, if the operating state EA, EM of the range extender 31 is the operating state EM, then the calories released by the range extender 31 are used to heat the passenger compartment regardless of the charge level NC of the main battery 7.Thus the electronic management system 51 selected the range extender 31 as the heat source for the passenger compartment.

[0048] A third case is that the range extender 31 is in the shutdown state EA and the charge level NC of the main battery 7 detected is greater than or equal to the threshold level NS, then the selection step 1300 results in choosing the main battery 7 to electrically power the heating device 61. The selection step 1300 comprises a control sub-step 1600 which consists of sending an instruction to the main battery 7 to power the heating device 61 with electricity. The convection radiator of the heating device 61 will then produce a thermal power which will heat the passenger compartment. The range extender 31 remains in the shutdown state EA.

[0049] The main battery 7 therefore discharges while powering the heating device 61. It may therefore be important to periodically measure the charge level of the main battery 7 during a measurement sub-step 1620 of the selection step 1300 while the main battery 7 electrically powers the heating device 61. After each measurement sub-step 1620, the comparison sub-step 1400 is carried out. If the charge level NC of the main battery 7 is greater than or equal to the threshold level NS, then 1660 the electronic management system 51 allows the main battery to continue to electrically power the heating device 61. On the other hand, if, during the comparison sub-step 1400, it is concluded that the charge level NC of the main battery 7 is less than the threshold level NS, then the selection step 1300 proceeds to a sub-step 1700 of putting the autonomy extender 31 into operating condition.The 1700 operational readiness sub-step will be described below.

[0050] A fourth case is that the operating state EA, EM of the detected range extender 31 is a stopped state EA and the charge level NC of the detected main battery 7 is lower than the threshold level NS, then the electronic management system 51 chooses the range extender 31 to respond to the request for heating the passenger compartment. Given that the range extender 31 is in the stopped state EA, the selection step 1300 includes a sub-step 1700 of putting the range extender 31 into operating state. The range extender 31 will then produce an electrical power PEL accompanied by a release of calories. The electrical power PEL produced can then be used to recharge the main battery 7 and / or to power the powertrain of the electric vehicle 1.

[0051] To optimize the energy consumed within the vehicle, it may be interesting to control, following the EM operation of the range extender 31, the exact quantity of electrical power PEL produced which will be used to recharge the main battery 7 and the calories released from which will be used to heat the passenger compartment. The start-up sub-step 1700 will, in this context, include a calculation phase 1710 of the PELC electrical power that the range extender 31 should produce during a heating duration DDC so as to release the calories to meet the heating request for the passenger compartment.

[0052] It is then appropriate to estimate the charge level NCE of the main battery 7 if it were recharged using the calculated electrical power PELC during the heating time DDC. This operation is carried out during an estimation phase 1720 of the operating state sub-step 1700.

[0053] If the estimated charge level NCE at the estimation phase 1720 is lower than a maximum charge level NM of the main battery 7, then the estimation phase 1720 is followed by a control phase 1730. During this control phase 1730 an instruction to produce electrical power PEL which must be equal to the calculated electrical power PELC is sent to the range extender 31. Thus the main battery 7 is recharged during the DDC duration. In addition, the calories thus produced will correspond to the calculated quantity of calories and the passenger compartment will therefore be heated during the DDC heating duration. The request to heat the passenger compartment will be honored.

[0054] If the calculated electrical power PELC leads to an estimated charge level NCE of the main battery 7 which is beyond the maximum charge level NM, then a part of the calculated electrical power would be lost assuming that an instruction was sent to the range extender to produce an electrical power PEL equal to the calculated electrical power PELC.

[0055] It is then appropriate, during an evaluation phase 1740, to evaluate the PELV electrical power to be produced by the range extender 31 so that the estimated charge level NCE of the main battery 7 is below the maximum charge level NM of the main battery 7 after the heating duration DDT. The PELV electrical power evaluated at the evaluation phase 1740 will logically be lower than the PELC electrical power calculated at the calculation phase 1710. The electricity consumption in the electric vehicle will thus be optimized. In return, the heating request cannot therefore be fully satisfied and a minimal temperature difference could be observed between the passenger compartment temperature obtained because the range extender produced the PELV electrical power evaluated and the passenger compartment temperature that would have been obtained if the range extender had produced the PELC electrical power calculated.

[0056] The evaluation phase 1740 is then followed by a control phase 1750 an instruction to produce electrical power PEL which must be equal to the evaluated electrical power PELV is sent to the range extender 31. Thus the main battery 7 is recharged during the heating duration DDC. Following the heating duration DDC, the charge level NC of the main battery 7 will be equal to + / - 5% of the maximum charge level of said main battery 7. In addition, the release of calories accompanying the generation of the electrical power which is equal to the evaluated electrical power PELV are transmitted to the passenger compartment during the heating duration DDC by the heating device 61.

[0057] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described and numerous adjustments can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0058] The invention, as just described, achieves the aim it set itself, and makes it possible to propose a method for heating the passenger compartment of an electric vehicle that can meet a passenger compartment heating demand while minimizing the impact on the quantity of energy on board and therefore on the vehicle's range.

Claims

1. Method (1000) for heating a passenger compartment of an electric vehicle (1) that comprises at least one main battery (7) that is configured to power electrically a powertrain (3) of the electric vehicle (1) and to participate in the supply of electrical power to a device (61) for heating the passenger compartment and to be recharged by an external power source (21, 23), a range extender (31) comprising at least one fuel cell (33) configured to generate, in an on state, electrical power (PEL) with a view to providing an AC electrical power supply to the powertrain (3) and / or to recharging the main battery (7), the generation of electrical power (PEL) by the range extender (31) being accompanied by a release of heat capable of being directed to the device (31) for heating the passenger compartment, said heating method (1000) comprising a step (1100) of detecting the level of charge (NC) of the main battery (7), a step (1200) of determining an operating state (EA, EM) of the range extender (31), a step (1300) of selecting between the supply of electrical power to the heating device (61) by the main battery (7) and the release of heat by the range extender (31) to heat the passenger compartment depending on the level of charge (NC) of the main battery (7) and on the operating state (EA, EM) of the range extender (31), the selecting step (1300) comprising a sub-step (1400) of comparing the detected level of charge (NC) of the main battery (7) and a threshold level (NS) above which the heat released by the range extender (31) may be used to heat the passenger compartment and below which the heat released by the range extender (31) is used to heat the passenger compartment and the electrical power (PEL) generated by the range extender (31) may be used to recharge the main battery (7).

2. Heating method (1000) according to the preceding claim, wherein, if the detected operating state (EA, EM) is the on state (EM), then the release of heat by the range extender (31) is used in an operation (1500) of heating the passenger compartment.

3. Heating method (1000) according to Claim 1, wherein, if the detected operating state (EA, EM) of the range extender (31) is an off state (EA), and if the detected level of charge (NC) of the main battery (7) is greater than or equal to the threshold level (NS), then the selecting step (1300) comprises a controlling sub-step (1600) in which an instruction to supply electricity to the heating device (61) is sent to the main battery (7) so that the passenger compartment is heated by the heating device (61).

4. Heating method (1000) according to Claim 1, wherein, if the operating state (EA, EM) of the detected range extender (31) is an off state (EA) and if the detected level of charge (NC) of the main battery (7) is less than the threshold level (NS), then the selecting step (1300) comprises a sub-step (1700) of starting up the range extender (31), and the heat then released by the range extender (31) is used to heat the passenger compartment.

5. Heating method (1000) according to Claim 4, wherein the starting-up sub-step (1700) comprises a phase (1710) of computing the electrical power (PELC) that the range extender (31) should generate during a heating period (DDC) so as to release the heat necessary for heating the passenger compartment during said heating period.

6. Heating method (1000) according to the preceding claim, wherein the starting-up sub-step (1700) comprises a phase (1720) of estimating the level of charge (NCE) of the main battery (7) after the heating period (DDE) if the computed electrical power (PELC) is used to recharge the main battery (7) throughout the heating period (DDC).

7. Heating method (1000) according to the preceding claim, wherein, if the level of charge (NCE) estimated in the estimating phase (1720) is less than a maximum level of charge (NM) of the main battery (7), then the estimating phase (1720) is followed by a controlling phase (1730) in which an instruction to generate the computed electrical power (PELC) is sent to the range extender (31) with a view to recharging the main battery (7) during the heating period (DDT).

8. Heating method (1000) according to Claim 6, wherein, if the level of charge (NCE) estimated in the estimating phase (1720) is greater than a maximum level of charge (NM) of the main battery (7), then a phase (1740) of evaluating the electrical power (PELV) to be generated by the range extender (31) is carried out with a view to recharging the main battery (7) during the heating period (DDC) so that the level of charge (NCV) of the main battery (7) is less than the maximum level of charge (NM) at the end of the heating period (DDC).

9. Heating method (1000) according to the preceding claim, wherein the evaluating phase (1740) is followed by a controlling phase (1750) in which an instruction to generate the evaluated electrical power (PELV) is sent to the range extender (31) with a view to recharging the main battery (7) during the heating period (DDC).

10. Electric vehicle (1) comprising at least one main battery (7) that is configured to power electrically a powertrain (5) of the electric vehicle and to be recharged by an external power source (21, 23), a range extender (31) comprising at least one fuel cell (33) configured to generate, in an on state, electrical power (PEL), the generation of electrical power (PEL) being accompanied by a release of heat, a device (61) for heating the passenger compartment, a sensor (8) of the level of charge of the main battery, a sensor (32) of the operating state of the range extender, and an electronic management system (51) intended to implement the method according to any one of the preceding claims.