Systems and methods for automated dispatch of mobile charging resources

Abstract

Apparatuses, systems and methods for dispatching mobile charging resources by receiving information regarding a route of travel (105) for an electric vehicle (100) and at least one of: an initial state of charge (SOC1) of the electric vehicle, and a projected state of charge (SOC3) of the electric vehicle at a point along the route of travel (105); determining a required minimum state of charge (SOC4) for the electric vehicle at a predetermined point along the route; receiving inputs regarding at least one available mobile charging resource (MCR), including at least one of: an available energy (Eav) and charging rate (P) of the mobile charging resource (MCR) and location (C) of the mobile charging resource (MCR); determining a dispatch for the at least one mobile charging resource (MCR), the dispatch including at least: a charging location (102) along the route of travel (105) and energy to be delivered to the electric vehicle (SOC4 – SOC3), the dispatch being based upon at least: the route of travel (105), the initial state of charge (SOC1) and / or projected state of charge (SOC3), and required minimum state of charge for the at least one electric vehicle (SOC4); transmitting the determined charging location and energy to be delivered.

Description

[0001] SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AUTOMATED DISPATCH OF MOBILE CHARGING RESOURCES TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to the automated generation of dispatch instructions for mobile charging resources, such as mobile battery storage used to charge electric vehicles. The disclosure relates particularly, though not exclusively, to systems and methods for incorporating a series of constraints to calculate an optimized dispatch for mobile charging resources.

[0003] BACKGROUND

[0004] This section illustrates useful background information without admission of any technique described herein representative of the state of the art.

[0005] The rapid adoption of electric vehicles has caused a corresponding need for new infrastructure to charge said vehicles. While many vehicles can be charged from existing infrastructure, some vehicles require more rapid charging so as to serve in their intended roles. For example, an electric bus may require at least 300 kW of power so as to charge in a reasonable time. Depending on the distribution network available at a proposed charging location, such power requirements may mean 200 A or greater service. Such services are not supported at all locations of a distribution network and thus providing sufficient charging for various electric vehicles often requires investment and redesign of distribution networks. Such investment and redesign, when it is even possible, often requires a great deal of time and capital to complete.

[0006] Transportation now represents the largest portion of total emissions. As such, many areas are seeking to electrify greater portions of the transportation sector. But as outlined above, charging infrastructure can delay, if not make nearly impossible, the adoption of electrified transport. Further, electric vehicles, such as electric busses, typically have a shorter range between charging than internal combustion vehicles have range between refuelling. For example, a mass transit system seeking to employ electric busses may need to replace a single internal combustion powered bus with some multiple of electric busses due to the decreased range requiring repeated trips to charging infrastructure. Therefore, the incorporation of electric vehicles often faces challenges as the existing system cannotaccommodate shorter ranges either through a lack of infrastructure or dispatch methods. Therefore, there is a need for alternative charging infrastructures for electric vehicles and dispatching systems for such alternative infrastructures.

[0007] SUMMARY

[0008] The appended claims define the scope of protection. Any examples and technical descriptions of apparatuses, products and / or methods in the description and / or drawings not covered by the claims are presented not as embodiments of the invention but as background art or examples useful for understanding the invention.

[0009] At least some embodiments of the present invention find use in optimizing and automating dispatch of mobile charging resources in mass transit systems. For example, a transit system seeking to employ electric busses may face the difficult if not impossible task of planning fixed charging infrastructure which can account for bus routes and operations. Similarly, a cargo system employing electric vehicles, such as trucks, could face difficulties in deploying electric vehicles in place of internal combustion vehicles. However, by employing mobile charging resources which are automatically dispatched, the transit system may adjust routing, and account for other factors such as driver / operator break requirements, as if the electric bus is an internal combustion powered bus. For example, without the dispatch of mobile charging resources, a bus company or transit system may require busses make additional trips just to charge. If such trips are around 60 km a day, the costs per year can add up to almost 150000 €, not to mention the capital costs associated with purchasing additional buses to cover the buses out of service to charge. In such an example, the systems and methods proposed herein provide for up to 200000 € in savings for a single bus company or transit system per year per bus route, not to mention the saved emissions from the avoided round trips. Aspects of the present invention find use in a wide variety of electric vehicles, including battery electric vehicles and plug in hybrid electric vehicles. For example, electric cars, trucks, buses, and boats.

[0010] According to a first example aspect there is provided an apparatus for dispatching mobile charging resources, the apparatus comprising: at least one memory comprising computer executable program code; and at least one processor configured cause the apparatus to perform, when executing the program code, at least:

[0011] receive information regarding a route of travel (105) for an electric vehicle (100) and at least one of: an initial state of charge (SOC1) of the electricvehicle, and a projected state of charge (SOC3) of the electric vehicle at a point along the route of travel (105);

[0012] determine a required minimum state of charge (SOC4) for the electric vehicle at a predetermined point along the route;

[0013] receive inputs regarding at least one available mobile charging resource (MCR), including at least one of: an available energy (Eav) and charging rate (P) of the mobile charging resource (MCR) and location (C) of the mobile charging resource (MCR);

[0014] determine a dispatch for the at least one mobile charging resource (MCR), the dispatch including at least: a charging location (102) along the route of travel (105) and energy to be delivered to the electric vehicle (SOC4 - SOC3), the dispatch being based upon at least:

[0015] ■ the route of travel (105),

[0016] ■ the initial state of charge (SOC1) and / or projected state of charge (SOC3), and

[0017] ■ required minimum state of charge for the at least one electric vehicle (SOC4);

[0018] transmit the determined charging location and energy to be delivered.

[0019] According to a second example aspect there is provided a computer implemented method for dispatching mobile charging resources, the method comprising at least the following steps:

[0020] receiving information regarding a route of travel (105) for an electric vehicle (100) and at least one of: an initial state of charge (SOC1) of the electric vehicle, and a projected state of charge (SOC3) of the electric vehicle at a point along the route of travel (105);

[0021] determining a required minimum state of charge (SOC4) for the electric vehicle at a predetermined point along the route;

[0022] receiving inputs regarding at least one available mobile charging resource (MCR), including at least one of: an available energy (Eav) and charging rate (P) of the mobile charging resource (MCR) and location (C) of the mobile charging resource (MCR);determining a dispatch for the at least one mobile charging resource (MCR), the dispatch including at least: a charging location (102) along the route of travel (105) and energy to be delivered to the electric vehicle (SOC4 - SOC3), the dispatch being based upon at least:

[0023] ■ the route of travel (105),

[0024] ■ the initial state of charge (SOC1) and / or projected state of charge (SOC3), and

[0025] ■ required minimum state of charge for the at least one electric vehicle (SOC4);

[0026] transmitting the determined charging location and energy to be delivered. According to a third example aspect there is provided a computer program comprising computer executable program code which when executed by at least one processor causes an apparatus at least to perform the method steps of the second example aspect.

[0027] According to a fourth example aspect there is provided a computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium having the computer program of the third example aspect stored thereon.

[0028] According to a fifth example aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising means for performing the method of any preceding aspect.

[0029] According to a sixth example aspect there is provided a system comprising:

[0030] an apparatus according to the first example aspect;

[0031] at least one electric vehicle; and

[0032] a mobile charging resource;

[0033] wherein the apparatus is configured to transmit the dispatch to at least one of the electric vehicle and mobile charging resource.

[0034] Any foregoing memory medium may comprise a digital data storage such as a data disc or diskette; optical storage; magnetic storage; holographic storage; opto-magnetic storage; phase-change memory; resistive random-access memory; magnetic random-access memory; solid-electrolyte memory; ferroelectric random-access memory; organic memory; or polymer memory. The memory medium may be formed into a device without other substantial functions than storing memory or it may be formed as part of a device with other functions, including but not limited to a memory of a computer; a chip set; and a subassembly of an electronic device.

[0035] Different non-binding example aspects and embodiments have been illustrated in the foregoing. The embodiments in the foregoing are used merely to explain selected aspects or steps that may be utilized in different implementations. Some embodiments may be presented only with reference to certain example aspects. It should be appreciated that corresponding embodiments may apply to other example aspects as well.

[0036] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0037] Some example embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

[0038] Fig. 1 schematically shows a system according to an example embodiment;

[0039] Fig. 2 shows a block diagram of an apparatus according to an example embodiment; Fig. 3 shows a flow chart according to an example embodiment.

[0040] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] In the following description, like reference signs denote like elements or steps.

[0042] Within the present description, the term battery will be used to represent any electrical energy storage means. Embodiments of the present invention find use with any electrical storage means and the term battery has been used to simplify the description.

[0043] At least some embodiments of the present invention provide for an apparatus comprising: at least one memory comprising computer executable program code; and at least one processor configured cause the apparatus to perform, when executing the program code, at least perform the following as also illustrated with Figure 1.

[0044] Receive information regarding a route of travel 105 for an electric vehicle 100 and at least one of: an initial state of charge, SOC1, of the electric vehicle, and a projected state of charge, SOC3, of the electric vehicle at a point along the route of travel, 105. This receipt of information may be, for example, from the electric vehicle itself via a communications network. The information may also be received by retrieving data from a database, such as a database containing historical or predetermined data. For example, a database may comprise planned routes for a transit system or known routes between given destinations. The initial state of charge may be a current state of charge, for example a current state of charge received from the electric vehicle or a state of charge the electric vehicle will have before embarking on the route of travel.

[0045] Information regarding the route of travel and other parameters may be received, forexample, from the electric vehicle either directly or indirectly. In at least some instances a computer of the electric vehicle may be configured to transmit said information via a communications network. In such a fashion the driver of the electric vehicle can select new routes at any time and the dispatch of mobile charging resource(s) can be updated in real time. For example, a driver encountering a detour or traffic delays could select to take a different route and this selection would cause information regarding the route of travel to be transmitted, and thus received, by the dispatching apparatus.

[0046] The projected state of charge can be derived from a variety of sources in a variety of fashions. For example, the projected state of charge may be based on historical data regarding the route and electric vehicle. The projected state of charge may be calculated using historical, projected or supplied data regarding the electric vehicle performance. Determine a required minimum state of charge, SOC4, for the electric vehicle at a predetermined point along the route. For example, the required minimum state of charge could be such that the electric will arrive at a destination, B, at a given state of charge SOC2. As further examples, such a required minimum state of charge can be determined as: the energy necessary to complete the route; the energy necessary to arrive at a predetermined point at a predetermined state of charge; or the minimum state of charge which still allows for a predetermined minimum rate of charge. Such a determination may include, for example, retrieving preset values for a minimum state of charge. The determination may also include a safety factor which can be adjusted to account for variance in the various systems. Such preset values or safety factors may also be used to minimize charging stops. Receive inputs regarding at least one available mobile charging resource, MCR, including at least one of: an available energy, Eav, and charging rate, P, of the mobile charging resource, MCR, and location, C, of the mobile charging resource, MCR. In at least some embodiments the mobile charging resource can be assumed to have sufficient energy and thus an available energy may not be required, simplify calculation and allowing for automated dispatch with lower computational needs. Similarly, the charging rate, P, and / or location may not be needed if the dispatch assumes an overnight charging stop, or that the dispatch is determined sufficiently in advance that the MCR will be able to arrive at the predetermined charging location, for example.

[0047] Determine a dispatch for the at least one mobile charging resource, MCR, the dispatch including at least: a charging location, 102, along the route of travel, 105, and energy to be delivered to the electric vehicle, SOC4 - SOC3 in terms of Figure 1, the dispatch being based upon at least: the route of travel, 105; the current state of charge, SOC1 and / orprojected state of charge, SOC3; and required minimum state of charge for the at least one electric vehicle, SOC4. In at least some embodiments the energy to be delivered can be represented by, for example: a charging time, change in SoC for the electric vehicle, energy from the MCR, energy to the vehicle, or similar. In some embodiments, the energy to be delivered is determined as the energy necessary for the electric vehicle to complete the route of travel. In certain embodiments the energy to be delivered is determined based upon a charging curve of the electric vehicle which is then compared to a calculated state of charge at the charging location.

[0048] In at least some embodiments determining a dispatch may also be referenced as determining a dispatch order, a dispatch schedule, dispatch instruction or dispatch instructions.

[0049] Transmit the determined charging location and energy to be delivered.

[0050] Aspects of the current invention also provide for a method comprising at least the above steps. Such methods may be performed, for example, on a mobile device, server, the mobile charging resource ort the electric vehicle itself.

[0051] Figure 1 illustrates a system employing the methods and apparatuses described herein and will be described briefly here. A mobile charging resource, or MCR, is illustrated at location C. The MCR has an available energy, Eav, and rate of charging P. In certain embodiments the rate of charging is representative of a max charging rate, in some cases, it is representative of a dynamic charging rate. In at least some embodiments the rate of charging is represented by a charging curve which accounts for the state of charge of an energy storage device connected for charging. The route of travel 105 of the electric vehicle 100 is represented by the line between location A and location B. As denoted, location B need not be a terminus of the route but can be another point at which a minimum state of charge is desired. As seen, the electric vehicle 100 begins at point A with an initial state of charge SOC1, as it travels along the route 105 the state of charge decreases until arriving at the charging location 102 where the electric vehicle arrives at SOC3. At charging point 102 the electric vehicle 100 is charged until SOC4 at which point it departs along the route of travel to point B, arriving at SOC2 due to the charging accomplished by the MCR at charging point 102.

[0052] In at least some embodiments the received information and / or inputs are real-time information and / or inputs. For example, the information regarding a route of travel 105 for an electric vehicle 100 may be based on a routing routine or software which is updated in real-time based on the electric vehicle’s current location and a predetermined destination.As a further example, the initial state of charge, SOC1, of the electric vehicle may be received in real-time from the electric vehicle. In certain embodiments employing real-time data, an automated dispatch and or re-routing is provided. For example, re-routing of the mobile charging resources to account for changes in state of charge of the electric vehicle. Such as when an electric bus experiences a higher than anticipated load or adverse weather conditions requiring an earlier charge. In some embodiments, the initial state of charge is a current state of charge.

[0053] In at least some embodiments the apparatus performing the steps mentioned herein is incorporated into one of the mobile charging resource or electric vehicle. In certain embodiments the apparatus is a server located remotely from the mobile charging resource. Within certain embodiments, the projected state of charge is determined based on a received initial state of charge. In at least some embodiments, the projected state of charge is determined using at least one of: a weight of the electric vehicle, a weight or number of cargo or passengers of the electric vehicle, and efficiency of the electric vehicle.

[0054] Certain embodiments provide for the energy to be delivered to be determined based on charging rate limitations of the electric vehicle.

[0055] In certain embodiments the dispatch is determined taking into account other constraints, such as legal requirements, for example a driver rest requirement. Within some embodiments the dispatch is determined based on a retrieved traffic data, such as current traffic conditions or predicted traffic conditions. Within at least some embodiments the dispatch is automatically updated based on real-time information received from the electric vehicle. For example, a real-time location of the vehicle can be used to update the route of travel when a detour is detected. Sensors of the electric vehicle may also provide information regarding the load on the electric vehicle.

[0056] At least some embodiments provide for the dispatch of a plurality of electric vehicles and / or mobile charging resources. Within certain embodiments, a mobile charging resource is selected from amongst a plurality of mobile charging resources to be dispatched based at least one an available energy or charging rate of the selected mobile charging resource. In certain embodiments, weather data is retrieved and used to adjust the determination of the charging location and time based on the retrieved weather data. For example, temperature, rain, snow, accumulated fallen snow can all have an impact on an energy efficiency of an electric vehicle and thus cause the need for adjusting historical or predicted data. Further additional parameters considered in the dispatch may include, but are notlimited to: changes in energy requirements of the electric vehicle or mobile charging resource; weather conditions such as temperature, rain, snow, etc.; road conditions, including road works, surface type or condition, road profile; traffic conditions which may lead to a reduction in travel speed or long wait times due to congestion, potentially due to accidents; load which may change along the route of travel, such load being, for example, cargo and / or passengers.

[0057] In at least some embodiments the mobile charging resources are mobile battery charging stations and the current energy available is a state of charge of the mobile battery charging stations.

[0058] In certain embodiments, the information regarding the route of travel includes a plurality of locations and target arrival times for each of the locations.

[0059] At least one embodiments provides for a system comprising: an apparatus according previously described embodiments; at least one electric vehicle; and a mobile charging resource; wherein the apparatus is configured to transmit the dispatch to at least one of the electric vehicle and mobile charging resource.

[0060] Fig. 2 shows a block diagram of an apparatus 200 according to an example embodiment. The apparatus 200 comprises a communication interface 210; a processor 220; a user interface 230; and a memory 240.

[0061] The communication interface 210 comprises in an embodiment a wired and / or wireless communication circuitry, such as Ethernet; Wireless LAN; Bluetooth; GSM; CDMA; WCDMA; LTE; and / or 5G circuitry. The communication interface can be integrated in the apparatus 200 or provided as a part of an adapter, card or the like, that is attachable to the apparatus 200. The communication interface 210 may support one or more different communication technologies. The apparatus 200 may also or alternatively comprise more than one of the communication interfaces 210.

[0062] In this document, a processor may refer to a central processing unit (CPU); a microprocessor; a digital signal processor (DSP); a graphics processing unit; an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC); a field programmable gate array; a microcontroller; or a combination of such elements.

[0063] The user interface may comprise a circuitry for receiving input from a user of the apparatus 200, e.g., via a keyboard; graphical user interface shown on the display of the apparatus 200; speech recognition circuitry; or an accessory device; such as a headset; and for providing output to the user via, e.g., a graphical user interface or a loudspeaker.The memory 240 comprises a work memory 242 and a persistent memory 244 configured to store computer program code 246 and data 248. The memory 240 may comprise any one or more of: a read-only memory (ROM); a programmable read-only memory (PROM); an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM); a random-access memory (RAM); a flash memory; a data disk; an optical storage; a magnetic storage; a smart card; a solid-state drive (SSD); or the like. The apparatus 200 may comprise a plurality of the memories 240. The memory 240 may be constructed as a part of the apparatus 200 or as an attachment to be inserted into a slot; port; or the like of the apparatus 200 by a user or by another person or by a robot. The memory 240 may serve the sole purpose of storing data, or be constructed as a part of an apparatus 200 serving other purposes, such as processing data.

[0064] In at least some embodiments the electric vehicle is a battery electric vehicle.

[0065] A skilled person appreciates that in addition to the elements shown in Figure 2, the apparatus 200 may comprise other elements, such as microphones; displays; as well as additional circuitry such as input / output (I / O) circuitry; memory chips; application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC); processing circuitry for specific purposes such as source coding / decoding circuitry; channel coding / decoding circuitry; ciphering / deciphering circuitry; and the like. Additionally, the apparatus 200 may comprise a disposable or rechargeable battery (not shown) for powering the apparatus 200 if external power supply is not available.

[0066] Fig. 3 shows a flow chart according to an example embodiment. Fig. 3 illustrates a process comprising various possible steps including some optional steps while also further steps can be included and / or some of the steps can be performed more than once:

[0067] 310: receiving information regarding a route of travel (105) for an electric vehicle (100) and at least one of: an initial state of charge (SOC1) of the electric vehicle, and a projected state of charge (SOC3) of the electric vehicle at a point along the route of travel (105);

[0068] 320: determining a required minimum state of charge (SOC4) for the electric vehicle at a predetermined point along the route;

[0069] 330: receiving inputs regarding at least one available mobile charging resource (MCR), including at least one of: an available energy (Eav) and charging rate (P) of the mobile charging resource (MCR) and location (C) of the mobile charging resource (MCR);

[0070] 340: determining a dispatch for the at least one mobile charging resource (MCR), the dispatch including at least: a charging location (102) along the route of travel (105) andenergy to be delivered to the electric vehicle (SOC4 - SOC3), the dispatch being based upon at least: the route of travel (105), the initial state of charge (SOC1) and / or projected state of charge (SOC3), and required minimum state of charge for the at least one electric vehicle (SOC4);

[0071] 350: transmitting the determined charging location and energy to be delivered.

[0072] At least some embodiments provided for a computer implemented method.

[0073] Embodiments as described herein provide for utilization of electric vehicles without the need to wait for costly and time consuming infrastructure developments. At least some embodiments allow for the avoidance of redundant vehicles to account for charging time and or trips and thus also save not only emissions but capital expenditures.

[0074] Any of the afore described methods, method steps, or combinations thereof, may be controlled or performed using hardware; software; firmware; or any combination thereof. The software and / or hardware may be local; distributed; centralised; or any combination thereof. Moreover, any form of computing, including computational intelligence, may be used for controlling or performing any of the afore described methods, method steps, or combinations thereof. Computational intelligence may refer to, for example, any of artificial intelligence; neural networks; fuzzy logics; machine learning; genetic algorithms; evolutionary computation; or any combination thereof.

[0075] Various embodiments have been presented. It should be appreciated that in this document, words comprise; include; and contain are each used as open-ended expressions with no intended exclusivity.

[0076] The foregoing description has provided by way of non-limiting examples of particular implementations and embodiments a full and informative description of the best mode presently contemplated by the inventors for carrying out the invention. It is however clear to a person skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted to details of the embodiments presented in the foregoing, but that it can be implemented in other embodiments using equivalent means or in different combinations of embodiments without deviating from the characteristics of the invention.

[0077] Furthermore, some of the features of the afore-disclosed example embodiments may be used to advantage without the corresponding use of other features. As such, the foregoing description shall be considered as merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention, and not in limitation thereof. Hence, the scope of the invention is only restricted by the appended patent claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1.An apparatus for dispatching mobile charging resources, the apparatus comprising: at least one memory comprising computer executable program code; and at least one processor configured cause the apparatus to perform, when executing the program code, at least:receive information regarding a route of travel (105) for an electric vehicle (100) and at least one of: an initial state of charge (SOC1) of the electric vehicle, and a projected state of charge (SOC3) of the electric vehicle at a point along the route of travel (105);determine a required minimum state of charge (SOC4) for the electric vehicle at a predetermined point along the route;receive inputs regarding at least one available mobile charging resource (MCR), including at least one of: an available energy (Eav) and charging rate (P) of the mobile charging resource (MCR) and location (C) of the mobile charging resource (MCR);determine a dispatch for the at least one mobile charging resource (MCR), the dispatch including at least: a charging location (102) along the route of travel (105) and energy to be delivered to the electric vehicle (SOC4 - SOC3), the dispatch being based upon at least:■ the route of travel (105),■ the initial state of charge (SOC1) and / or projected state of charge (SOC3), and■ required minimum state of charge for the at least one electric vehicle (SOC4);transmit the determined charging location and energy to be delivered.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the received information and inputs are real-time information and / or inputs.

3. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the initial state of charge is a current state of charge.

4. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein processor and program code are further configured to determine the projected state of charge (SOC3) based on a received initial state of charge.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the projected state of charge is determined using at least one of: a weight of the electric vehicle, a weight or number of cargo or passengers of the electric vehicle, and efficiency of the electric vehicle.

6. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the energy to be delivered is determined based on at least one of charging rate limitations of the electric vehicle.

7. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the processor and program code are further configured to automatically update the dispatch based on real-time information received from the electric vehicle.

8. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the processor and program code are further configured to determine a dispatch for a plurality of electric vehicles and / or mobile charging resources.

9. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the processor and program code are further configured to select from amongst a plurality of mobile charging resources the mobile charging resource to be dispatched based at least one an available energy or charging rate of the selected mobile charging resource.

10. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the processor and program code are further configured to retrieve weather data and adjust the determination of the charging location and time based on the retrieved weather data.

11. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the mobile charging resources are mobile battery charging stations and the current energy available is a state of charge of the mobile battery charging stations.

12. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the information regarding the route of travel includes a plurality of locations and target arrival times for each of the locations.

13. A system comprising:an apparatus according to any preceding claim;at least one electric vehicle; anda mobile charging resource;wherein the apparatus is configured to transmit the dispatch to at least one of the electric vehicle and mobile charging resource.

14. A computer implemented method for dispatching mobile charging resources, the method comprising at least the following steps:receiving information regarding a route of travel (105) for an electric vehicle (100) and at least one of: an initial state of charge (SOC1) of the electric vehicle, and a projected state of charge (SOC3) of the electric vehicle at a point along the route of travel (105);determining a required minimum state of charge (SOC4) for the electric vehicle at a predetermined point along the route;receiving inputs regarding at least one available mobile charging resource (MCR), including at least one of: an available energy (Eav) and charging rate (P) of the mobile charging resource (MCR) and location (C) of the mobile charging resource (MCR);determining a dispatch for the at least one mobile charging resource (MCR), the dispatch including at least: a charging location (102) along the route of travel (105) and energy to be delivered to the electric vehicle (SOC4 - SOC3), the dispatch being based upon at least:■ the route of travel (105),■ the initial state of charge (SOC1) and / or projected state of charge (SOC3), and■ required minimum state of charge for the at least one electric vehicle (SOC4);transmitting the determined charging location and energy to be delivered.

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