Dynamically limiting vehicle operation for best effort economy

• US 9,437,058 B2
• Filed: 07/26/2012
• Issued: 09/06/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gogoro Inc.
• Original Assignee: Gogoro Inc.
• Inventors: Luke, Hok-Sum Horace, Taylor, Matthew Whiting
• Primary Examiner(s): Troost, Aaron L
• Application Number:
  US13/559,264
• Publication Number:
  US 20130030630A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,503 Days
• Field of Search: 701/22, 701/123, 701/208, 165/42, 318/434
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/00 Supplying electric power to auxiliary equipment of vehicles circuit arrangements for charging batteries H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/003 to auxiliary motors, e.g. for pumps, compressors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/02 to electric heating circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/14 to electric lighting circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/2045 for optimising the use of energy
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/12 Bikes
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/24 Personal mobility vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/12 Buck converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/14 Boost converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/30 AC to DC converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/14 Synchronous machines
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/16 DC brushless machines
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/46 Wheel motors, i.e. motor connected to only one wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/12 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/14 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/26 Vehicle weight
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/421 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/423 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/427 Voltage
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/429 Current
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/525 : Temperature of converter or components thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/545 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/622 : by satellite navigation
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/642 : Slope of road
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/645 : Type of road
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/662 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/70 : Interactions with external data bases, e.g. traffic centres
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/10 : by alarm
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/16 : by display
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/18 : by enquiring driving style
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/20 : by driver identification
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/22 : by presence detection
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2260/44 : by parameter estimation
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2260/52 : drive range estimation, e.g. of estimation of available travel distance
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2270/34 : of parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2270/46 : Heat pumps, e.g. for cabin heating
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/003 : relating to inverters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0046 : relating to electric energy storage systems, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0061 : relating to electrical machines
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0069 : relating to the isolation, e.g. ground fault or leak current
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/12 : Recording operating variables ; Monitoring of operating variables
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/40 : using propulsion power supplied by capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/51 : characterised by AC-motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/60 : using power supplied by batteries in combination with fuel cells B60L50/75
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/64 : Constructional details of batteries specially adapted for electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/66 : Arrangements of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/11 : DC charging controlled by the charging station, e.g. mode 4
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/14 : Conductive energy transfer
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/305 : Communication interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/65 : involving identification of vehicles or their battery types
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/665 : Methods related to measuring, billing or payment
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/68 : Off-site monitoring or control, e.g. remote control
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/80 : Exchanging energy storage elements, e.g. removable batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 55/00 : Arrangements for supplying energy stored within a vehicle to a power network, i.e. vehicle-to-grid [V2G] arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/10 : for monitoring or controlling batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/12 : responding to state of charge [SoC]
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/16 : responding to battery ageing, e.g. to the number of charging cycles or the state of health [SoH]
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/21 : having the same nominal voltage
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/25 : by controlling the electric load
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/26 : by cooling
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/06 : for vehicles propelled by ac motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/14 : for vehicles propelled by ac motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/22 : Dynamic electric resistor braking, combined with dynamic electric regenerative braking
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 : operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0001 : with electric actuators; Constructional features thereof for vehicles E05B81/04
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/04 : Electrical electrical circuits E05B81/54
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/56 : Control of actuators
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3476 : using point of interest [POI] information, e.g. a route passing visible POIs
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3682 : output of POI information on a road map G01C21/3614, G01C21/3685 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/05 : Programmable logic controllers, e.g. simulating logic interconnections of signals according to ladder diagrams or function charts
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/15048 : Microprocessor
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/15053 : Microcontroller
• CPC Class Codes: G05F 1/66 : Regulating electric power
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0608 : Saving storage space on storage systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0638 : Organizing or formatting or addressing of data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0671 : In-line storage system
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 : Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0253 : During e-commerce, i.e. online transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0259 : based on store location
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0261 : based on user location
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 : Wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0639 : Item locations
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00769 : with data transmission performed by wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/00 : Registering or indicating the working of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0858 : wherein the data carrier is removable
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 : operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 15/003 : for electricity
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 15/005 : dispensed for the electrical charging of vehicles electrical charging as such, B60L50/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 15/006 : dispensed for the electrical charging of other devices than vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0042 : for hiring of objects
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/12 : comprising lockable containers, e.g. for accepting clothes to be cleaned
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/001 : Interfacing with vending machines using mobile or wearable devices
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/425 : Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing printed circuits H05K1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/4257 : Smart batteries, e.g. electronic circuits inside the housing of the cells or batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/441 : for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/482 : for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2010/4271 : Battery management systems including electronic circuits, e.g. control of current or voltage to keep battery in healthy state, cell balancing
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2010/4278 : Systems for data transfer from batteries, e.g. transfer of battery parameters to a controller, data transferred between battery controller and main controller
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/20 : Batteries in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/30 : Batteries in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 11/00 : Circuit arrangements for providing service supply to auxiliaries of stations in which electric power is generated, distributed or converted
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 4/00 : Circuit arrangements for mains or distribution networks not specified as ac or dc
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 : Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00036 : Charger exchanging data with battery
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00045 : Authentication, i.e. circuits for checking compatibility between one component, e.g. a battery or a battery charger, and another component, e.g. a power source
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0013 : acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially H02J7/1423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0045 : concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/007 : Regulation of charging or discharging current or voltage
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/00 : Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 : Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 : Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 : Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 : Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 : Electric energy management in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/92 : Energy efficient charging or discharging systems for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors specially adapted for vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 : Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 : Plug-in electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 : Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/167 : Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for supporting the interoperability of electric or hybrid vehicles, i.e. smartgrids as interface for battery charging of electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV]
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 10/126 : the energy generation units being or involving electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV], i.e. power aggregation of EV or HEV, vehicle to grid arrangements [V2G]
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 30/12 : Remote or cooperative charging
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 30/14 : Details associated with the interoperability, e.g. vehicle recognition, authentication, identification or billing
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 50/10 : Energy trading, including energy flowing from end-user application to grid
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 50/14 : Marketing, i.e. market research and analysis, surveying, promotions, advertising, buyer profiling, customer management or rewards
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7062 : Electrical type [e.g., solenoid]

Abstract

Vehicle operation (e.g., speed, acceleration) may be limited based on various conditions such as a current charge condition of an electrical energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, super- or ultracapacitors), history of such, conditions related to the vehicle (e.g., mileage, weight, size, drag coefficient), a driver or operator of the vehicle (e.g., history with respect to speed, acceleration, mileage) and/or environmental conditions (e.g., ambient temperature, terrain). A controller may control operation of one or more power converters to limit current and/or voltage supplied to a traction electric motor, accordingly.

Claims

1. A method of operating a vehicle having a prime mover powered by a main electrical power storage device, the method comprising:

determining an estimated range of the vehicle based at least in part on at least one electrical characteristic of the main electrical power storage device at a present time;

determining at least an estimate of at least one travel distance between a present location and at least one destination;

comparing the determined travel distance with the determined estimated range, wherein the comparing the determined travel distance with the determined estimated range includes determining whether the estimated range is within a defined threshold of the determined travel distance, the defined threshold determined based on one or more of;

operation or condition of the vehicle at the present time and operation or condition of a driver of the vehicle at the present;

receiving information regarding a determination made by a backend system located remotely from the vehicle whether to limit an operational characteristic of the prime mover of the vehicle based at least in part on a result of the comparison of the determined travel distance and the determined estimated range, wherein the determining an estimated range of the vehicle based at least in part on at least one electrical characteristic of the main electrical power storage device at a present time includes the backend system located remotely from the vehicle determining the estimated range of the vehicle based at least in part on a historical profile for the main electrical power storage device;

receiving a determination made by the backend system located remotely from the vehicle to not limit the operational characteristic of the prime mover of the vehicle based at least in part on a result of the comparison of the determined travel distance and the determined estimated range;

determining a new estimated range of the vehicle;

determining a new estimate of at least one travel distance between a new present location and at least one new destination;

receiving a determination made by the backend system located remotely from the vehicle to limit an operational characteristic of the prime mover of the vehicle based at least in part on a comparison between the determined travel distance with the determined new estimated range; and

limiting the operational characteristic of the prime mover of the vehicle in response to the determination made by the backend system located remotely from the vehicle to limit the operational characteristic of the prime mover of the vehicle.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

limiting, by a controller in a control circuit in the vehicle, at least one operational characteristic of the prime mover of the vehicle in response to the determination made by the backend system located remotely from the vehicle.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein limiting at least one operational characteristic of the prime mover of the vehicle in response to the determination made by the backend system located remotely from the vehicle includes limiting a speed of the vehicle.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein limiting at least one operational characteristic of the prime mover of the vehicle in response to the determination made by the backend system located remotely from the vehicle includes limiting an acceleration of the vehicle.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the prime mover is an electric motor, and further comprising:

limiting, by a controller in a control circuit in the vehicle, a voltage supplied to the electric motor of the vehicle in response to the backend system located remotely from the vehicle determining that the determined travel distance is more than the determined estimated range.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the prime mover is an electric motor, and further comprising:

limiting, by a controller in a control circuit in the vehicle, a current supplied to the electric motor of the vehicle in response to the backend system located remotely from the vehicle determining that the determined travel distance is more than the determined estimated range.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

adjusting, by a controller in a control circuit in the vehicle, a temperature of the main electrical power storage device in response to the backend system located remotely from the vehicle determining that the determined travel distance is more than the determined estimated range.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

ceasing, by a controller in a control circuit in the vehicle, a supply of power to at least one non-essential component of the vehicle in response to the backend system located remotely from the vehicle determining that the determined travel distance is more than the determined estimated range.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein determining an estimated range of the vehicle based at least in part on at least one electrical characteristic of the main electrical power storage device at a present time includes the backend system located remotely from the vehicle determining the estimated range of the vehicle based at least in part on a charge level of the main electrical power storage device at the present time.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein determining an estimated range of the vehicle based at least in part on at least one electrical characteristic of the main electrical power storage device at a present time includes the backend system located remotely from the vehicle determining the estimated range of the vehicle based at least in part on at least one characteristic of the vehicle.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein determining an estimated range of the vehicle based at least in part on at least one electrical characteristic of the main electrical power storage device at a present time includes the backend system located remotely from the vehicle determining the estimated range of the vehicle based at least in part on a historical driving pattern of the vehicle.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein determining an estimated range of the vehicle based at least in part on at least one electrical characteristic of the main electrical power storage device at a present time includes the backend system located remotely from the vehicle determining the estimated range of the vehicle based at least in part on a historical driving pattern of a driver of the vehicle at the present time.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein determining an estimated range of the vehicle based at least in part on at least one electrical characteristic of the main electrical power storage device at a present time includes the backend system located remotely from the vehicle determining the estimated range of the vehicle based at least in part on a least one environmental parameter of an environment in which the vehicle is operated at the present time.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein determining at least an estimate of at least one travel distance between a present location and at least one destination includes the backend system located remotely from the vehicle determining a travel distance between the present location and at least one location having a replacement for the main electrical power storage device.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein determining at least an estimate of at least one travel distance between a present location and at least one destination includes the backend system located remotely from the vehicle determining a shortest distance between the present location and the at least one destination on roads along which the vehicle may travel.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein determining at least an estimate of at least one travel distance between a present location and at least one destination includes the backend system located remotely from the vehicle accounting for at least one elevational change between the present location and the at least one destination.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein comparing the determined travel distance with the determined estimated range includes the backend system located remotely from the vehicle determining whether the estimated range is within the defined threshold of the determined travel distance.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the determination made by the backend system located remotely from the vehicle of whether to limit an operational characteristic of the prime mover of the vehicle based at least in part on a result of the comparison of the determined travel distance and the determined estimated range includes a determination made by the backend system located remotely from the vehicle whether to limit at least one of a speed or an acceleration of the vehicle in response to the estimated range being within the defined threshold of the determined travel distance.

19. A vehicle, comprising:

a prime mover coupled to drive at least one wheel of the vehicle;

a main electrical power storage device that stores power;

a power supply coupled and operable to selectively transfer electrical power between the main electrical power storage device and the prime mover; and

a controller communicatively coupled to control the power supply, wherein the controller receives a determination made by a backend system located remotely from the vehicle to not limit an operational characteristic of the prime mover of the vehicle based at least in part on a result of a comparison of a determined travel distance and a determined estimated range made by the backend system located remotely form the vehicle, wherein comparison of the determined travel distance with the determined estimated range includes a determination of whether the estimated range is within a defined threshold of the determined travel distance, the defined threshold determined based on one or more of;

operation or condition of the vehicle at the present time and operation or condition of a driver of the vehicle at the present time, wherein the controller limits at least one operational characteristic of the prime mover of the vehicle in response to a result of a determination by the backend system located remotely from the vehicle to limit the operational characteristic of the prime mover of the vehicle based on a determination made of a new estimated range of the vehicle based at least in part on a historical profile for the main electrical power storage device and a comparison by the backend system located remotely from the vehicle of the new determined estimated range of the vehicle at a present time and a new determined travel distance between a present location of the vehicle and at least one destination.

20. The vehicle of claim 19 wherein the controller further:

sends information to the backend system located remotely from the vehicle for the backend system to determine the estimated range of the vehicle based at least in part on at least one electrical characteristic of the main electrical power storage device at the present time;

sends information to the backend system located remotely from the vehicle for the backend system to determine the travel distance between a present location and at least one destination; and

receives information from the backend system located remotely from the vehicle as result of a determination made by the backend system of whether to limit the operational characteristic of the prime mover of the vehicle based at least in part on the result of the comparison by the backend system located remotely from the vehicle of the determined travel distance and the determined estimated range.

21. The vehicle of claim 19 wherein the prime mover is an electric motor and the controller applies control signals to the power supply that limit a voltage supplied to the electric motor of the vehicle in response to a determination by the backend system of whether to limit the operational characteristic.

22. The vehicle of claim 19 wherein the prime mover is an electric motor and the controller applies control signals to the power supply that limit a current supplied to the electric motor of the vehicle in response to a determination by the backend system of whether to limit the operational characteristic.

23. The vehicle of claim 19 wherein the controller ceases a supply of power to at least one non-essential component of the vehicle in response to a determination by the backend system of whether to limit the operational characteristic.

24. The vehicle of claim 19 wherein the backend system determines the estimated range of the vehicle based at least in part on a charge level of the main electrical power storage device at the present time of whether to limit the operational characteristic.

25. The vehicle of claim 19 wherein the backend system determines the estimated range of the vehicle based at least in part on at least one characteristic of the vehicle.

26. The vehicle of claim 19 wherein the backend system determines the estimated range of the vehicle based at least in part on a historical driving pattern of the vehicle.

27. The vehicle of claim 19 wherein the backend system determines the estimated range of the vehicle based at least in part on a historical driving pattern of a driver of the vehicle at the present time.

28. The vehicle of claim 19 wherein the backend system determines the estimated range of the vehicle based at least in part on a least one environmental parameter of an environment in which the vehicle is operated at the present time.

29. The vehicle of claim 19 wherein the backend system determines the estimated range of the vehicle based at least in part on at least one elevational change between the present location and the at least one destination.

30. The vehicle of claim 19 wherein the controller determines the travel distance between the present location and at least one location having a replacement for the main electrical power storage device.

31. The vehicle of claim 19 wherein the controller determines a shortest distance between the present location and the at least one destination along roads along which the vehicle may travel.

32. The vehicle of claim 19 wherein the controller determines whether the estimated range is within the defined threshold of the determined travel distance.

33. The vehicle of claim 19 wherein the controller limits at least one of a speed or an acceleration of the vehicle in response to the estimated range being within the defined threshold of the determined travel distance.

34. The vehicle of claim 19, wherein:

the controller determines whether an operator of the vehicle has selected to override the limiting of the at least one operational characteristic of the prime mover of the vehicle that was performed in response to the determination by the backend system located remotely from the vehicle to limit the operational characteristic of the prime mover of the vehicle; and

if the controller determines that the operator of the vehicle has selected to override the limiting of the at least one operational characteristic of the prime mover of the vehicle, then the controller stops the limiting of the at least one operational characteristic of the prime mover of the vehicle in response to the determination that the operator of the vehicle has selected to override the limiting of the at least one operational characteristic of the prime mover of the vehicle.

35. The vehicle of claim 34, further comprising:

an operable control that allows the operator to make the selection to override the limiting of the at least one operational characteristic of the prime mover of the vehicle that was performed in response to the determination by the backend system located remotely from the vehicle.

36. A method in a backend system for limiting vehicle operation located remotely from the vehicle, the method comprising:

comparing, by a controller in the backend system for limiting vehicle operation located remotely from the vehicle, a determined estimated range of the vehicle with a determined travel distance between a present location of the vehicle and at least one destination of the vehicle, wherein comparing the determined travel distance with the determined estimated range includes determining whether the estimated range is within a defined threshold of the determined travel distance, the defined threshold determined based on one or more of;

operation or condition of the vehicle at the present time and operation or condition of a driver of the vehicle at the present time; and

determining, by the controller in the backend system for limiting vehicle operation located remotely from the vehicle, to not limit an operational characteristic of the prime mover of the vehicle based at least in part on a historical profile for a-the main electrical power storage device of the vehicle and a result of the comparison of the determined estimated range and the determined travel distance;

sending, by the controller in the backend system for limiting vehicle operation located remotely from the vehicle, the determination made by the backend system to not limit the operational characteristic of the prime mover of the vehicle;

comparing, by the controller in the backend system for limiting vehicle operation located remotely from the vehicle, a new determined estimated range of the vehicle with a new determined travel distance between a new present location of the vehicle and at least one destination of the vehicle;

determining, by the controller in the backend system for limiting vehicle operation located remotely from the vehicle, to limit the operational characteristic of the prime mover of the vehicle based at least in part on the historical profile for a main electrical power storage device of the vehicle and a result of the comparison of the new determined estimated range and the new determined travel distance; and

limiting, by the controller in the backend system for limiting vehicle operation located remotely from the vehicle, at least one operational characteristic of the prime mover of the vehicle in response to the determination made by the backend system to limit the operational characteristic of the prime mover of the vehicle.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the limiting includes:

sending information from the backend system to the vehicle to cause the vehicle to limit the operational characteristic of the prime mover in response to the determination of whether to limit an operational characteristic of the prime mover of the vehicle made by the backend system.

38. The method of claim 36, further comprising:

determining, by a controller in the backend system for limiting vehicle operation located remotely from the vehicle, the estimated range of the vehicle based at least in part on at least one electrical characteristic of a main electrical power storage device of the vehicle at a present time.

39. The method of claim 36, further comprising:

determining, by a controller in the backend system for limiting vehicle operation located remotely from the vehicle, at least an estimate of at least one travel distance between the present location of the vehicle and the at least one destination of the vehicle.

40. A method of operating a vehicle having a prime mover powered by a main electrical power storage device, the method comprising:

determining a current status of the main electrical power storage device; and

determining whether to limit an operational characteristic of the prime mover of the vehicle based at least in part on a result of the determined current status of the main electrical power storage device and a determination of whether an estimated range of the vehicle at a present time is within a defined threshold of a determined travel distance, the defined threshold determined based on one or more of;

operation or condition of the vehicle at the present time and operation or condition of a driver of the vehicle at the present time, wherein the determination of whether to limit an operational characteristic of the prime mover of the vehicle is a determination made by a backend system located remotely from the vehicle to not limit the operational characteristic of the prime mover of the vehicle.

41. The method of claim 40 wherein the status of the main electrical power storage device is regarding a current charge condition of the main electrical power storage device.

42. The method of claim 40 wherein the determination of whether to limit an operational characteristic of the prime mover of the vehicle based at least in part on a result of the determined current status of the main electrical power storage device is made by the backend system located remotely from the vehicle.