A look-ahead road grade determination method for HEVs

This paper presents a look-ahead road grade determination method for use in energy management of hybrid electric vehicles. Data that is gathered from a digital map and vehicle sensors is used to predict the future road grade and longitudinal forces. The predicted information is employed to specify the near future traction force demand. A simulation is carried out using data associated with a 50 km section of a real highway for a typical vehicle. The results are presented and discussed.