Vehicle control system and method

Abstract

A control system or controller () for a vehicle (), the vehicle () comprising: at least one energy-consuming subsystem (), such as a battery cooling system (), for controlling a or a respective first vehicle operating parameter, e.g. the battery operating temperature, and actuation means for the subsystem () for activating or deactivating it in accordance with vehicle operational requirements; wherein the control system () is configured to: determine a value of a or a respective second vehicle operating parameter which is dependent on a location of the vehicle (), such as a distance (x, y) between a current location of the vehicle and a reference location, e.g. a driver's home or workplace, and control the actuation means of the subsystem () so as to deactivate the subsystem (), optionally for a prescribed period of time, in dependence on the value of the determined vehicle location-dependent second vehicle operating parameter. Since the reference location is optionally a location at which the vehicle is expected to be parked and so will not require active battery cooling, when the vehicle is within easy reach of that destination, e.g. according to current battery temperature or predicted drive time to that destination, the battery cooling system () can be temporarily deactivated, in order to save energy wastage and battery drain, and improve fuel economy and electric range. Embodiments are applicable to other energy-hungry vehicle systems, e.g. heating or cooling systems () of other vehicle components.