Patent Publication Number: US-11041734-B2

Title: Systems and methods for optimizing a travel route of a hybrid-electric vehicle inside an emissions-free zone

Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     This disclosure generally relates to automobiles, and more particularly relates to hybrid-electric vehicles. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Gasoline-operated vehicles have been around for many years, and people have grown accustomed to using them for traveling long distances. Infrastructure for supporting the use of gasoline-operated vehicles has also been in place for many years. However, in recent years, people have begun to recognize the harmful effects of gasoline emissions and have started to use alternative forms of transport such as electric vehicles and hydrogen vehicles so as to avoid harmful emissions into the atmosphere. 
     The driving range of an electric vehicle is dependent on several factors such as battery technology, battery usage efficiency, and vehicle weight. Battery technology is being improved year after year, and the range of travel obtained by electric vehicles is also increasing correspondingly. Hand in hand with developmental efforts related to batteries and electric vehicles, attention is also being paid to providing infrastructure that can support the use of electric vehicles. Commercial establishments such as hotels and airports are beginning to provide charging stations where an electric vehicle can be charged conveniently and easily. Some municipalities are designating certain areas as emissions-free zones where it is against the law to operate a vehicle having a gasoline engine. 
     Car manufacturers are also doing their share in trying to help customers transition from gasoline-operated vehicles to electric vehicles. Towards this end, some car manufacturers have opted to take a two-step approach by manufacturing hybrid-electric vehicles while waiting on improvements in battery technologies that would make electric vehicles more attractive to customers. A hybrid-electric vehicle generally incorporates a gasoline engine as well as an electric motor. Typically, the hybrid-electric vehicle first uses a battery for operating the electric motor to move the hybrid-electric vehicle. The gasoline engine comes into play when the battery is drained to a point where it can no longer operate the motor. The battery may be automatically recharged by the use of a generator that is powered by the gasoline engine. When recharged adequately, the battery is brought back into service to operate the motor. Supplementing the use of a battery with a gasoline engine is a trade-off that provides certain advantages in terms of long-distance driving but fails to fully eliminate harmful emissions into the atmosphere. Furthermore, a driver of a hybrid-electric vehicle may avoid driving through an emissions-free zone for fear of the gasoline engine starting up and instead opt to drive around the emissions-free zone, thereby leading to a longer drive and more emissions into the atmosphere. It is therefore desirable to provide solutions that at least address the use of hybrid-electric vehicles inside emissions-free zones. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A detailed description is set forth below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The use of the same reference numerals may indicate similar or identical items. Various embodiments may utilize elements and/or components other than those illustrated in the drawings, and some elements and/or components may not be present in various embodiments. Elements and/or components in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. Throughout this disclosure, depending on the context, singular and plural terminology may be used interchangeably. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a first exemplary scenario pertaining to a travel route of a hybrid-electric vehicle in an emissions-free zone in accordance with the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a second exemplary scenario pertaining to a travel route of a hybrid-electric vehicle inside an emissions-free zone in accordance with the disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  shows some exemplary components of a travel route optimization system in accordance with the disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  shows an exemplary flowchart of a method to execute a delivery route by a hybrid-electric vehicle inside an emissions-free zone in accordance with the disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  shows an exemplary embodiment of a travel route optimization system in accordance with the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the disclosure are shown. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made to various embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents. The description below has been presented for the purposes of illustration and is not intended to be exhaustive or to be limited to the precise form disclosed. It should be understood that alternate implementations may be used in any combination desired to form additional hybrid implementations of the present disclosure. For example, any of the functionality described with respect to a particular component such as a first processor in a first computer may be performed by another component such as a second processor in another computer. Furthermore, while specific device characteristics have been described, embodiments of the disclosure may relate to numerous other device characteristics. Further, although embodiments have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as illustrative forms of implementing the embodiments. 
     Certain words and terms are used herein solely for convenience and such words and terms should be interpreted as referring to various objects and actions that are generally understood in various forms and equivalencies by persons of ordinary skill in the art. For example, words such as “automobile” and “vehicle” can be used interchangeably. The phrase “emissions-free zone” as used herein should be generally understood as equivalent to other phrases such as “electric-vehicle (EV) only zone,” “low-emission zone,” “zero-emissions zone,” and “clean air zone.” Such zones may completely or at least partially ban entry and operation of gasoline-operated vehicles. Words such as “delivery and “deliveries” are merely examples of some operations that can be carried out by a hybrid-electric vehicle in accordance with the disclosure. Other operations can include “pickup” and “drop-off” of packages or people, for example. It should also be understood that the word “example” as used herein is intended to be non-exclusionary and non-limiting in nature. More particularly, the word “exemplary” as used herein indicates one among several examples, and it should be understood that no undue emphasis or preference is being directed to the particular example being described. 
     In terms of a general overview, certain embodiments described in this disclosure are directed to systems and methods for optimizing a travel route of a hybrid-electric vehicle inside an emissions-free zone. In one exemplary embodiment, a travel route optimization system can be used to identify various charging stations located inside the emissions-free zone and/or in a vicinity outside the emissions-free zone. The system can be also used to determine a charge level of a battery in the hybrid-electric vehicle at any given instant in time. The charge level provides an indication of a distance that the hybrid-electric vehicle can travel before a gasoline engine of the hybrid-electric vehicle starts automatically. The system can then be used to generate an optimized travel route of the hybrid-electric vehicle inside the emissions-free zone based on factors such as the charge level of the battery and the location of the various charging stations. The optimized travel route, which is configured to eliminate starting of the gasoline engine inside the emissions-free zone, may be updated in real-time so as to allow recharging of the battery on an as-needed basis at a charging station located close to the optimized travel route. In one exemplary situation, the hybrid-electric vehicle may encounter a delay due to an accident, and an update of the travel route may necessitate a recharging of the battery at a charging station located near the travel route inside the emissions-free zone. In another exemplary situation, the hybrid-electric vehicle may encounter a delay due to an accident, and an update of the travel route may necessitate exiting the emissions-free zone in order to recharge the battery at a charging station located outside the emissions-free zone. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a first exemplary scenario where a travel route optimization system  110  can be used to generate a travel route for a hybrid-electric vehicle  105  inside an emissions-free zone  130  in accordance with the disclosure. The hybrid-electric vehicle  105  includes a gasoline engine and a battery-driven electric motor. Typically, the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  is operated initially by using the battery-driven electric motor. When a charge level of the battery is depleted and can no longer activate the electric motor, the gasoline engine starts up automatically. Upon starting up, the gasoline engine can be used to move the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  as well as to recharge the battery. When charged adequately, the gasoline engine stops operating, and the battery is automatically reconnected to the electric motor for moving the hybrid-electric vehicle  105 . 
     The emissions-free zone  130  is a designated area where it may be improper or illegal to operate an automotive gasoline engine. However, operation of an electric vehicle is permitted inside the emissions-free zone  130 , and it is therefore acceptable to drive the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  inside the emissions-free zone  130  by using only the electric motor. The gasoline engine of the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  should not be operated inside the emissions-free zone  130 . 
     In one exemplary embodiment, the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  is a driver-operated vehicle, and the travel route optimization system  110  is configured to assist the driver  106  in following a travel route through the emissions-free zone  130  without the gasoline engine being activated. In this exemplary embodiment, the travel route optimization system  110  can be incorporated into a device that is carried by the driver  106  and/or can be incorporated into a device such as a Global Positioning System (GPS) apparatus that is located in the hybrid-electric vehicle  105 . For example, the travel route optimization system  110  can be provided in the form of an application in a smartphone carried by the driver  106  or can be stored as a computer program in a memory chip of the GPS apparatus. 
     The driver of the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  can be, for example, a delivery person such as a FEDEX® employee or a pizza delivery person who uses the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  to deliver various articles to customers. Some of the customers may be located outside the emissions-free zone  130 , and others may be located inside the emissions-free zone  130 . The delivery person may opt to use (or may be instructed to use) a delivery route  185  for reaching the various customers. In this example, the delivery route  185  includes a first section that is located outside the emissions-free zone  130 , a second section that is located inside the emissions-free zone  130 , and a third section that is also located outside the emissions-free zone  130 . 
     The hybrid-electric vehicle  105  may be operated in the first section and the third section of the delivery route  185  in a hybrid mode of operation where the battery as well as the gasoline engine in the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  can be used. However, it would be improper or illegal to operate the gasoline engine of the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  when driving in the second section of the delivery route  185  located inside the emissions-free zone  130 . Consequently, in one exemplary implementation, the driver  106  assesses the charge level available in the battery of the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  after delivering articles at a first customer site  115  and a second customer site  120 . At this time, the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  can be at a location  121  along the delivery route  185  prior to an entry point  131  into the emissions-free zone  130 . In one exemplary situation, the charge level available in the battery of the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  indicates that the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  can be driven further over a 30-mile distance. The driver  106  may be aware that the second section of the delivery route  185  extends 50 miles and that a recharge of the battery will be required inside the emissions-free zone if the driver were to enter the emissions-free zone  130  without recharging the battery. The driver may therefore opt to recharge the battery at a charging station  125  before entering the emissions-free zone  130 . 
     Alternatively, the driver  106  can opt to use the travel route optimization system  110  in accordance with the disclosure to detect a charge level available in the battery of the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  and to generate an optimized travel route that would allow him to drive through the emissions-free zone  130  with access to one or more charging stations for recharging the battery. The travel route optimization system  110  may generate an optimized travel route that extends from the entry point  131  into the emissions-free zone  130  and an exit point  132  out of the emissions-free zone  130 . When doing so, the travel route optimization system  110  may determine that it would be sub-optimal for the driver  106  to use a charging station  145  for recharging the battery inside the emissions-free zone  130 . 
     The optimized travel route inside the emissions-free zone  130  can include a segment  133  where the driver  106  can drive to a charging station  160  for recharging the battery before making a delivery at a customer site  140 . The optimized travel route inside the segment  133  as indicated by a dashed line. Failure to use the optimized travel route for recharging at the charging station  160  can result in the battery failing to provide adequate power to operate the electric motor and can result in starting the gasoline engine in the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  inside the emissions-free zone  130 . 
     In conformance with the optimized travel route, the driver  106  can carry out deliveries at customer site  150  and customer site  155  inside the emissions-free zone  130  and then drive to the charging station  160  prior to making the delivery at the customer site  140 . The driver  106  can then exit the emissions-free zone  130  at the exit point  132  and continue with deliveries at a customer site  170  and a customer site  175  outside the emissions-free zone  130 . Once outside the emissions-free zone  130 , the driver  106  may choose any travel route without fear of improperly operating the gasoline engine. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  is an autonomous vehicle, and the travel route optimization system  110  is configured to cooperate with various components of the autonomous vehicle in order to help navigate the autonomous vehicle through the emissions-free zone  130  without using the gasoline engine. The travel route optimization system  110  may be provided in the form of a computer system that is a part of an apparatus mounted in the autonomous vehicle or can be a part of a computer system that is located outside the autonomous vehicle and controls the autonomous vehicle via commands that may be transmitted to the autonomous vehicle through a communications network. The autonomous vehicle can be a delivery vehicle that is programmed to carry out deliveries at the various customer sites inside the emissions-free zone  130 . Towards this end, the travel route optimization system  110  may monitor a charge level in the battery continuously or periodically, and automatically generate an optimized travel route in real-time. The travel route optimization system  110  may cooperate with an engine controller of the autonomous vehicle to configure the autonomous vehicle to follow the optimized travel route without operating the gasoline engine in the emissions-free zone  130 . The delivery route  185  followed by the autonomous vehicle can be different than the delivery route  185  followed by the driver-operated vehicle. In one exemplary implementation, the delivery route  185  followed by the autonomous vehicle can be shorter than the delivery route  185  followed by the driver-operated vehicle so as to avoid having to recharge the battery of the autonomous vehicle. In another exemplary implementation, the delivery route  185  followed by the autonomous vehicle can include one or more sections that allow for recharging of the battery of the autonomous vehicle at a charging station that is specifically designed to provide charging facilities for autonomous vehicles. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a second exemplary scenario where the travel route optimization system  110  can be used to generate an optimized travel route  233  for a hybrid-electric vehicle  105  through the emissions-free zone  130 . The travel route optimization system  110  may be used to generate the optimized travel route  233  when the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  is at a location  231  just prior to entering the emissions-free zone  130  at an entry point  202 , or to generate the optimized travel route  233  when the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  is at a location  232  just after entering the emissions-free zone  130 . The travel route optimization system  110  may assess a charge level of the battery in the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  to determine how far the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  can travel without starting the gasoline engine and use the charge level information together with, for example, a scheduled delivery routine or a scheduled delivery route of the driver  106 , to generate the optimized travel route  233  through the emissions-free zone  130 . 
     The optimized travel route  233  may offer a recommendation to the driver (or the autonomous vehicle) to first travel to a customer site  203 , even though it may appear more logical to travel to a customer site  212  that appears closer to the entry point  202 . The travel route optimization system  110  may take into consideration various factors such as road layout, traffic congestion, and road rules (for example, speed restrictions during certain times of the day) when determining that it would be more optimal for the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  to travel to the customer site  203  first rather than to the customer site  212 . 
     A charging station  204  is located close to the customer site  203 . Depending on the assessed charge level of the battery, the travel route optimization system  110  may either suggest recharging the battery at the charging station  204  or continuing from the customer site  203  to a customer site  206 . The optimized travel route  233  can include a driving sequence for the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  to travel from the customer site  206  to a customer site  207 , followed by a customer site  209 , a customer site  211 , and the customer site  212 . The charge level of the battery may be monitored by the travel route optimization system  110  in real-time as the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  is traversing the optimized travel route  233 . When the charge level has dropped below a threshold level, the travel route optimization system  110  can recommend recharging the battery at a charging station  213  that is located inside the emissions-free zone  130 . In one exemplary case, the threshold level can be set by the driver  106  of the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  based on personal preference. In another exemplary case, the threshold level can be set automatically by the travel route optimization system  110  based on various factors such as the battery drain rate and the electric motor performance parameters. 
     A charging station  216  is located close to a customer site  214  further along the optimized travel route  233 . The travel route optimization system  110  may recommend foregoing the use of the charging station  216  because the charge level of the battery is high after recharging the battery at the charging station  213 . However, when making deliveries at customer site  217  and customer site  218 , the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  encounters an adverse travel factor such as a traffic accident or traffic congestion that causes excessive battery drain. The travel route optimization system  110  detects the drop in the battery charge level and advises the driver  106  to exit the emissions-free zone  130  at a location  219  along the optimized travel route  233  in order to recharge the battery at a charging station  221  that is located outside the emissions-free zone  130 . 
     In a first example scenario, the driver  106  drives the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  out of the emissions-free zone  130 , recharges the battery at the charging station  221 , and re-enters the emissions-free zone  130  after charging is completed. After re-entering the emissions-free zone  130 , the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  rejoins the optimized travel route  233  at a location  222  before following a delivery sequence at a customer site  224 , a customer site  227 , a customer site  228 , and a customer site  229 . The hybrid-electric vehicle  105  then exits the emissions-free zone  130  at an exit point  234 . 
     In a second example scenario, the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  is one of several vehicles in a fleet of vehicles operated by an entity such as FEDEX®. The travel route optimization system  110  provided in the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  detects the excessive battery drain after deliveries have been made at customer site  217  and customer site  218  and automatically communicates the low battery status to a server system (such as the server system  505  shown in  FIG. 5 ). The server system, automatically and/or under control of an administrator of the fleet, instructs the driver  106  to drive the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  out of the emissions-free zone  130 , recharge the battery at the charging station  221 , and continue on a new delivery route that may or may not involve re-entering the emissions-free zone  130 . The server system may then instruct a driver of another hybrid-electric vehicle of the fleet to enter the emissions-free zone  130  and fulfil the remaining deliveries that were originally assigned to the driver  106  of the hybrid-electric vehicle  105 . The server system may also store information pertaining to this event (low-battery status, replacement trip, etc.) for optimizing future assignments and operations carried out by other hybrid-electric vehicles of the fleet inside the emissions-free zone  130 . 
     In a third example scenario, the driver  106  of the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  discovers, after making deliveries at customer site  217  and customer site  218 , that he/she is unable to complete deliveries at other customer sites inside the emissions-free zone  130  for various reasons. For example, the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  can be one of several vehicles in a fleet of vehicles delivering groceries to customers inside the emissions-free zone  130 . The driver  106  may discover spoilage in the groceries due to a malfunctioning refrigerator for example, or may discover that the wrong items have been loaded onto the hybrid-electric vehicle  105 . The charge level of the battery in the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  at this time is inadequate for the driver  106  to drive to a warehouse located outside the emissions-free zone  130  and return in time for completing remaining deliveries. In such a condition, the travel route optimization system  110  provided in the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  is used to communicate the low battery status to a server system (such as the server system  505  shown in  FIG. 5 ). The server system, automatically and/or under control of an administrator of the fleet, instructs the driver  106  to drive the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  out of the emissions-free zone  130 , recharge the battery at the charging station  221 , and continue on a new delivery route that may or may not involve driving to the warehouse and/or re-entering the emissions-free zone  130 . The server system may then instruct a driver of another hybrid-electric vehicle of the fleet to enter the emissions-free zone  130  and fulfil the remaining deliveries that were originally assigned to the driver  106  of the hybrid-electric vehicle  105 . The server system may store information pertaining to this event for optimizing future assignments and operations carried out by other hybrid-electric vehicles of the fleet inside the emissions-free zone  130 . The stored information may be used to avoid such occurrences in the future such as by loading additional product stock in each of the hybrid-electric vehicles of the fleet, performing periodic maintenance on equipment such as the refrigerator, adjusting delivery times, and adjusting trip distances. 
       FIG. 3  shows some exemplary components of the travel route optimization system  110  in accordance with the disclosure. In this example, the travel route optimization system  110  may include several components such as a computer  305 , a sensor system  335 , and an input/output interface  340 . The computer  305  can include a processor  310  and a memory  315 . The memory  315 , which is one example of a non-transitory computer-readable medium, may be used to store an operating system (OS)  331  and various other code modules and databases such as a battery charge level detection module  316 , a travel route generation module  317 , a delivery addresses database  318 , a charging station information database  319 , a map information database  321 , a traffic information database  322 , and an emissions-free zone information database  323 . 
     Some or all of the code modules may be configured to use information contained in one or more of the various databases and may also cooperate with various types of hardware provided in the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  for executing various operations described herein. For example, the battery charge level detection module  316  may include software that cooperates with the sensor system  335  to determine a charge level of a battery in the hybrid-electric vehicle  105 . The charge level information can then be used to generate an optimized travel route for the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  through the emissions-free zone  130 . In an exemplary implementation, the sensor system  335  may include some or all of various sensors that are located in the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  for measuring a charge level of the battery and displaying battery-related information on a dashboard of the hybrid-electric vehicle  105 . The sensor system  335  may also include other sensors such as a vehicle speed sensor, a battery current-draw sensor, and a battery-to-gasoline engine switchover sensor. 
     The input/output interface  340  can receive various types of information for use by the computer  305  and for providing output from the computer  305 . In one exemplary implementation, the input/output interface  340  may include a keyboard, a keypad, or a touchscreen that the driver  106  uses to request an optimized travel route from the travel route optimization system  110  and/or to provide information to the computer  305 . For example, the driver  106  may use a touchscreen of a smartphone to enter a list of delivery addresses on a delivery route. The delivery addresses can be stored in the memory  315  in the form of the delivery addresses database  318 . In another example, an employee of a company that employs the driver  106  may use a keyboard of a computer to enter information about various battery charging stations. This information, which can include, for example, a location, an availability, and pricing of one or more charging stations, can be stored in the memory  315  in the form of the charging station information database  319 . The employee may also enter information about the emissions-free zone  130  such as coverage area, rules, and regulations. This information can be stored in the memory  315  in the form of the emissions-free zone information database  323 . 
     The input/output interface  340  can also be used to automatically receive various types of information from various sources and store the information in the memory  315  for use by the computer  305 . For example, the input/output interface  340  can be communicatively coupled to a Global Positioning System (GPS) of the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  to automatically receive map information. The map information can be stored in the memory  315  in the form of the map information database  321 . As another example, the input/output interface  340  can be communicatively coupled to a traffic monitoring service for automatically receiving information such as traffic reports and accident reports. The information can be stored in the memory  315  in the form of the traffic information database  322 . 
     In yet another example, the driver  106  and/or an employee of a company that employs the driver  106  may use a smartphone or a computer to request an optimized travel route generated by the travel route optimization system  110 . Upon receiving the request, the processor  310  executes the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory in the form of the travel route generation module  317 . Some or all of the other modules and databases contained in the memory  315  may be used during the generation of the optimized travel route. The generated optimized travel route can be provided to the driver  106  and/or the employee via the input/output interface  340 . In one exemplary implementation, the optimized travel route may be displayed on a display screen of a device such as a smartphone or a GPS device. The display can be provided, for example, in a graphical format (such as a map) and/or in a text format (turn-by-turn instructions). 
     The input/output interface  340  can include hardware such as a wireless transceiver that is configured to wirelessly communicate with various hardware elements in the hybrid-electric vehicle  105 . The wireless transceiver can use various types of wireless communications such as a Bluetooth® system and/or can use a dedicated wireless link having a customized format. Alternatively, the input/output interface  340  can include hardware that allows the travel route optimization system  110  to be coupled directly to hardware elements in the hybrid-electric vehicle  105 . For example, a coaxial cable may be used to couple a device such as a smartphone containing the travel route optimization system  110 , to a connector of a computer system provided in the hybrid-electric vehicle  105 . 
       FIG. 4  shows an exemplary flowchart  400  of a method to execute a delivery route by the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  inside an emissions-free zone  130  in accordance with the disclosure. The exemplary flowchart  400  illustrates a sequence of operations that can be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination thereof. In the context of software, the operations represent computer-executable instructions stored on one or more non-transitory computer-readable media such as the memory  315 , that, when executed by one or more processors such as the processor  310 , perform the recited operations. Generally, computer-executable instructions include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, and the like that perform particular functions or implement particular abstract data types. The order in which the operations are described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described operations may be carried out in a different order, omitted, combined in any order, and/or carried out in parallel. Some or all of the operations described in the exemplary flowchart  400  may be carried out by using an application stored in the memory  315  and executed by the processor  310  of the travel route optimization system  110 . 
     The exemplary scenario illustrated in  FIG. 2  will be used for purposes of describing some of the operations included in the flowchart  400 . At block  402 , the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  is loaded with articles that are to be delivered to various customer sites along a travel route such as the travel route  233 . At block  404 , a list of the various delivery addresses is entered into the travel route optimization system  110 . In one exemplary implementation, the list of delivery addresses may be entered into the travel route optimization system  110  by the driver  106  prior to starting out on the delivery route which includes traveling inside the emissions-free zone  130 . The travel route optimization system  110  may be a software application that is loaded onto a smartphone carried by the driver  106 . 
     At block  406 , the travel route optimization system  110  can use the map information database  321  to obtain geographical information about an area in which the delivery route is located. The map information database  321  can be updated automatically or manually if the geographical information is not currently available in the map information database  321 . The automatic update can be carried out by the travel route optimization system  110  communicating with a suitable information source such as Google Maps®. 
     At block  408 , the driver  106  drives the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  into the emissions-free zone  130 . At block  410 , the processor  310  of the computer  305  in the travel route optimization system  110  may execute the battery charge level detection module  316  in order to detect a charge level in one or more batteries of the hybrid-electric vehicle  105 . At block  412 , the processor  310  determines a range of travel of the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  based on the detected charge level. At block  414 , the current traffic conditions inside some or all areas of the emissions-free zone  130  are determined. This operation may be carried out by accessing the traffic information database  322 , which may be updated in real-time by the processor  310  communicating with a traffic monitoring service that provides traffic reports and/or accident reports. 
     At block  416 , the processor  310  may execute the travel route generation module  317  to generate the optimized travel route  233  for use by the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  inside the emissions-free zone  130 . The optimized travel route  233  can originate from a current location of the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  such as the location  232  inside the emissions-free zone  130 . Execution of the travel route generation module  317  for generating the optimized travel route  233  can include the use of information such as the current location of the hybrid-electric vehicle  105 , the range of travel attainable by the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  (operation indicated in block  412 ), and current traffic conditions (operation indicated in block  414 ). Information obtained from other sources such as the charging station information database  319  and the emissions-free zone information database  323  may also be used to generate the optimized travel route  233 . 
     At block  418 , a determination is made whether one or more batteries of the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  need charging. If no charging is required, the driver  106  can execute the optimized travel route (block  426 ). For example, if the range of travel of the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  as identified in block  412  is equal to 50 miles and the travel route through the emissions-free zone  130  is less than 50 miles (25 miles for example), the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  can be driven through the emissions-free zone  130  without the risk of starting the gasoline engine. 
     On the other hand, if the batteries of the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  require recharging, at block  420 , the travel route optimization system  110  recommends the use of a charging station located nearest to the current location of the hybrid-electric vehicle  105 . The charging station may be identified by the travel route optimization system  110  by using information obtained from the charging station information database  319  and the emissions-free zone information database  323 , for example. The charging station may be also identified by the travel route optimization system  110  based on other factors such as a time of day (for example, around a lunch break of the driver  106 ) or a facility (for example, close to a restaurant favored by the driver  106 ). 
     At block  422 , a determination can be made if there are any adverse factors associated with using the charging station. If no adverse factors exist, at block  424 , the batteries of the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  are charged, and the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  proceeds to execute the optimized delivery route (block  426 ). On the other hand, some adverse factors may be present in the use of the charging station. For example, the charging station information database  319  provides pricing information for using the charging station. The driver  106  may find the price unacceptable and decide not to travel to the charging station. As another example, the driver  106  may discover upon reaching the charging station that all of the charging units are in use and an unacceptably long delay would occur if the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  had to wait at that charging station. 
     Consequently, at block  440 , a determination is made to identify an alternative charging station that is present inside the emissions-free zone  130 . If no alternative charging station is present inside the emissions-free zone  130 , at block  448 , the driver  106  is advised by the travel route optimization system  110  to exit the emissions-free zone  130 . Directions to do so may be provided. At block  450 , the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  re-enters the emissions-free zone  130  after battery charging, and a fresh optimal route map is generated (block  416 ) by the processor  310  followed by operations indicated in subsequent blocks. 
     If an alternative charging station is available, at block  442 , the travel route optimization system  110  recommends the use of the alternative charging station. Directions to travel to the alternative charging station may be provided by the travel route optimization system  110  to guide the driver  106  to the alternative charging station. 
     At block  444 , a determination is made on whether charging of the batteries of the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  at the alternative charging station has been completed. If not completed, at block  446 , charging of the batteries is continued. If charging of the batteries of the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  at the alternative charging station is completed, at block  426 , the driver  106  drives the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  along the optimized travel route inside the emissions-free zone  130 . 
     At block  428 , a determination is made on whether the driver  106  is driving aggressively. The determination can be made by using the sensor system  335  to identify various driving characteristics such as a speed at which the hybrid-electric vehicle  105  is being driven, abrupt acceleration, and/or sudden braking, which would be indicative of improper driving (in the form of tail-gating and excessive lane changes, for example). The sensor system  335  may also be used to identify excessive battery drain which would indicate that the driver  106  is driving in an improper manner. At block  430 , a warning and/or advisory is provided to the driver  106  by the travel route optimization system  110 . The warning may, for example, advise the driver  106  to slow down. 
     At block  432 , a determination is made on whether delivery has been completed at a first customer site. If delivery has not been completed, for example, due to an unexpected delay, the travel route optimization system  110  may recalculate the optimized travel route (block  416 ) followed by subsequent operations indicated in other blocks. If delivery has been completed at the first customer site, at block  434 , the travel route optimization system  110  advises the driver  106  to follow the optimized travel route to the next customer site. 
     At block  436 , a determination is made on whether all deliveries inside the emissions-free zone  130  have been completed. If completed, the travel route optimization system  110  advises the driver  106  to exit the emissions-free zone  130  (block  438 ). If some more deliveries have to be made, the travel route optimization system  110  may recalculate the optimized travel route (block  416 ) followed by subsequent operations indicated in other blocks. 
       FIG. 5  shows an exemplary embodiment of the travel route optimization system  505  in accordance with the disclosure. In one exemplary implementation of this embodiment, some of the components of the computer  305  of the travel route optimization system  505  can be incorporated into a server system  506  that is communicatively coupled to the travel route optimization system  505  through a network  510 . For example, some or all parts of the travel route generation module  317  can be provided in the server system  506  in lieu of, or to complement, the one provided in the computer  305 . In this exemplary implementation, the server system  506  can execute the travel route generation module  317  independently or in cooperation with the computer  305 . 
     In another exemplary implementation of the embodiment, at least some of the contents of the memory  315 , such as the map information database  321 , the traffic information database  322 , the emissions-free zone information database  323 , and/or the charging station information database  319  can be partly or completely located in a cloud storage system  515  and/or the server system  506 . The cloud storage system  515  may be communicatively coupled to the travel route optimization system  505  through the network  510 . The network  510  may include any one or a combination of various networks such as a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a telephone network, a cellular network, a cable network, a wireless network, and/or private/public networks such as the Internet. 
     In the context of hardware, memory devices such as the memory  315  that is a part of the computer  305  in the travel route optimization system  110 , can include any one memory element or a combination of volatile memory elements (e.g., random access memory (RAM, such as DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, etc.)) and non-volatile memory elements (e.g., ROM, hard drive, tape, CD ROM, etc.). Moreover, the memory device may incorporate electronic, magnetic, optical, and/or other types of storage media. In the context of this document, a “non-transitory computer-readable medium” can be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer-readable medium would include the following: a portable computer diskette (magnetic), a random-access memory (RAM) (electronic), a read-only memory (ROM) (electronic), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM, EEPROM, or Flash memory) (electronic), and a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD ROM) (optical). Note that the computer-readable medium could even be paper or another suitable medium upon which the program is printed, since the program can be electronically captured, for instance, via optical scanning of the paper or other medium, then compiled, interpreted or otherwise processed in a suitable manner if necessary, and then stored in a computer memory. 
     In the context of software, the operations described herein with respect to computers such as the computer  305  may be implemented by computer-executable instructions stored on one or more non-transitory computer-readable media such as the memory  315 , that, when executed by one or more processors such as the processor  310 , perform the recited operations. Generally, computer-executable instructions include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, and the like that perform particular functions or implement particular abstract data types. 
     Example Embodiments 
     In some instances, the following examples may be implemented together or separately by the systems and methods described herein. 
     Example 1 may include a method comprising: determining, by a first computer, a first charge level in at least one battery of a hybrid-electric vehicle; identifying, by the first computer, a location of one or more charging stations inside an emissions-free zone; and generating, by the first computer, a travel route of the hybrid-electric vehicle inside the emissions-free zone based at least in part on the first charge level and the location of the one or more charging stations inside the emissions-free zone. 
     Example 2 may include the method of example 1, wherein the travel route is optimized to eliminate operating a gasoline engine of the hybrid-electric vehicle inside the emissions-free zone. 
     Example 3 may include the method of example 1 and/or some other example herein, wherein the one or more charging stations include a first charging station that is reachable by the hybrid-electric vehicle by using the at least one battery having the first charge level. 
     Example 4 may include the method of example 3 and/or some other example herein, further comprising: identifying, by a driver of the hybrid-electric vehicle, upon reaching the first charging station, that the first charging station is unavailable; entering, into the first computer, by the driver of the hybrid-electric vehicle, a request to modify the travel route; and generating, by the first computer, a modified travel route based at least in part on a second charge level in the at least one battery of the hybrid-electric vehicle at the first charging station. 
     Example 5 may include the method of example 4 and/or some other example herein, further comprises: determining, by the first computer, whether the hybrid-electric vehicle can reach a second charging station inside the emissions-free zone by using the at least one battery having the second charge level; providing, by the first computer, to the driver of the hybrid-electric vehicle, upon determining that the second charging station is reachable by using the at least one battery having the second charge level, a recommendation to drive to the second charging station; and providing, by the first computer, to the driver of the hybrid-electric vehicle, upon determining that the second charging station is unreachable by using the at least one battery having the second charge level, a recommendation to drive to a third charging station located outside the emissions-free zone. 
     Example 6 may include the method of example 3 and/or some other example herein, further comprising: identifying, by the first computer, an inability of the hybrid-electric vehicle to reach the first charging station due to one or more travel factors; and generating, by the first computer, based at least in part on the one or more travel factors, a modified travel route to one of a second charging station located inside the emissions-free zone or a third charging station located outside the emissions-free zone. 
     Example 7 may include the method of example 6 and/or some other example herein, wherein the one or more travel factors include at least one of a traffic delay or an inability of the hybrid-electric vehicle to reach the second charging station by using the battery having the first charge level. 
     Example 8 may include a method comprising: determining, by a first computer, a travel route for a hybrid-electric vehicle inside an emissions-free zone; and modifying, by the first computer, the travel route based at least in part on a charge level in one or more batteries of the hybrid-electric vehicle and one or more charging stations located in at least one of the emissions-free zone or outside the emissions-free zone. 
     Example 9 may include the method of example 8, wherein modifying the travel route is executed in real-time by the first computer. 
     Example 10 may include the method of example 8 and/or some other example herein, wherein the travel route is a delivery route for delivering products to a set of customers inside the emissions-free zone. 
     Example 11 may include the method of example 10 and/or some other example herein, further comprising: identifying a location of at least one charging station inside the emissions-free zone based at least in part on the delivery route. 
     Example 12 may include the method of example 11 and/or some other example herein, wherein identifying the location of the at least one charging station inside the emissions-free zone is carried out at least in further part based on a delivery sequence along the delivery route. 
     Example 13 may include the method of example 11 and/or some other example herein, wherein identifying the location of the at least one charging station inside the emissions-free zone is carried out at least in further part based on the charge level in the one or more batteries of the hybrid-electric vehicle. 
     Example 14 may include the method of example 8 and/or some other example herein, further comprising: determining, by the first computer, an entry point for the hybrid-electric vehicle into the emissions-free zone, based at least in part on the location of the one or more charging stations and a first charge level of at least one battery in the hybrid-electric vehicle. 
     Example 15 may include a travel route generation system comprising: at least one memory that stores computer-executable instructions; and at least one processor configured to access the at least one memory and execute the computer-executable instructions to at least: determine a travel route for a hybrid-electric vehicle inside an emissions-free zone; and modify the travel route based at least in part on a charge level in one or more batteries of the hybrid-electric vehicle and one or more charging stations located in at least one of the emissions-free zone or outside the emissions-free zone. 
     Example 16 may include the system of example 15, wherein modifying the travel route is executed in real-time by the at least one processor. 
     Example 17 may include the system of example 15 and/or some other example herein, wherein the travel route is a delivery route for delivering products to a set of customers inside the emissions-free zone. 
     Example 18 may include the system of example 17 and/or some other example herein, wherein the at least one processor is configured to access the at least one memory and execute additional computer-executable instructions to at least: identify a location of at least one charging station inside the emissions-free zone based at least in part on the delivery route. 
     Example 19 may include the system of example 17 and/or some other example herein, wherein identifying the location of the at least one charging station inside the emissions-free zone is carried out at least in further part based on a delivery sequence along the delivery route. 
     Example 20 may include the system of example 17 and/or some other example herein, wherein identifying the location of the at least one charging station inside the emissions-free zone is carried out at least in further part based on a charge storage capacity of one or more batteries in the hybrid-electric vehicle. 
     In the above disclosure, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, which illustrate specific implementations in which the present disclosure may be practiced. It is understood that other implementations may be utilized, and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, one skilled in the art will recognize such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. 
     Implementations of the systems, apparatuses, devices, and methods disclosed herein may comprise or utilize one or more devices that include hardware, such as, for example, one or more processors and system memory, as discussed herein. 
     An implementation of the devices, systems, and methods disclosed herein may communicate over a computer network. A “network” and a “bus” is defined as one or more data links that enable the transport of electronic data between computer systems and/or modules and/or other electronic devices. When information is transferred or provided over a network, a bus, or another communications connection (either hardwired, wireless, or any combination of hardwired or wireless) to a computer, the computer properly views the connection as a transmission medium. Transmission media can include a network and/or data links, which can be used to carry desired program code means in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of non-transitory computer-readable media. 
     Computer-executable instructions comprise, for example, instructions and data which, when executed at a processor, cause the processor to perform a certain function or group of functions. The computer-executable instructions may be, for example, binaries, intermediate format instructions such as assembly language, or even source code. Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the described features or acts described above. Rather, the described features and acts are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims. 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present disclosure may be practiced in network computing environments with many types of computer system configurations, including in-dash vehicle computers, personal computers, desktop computers, laptop computers, message processors, handheld devices, multi-processor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, mobile telephones, PDAs, tablets, pagers, routers, switches, various storage devices, and the like. The disclosure may also be practiced in distributed system environments where local and remote computer systems, which are linked (either by hardwired data links, wireless data links, or by any combination of hardwired and wireless data links) through a network, both perform tasks. In a distributed system environment, program modules may be located in both the local and remote memory storage devices. 
     Further, where appropriate, the functions described herein can be performed in one or more of hardware, software, firmware, digital components, or analog components. For example, one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) can be programmed to carry out one or more of the systems and procedures described herein. Certain terms are used throughout the description and claims refer to particular system components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, components may be referred to by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components that differ in name, but not function. 
     It should be noted that the sensor embodiments discussed above may comprise computer hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof to perform at least a portion of their functions. For example, a sensor may include computer code configured to be executed in one or more processors and may include hardware logic/electrical circuitry controlled by the computer code. These example devices are provided herein for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in further types of devices, as would be known to persons skilled in the relevant art(s). 
     At least some embodiments of the present disclosure have been directed to computer program products comprising such logic (e.g., in the form of software) stored on any computer-usable medium. Such software, when executed in one or more data processing devices, causes a device to operate as described herein. 
     While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents. The foregoing description has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. Further, it should be noted that any or all of the aforementioned alternate implementations may be used in any combination desired to form additional hybrid implementations of the present disclosure. For example, any of the functionality described with respect to a particular device or component may be performed by another device or component. Further, while specific device characteristics have been described, embodiments of the disclosure may relate to numerous other device characteristics. Further, although embodiments have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as illustrative forms of implementing the embodiments. Conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments could include, while other embodiments may not include, certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments.