Patent ID: 7539562

Claim:
A hybrid vehicle comprising: an engine; a motor/generator; a battery operatively connected to the engine and motor/generator and rechargeable using at least of said engine and said motor/generator; a navigation system operable for receiving a user-selected route starting point and ending point defining a preferred route; and a powertrain control module (PCM) operatively connected to said navigation system, said PCM being operable for selecting an optimally fuel efficient route for reaching said ending point using at least one set of route input data; wherein said PCM is operable for detecting a charge level of said battery and determining a charge-depleting powertrain strategy along said optimally fuel efficient route based in part on said detected charge level when said route starting and ending points are selected, and is further operable for sustaining said detected charge level of said battery above a predetermined level in the absence of said route starting and ending points; said charge-depleting powertrain strategy defining a mode wherein the hybrid vehicle is powered primarily by said motor/generator such that said battery is depleted when the hybrid vehicle reaches said ending point.