Smart and Green ACC, adaptation of the ACC strategy for electric vehicle with regenerative capacity

This paper presents an optimization of a conventional Adaptive Cruise Control system (ACC) for the specific use of electric vehicles with regenerative capacity, namely the Smart and Green ACC (SAGA). Longitudinal control strategies, that are developed for the driving assistances, mainly aim at optimizing the safety and the comfort of the vehicle occupants. Electric vehicles have the possibility, depending on the architecture, the speed and the braking demand, to regenerate a part of the electric energy during the braking. Moreover, the electric vehicle range is currently limited. The opportunity to adapt the braking of an ACC system to extend slightly the range must not be avoided. When the ACC is active, the vehicle speed is controlled automatically either to maintain a given clearance to a forward vehicle, or to maintain the driver desired speed, whichever is lower. We define how we can optimize both mode and what is the impact, in term of safety and strategy, including the knowledge of the future of the road, integrating a navigation system.