TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to systems, devices, and methods for charging vehicle batteries, and in particular relates to controlling or influencing charging patterns of vehicle batteries.

BACKGROUND

Battery-powered vehicles (e.g. Hybrid electric vehicles, all-electric vehicles, etc.) are a convenient and environmentally friendly means of transportation. A battery-powered vehicle includes at least one battery, which can be charged from an external power source. As adoption of battery-powered vehicles increases, increasing strain will be placed on electrical infrastructure to provide sufficient power to charge batteries for said vehicles. It is desirable to provide means for managing such strain. Additionally, it is desirable to provide means for managing charge patterns for vehicle batteries to reduce battery degradation.

SUMMARY

According to a broad aspect, the present disclosure describes a system for controlling charging of a battery of a vehicle by a power source external to the vehicle, the system comprising: a control unit operable to: receive an indication of a minimum charge threshold for the battery; receive an indication of a charge-adverse time period; determine whether a charge level of the battery is above the minimum charge threshold; if the charge level is below the minimum charge threshold, enable charging of the battery at a first charge rate during the charge-adverse time period; and if the charge level is above the minimum charge threshold, restrict charging of the battery to a second charge rate less than the first charge rate during the charge-adverse time period.

The control unit may be further operable to enable charging of the battery at the first charge rate outside of the charge-adverse time period, regardless of whether the charge level is above the minimum charge threshold.

The control unit may be further operable to: receive an override input from a user; and in response to the override input, enable charging of the battery during the charge-adverse time period even if the charge level is below the minimum charge threshold.

The system may further comprise the vehicle, the control unit may be a component of the vehicle; the control unit may be operable to control the vehicle to accept a first amount of power from the power source; and the control unit may be operable to control the vehicle to accept less power from the power source than the first amount of power. The control unit may be operable to restrict the vehicle to accept no power from the power source.

The system may further comprise the power source, the control unit may be a component of the power source; the control unit may be operable to control the power source to provide a first amount of power to the vehicle; and the control unit may be operable to control the power source to provide less power to the vehicle than the first amount of power. The control unit may be operable to control the power source to provide no power to the vehicle.

The system may further comprise an intermediate device operable to be coupled to the power source and the vehicle to control provision of power from the power source to the vehicle, the control unit may be a component of the intermediate device; the control unit may be operable to control flow of power from the power source to the vehicle to provide a first amount of power to the vehicle; and the control unit may be operable to control flow of power from the power source to the vehicle to provide less power to the vehicle than the first amount of power. The control unit may be operable to control flow of power from the power source to the vehicle to provide no power to the vehicle.

During the charge-adverse time period a monetary cost of power may be greater than a monetary cost of power outside of the charge-adverse time period. During the charge-adverse time period a demand for power may be greater than a demand for power outside of the charge-adverse time period.

The control unit may be operable to: monitor the charge level of the battery during charging of the battery; and restrict charging of the battery to the second charge rate if the charge level of the battery goes above the minimum charge threshold during the charge-adverse time period. The control unit may be operable to monitor the charge level continuously. The control unit may be operable to monitor the charge level periodically.

The minimum charge threshold may be received as input from a user. The minimum charge threshold may be received from a manufacturer of the vehicle or a manufacturer of the battery of the vehicle.

The system may further comprise a communication interface, and the indication of the charge-adverse time period may be received over the communication interface. The indication of the charge-adverse time period may be received as input from a user.

The control unit may be further operable to receive an indication of a maximum charge threshold, and to restrict charging the battery if the charge level is above the maximum charge threshold.

According to another broad aspect, the present disclosure describes a method for controlling charging of a battery of a vehicle by a power source external to the vehicle, the method comprising: receiving, by a control unit, an indication of a minimum charge threshold for the battery; receiving, by the control unit, an indication of a charge-adverse time period; determining, by the control unit, whether a charge level of the battery is above the minimum charge threshold during the charge-adverse time period; if the charge level is below the minimum charge threshold, enabling charging of the battery at a first charge rate during the charge-adverse time period; and if the charge level is above the minimum charge threshold, restricting charging of the battery to a second charge rate less than the first charge rate during the charge-adverse time period.

The method may further comprise: enabling charging of the battery at the first charge rate outside of the charge-adverse time period, regardless of whether the charge level is above the minimum charge threshold.

The method may further comprise: receiving an override input from a user; and in response to the override input, enabling charging of the battery at the first charge rate during the charge-adverse time period even if the charge level is below the minimum charge threshold.

The control unit may be a component of the vehicle; enabling charging of the battery at the first charge rate may comprise the control unit controlling the vehicle to accept a first amount of power from the power source; and restricting charging of the battery to the second charge rate may comprise the control unit controlling the vehicle to accept less power than the first amount of power from the power source. Controlling the vehicle to accept less power than the first amount of power may comprise the control unit controlling the vehicle to accept no power from the power source.

The control unit may be a component of the power source external to the vehicle; enabling charging of the battery at the first charge rate may comprise the control unit controlling the power source to provide a first amount of power to the vehicle; and restricting charging of the battery may comprise the control unit controlling the power source to provide less power to the vehicle than the first amount of power. Controlling the power source to provide less power to the vehicle than the first amount of power may comprise the control unit controlling the power source to provide no power to the vehicle.

The control unit may be a component of an intermediate device coupled to the power source and the vehicle to control provision of power from the power source to the vehicle; enabling charging of the battery at the first charge rate may comprise the control unit controlling flow of power from the power source to the vehicle to provide a first amount of power to the vehicle; and restricting charging of the battery may comprise the control unit controlling flow of power from the power source to the vehicle to provide less power to the vehicle than the first amount of power. The control unit controlling flow of power from the power source to the vehicle to provide less power to the vehicle than the first amount of power may comprise: the control unit controlling flow of power from the power source to the vehicle to provide no power to the vehicle.

The method may further comprise: monitoring, by the control unit, the charge level of the battery during charging of the battery; and restricting, by the control unit, charging of the battery to the second charge rate if the charge level of the battery goes above the minimum charge threshold during the charge-adverse time period. Monitoring the charge level of the battery during charging of the battery may comprise monitoring the charge level continuously during charging of the battery. Monitoring the charge level of the battery during charging of the battery may comprise monitoring the charge level periodically during charging of the battery.

Receiving the indication of the minimum charge threshold may comprise receiving an input from a user which is indicative of the minimum charge threshold.

Receiving the indication of the minimum charge threshold may comprise receiving an input from a manufacturer of the vehicle or a manufacturer of the battery of the vehicle which is indicative of the minimum charge threshold.

The indication of the charge-adverse time period may be received over a communication interface in communication with the control unit.

Receiving the indication of the charge-adverse time period may comprise receiving an input from a user which is indicative of the charge-adverse time period.

The method may further comprise: receiving, by the control unit, an indication of a maximum charge threshold; and restricting, by the control unit, charging of the battery if the charge level is above the maximum charge threshold.

According to another broad aspect, the present disclosure describes a method for controlling charging of a battery of a vehicle by a power source external to the vehicle, the method comprising: receiving, by a control unit, an indication of a minimum charge threshold for the battery; receiving, by the control unit, an indication of a charge-restriction event; determining, by the control unit, whether a charge level of the battery is above the minimum charge threshold before an end of the charge-restriction event; if the charge level is below the minimum charge threshold, enabling charging of the battery at a first charge rate during the charge-restriction event; and if the charge level is above the minimum charge threshold, restricting charging of the battery to a second charge rate less than the first charge rate during the charge-restriction event.

The method may further comprise: transmitting, by a communication interface, an indication of whether charging of the battery is enabled at the first charging rate or restricted to the second charge rate for the charge-restriction event. The indication of whether charging of the battery is enabled at the first charging rate or restricted to the second charge rate may be transmitted prior to a beginning of the charge-restriction event. The indication of whether charging of the battery is enabled at the first charging rate or restricted to the second charge rate may be transmitted during the charge-restriction event. The indication of whether charging of the battery is enabled at the first charging rate or restricted to the second charge rate may be transmitted after an end of the charge-restriction event. The method may further comprise receiving, by a device remote from the vehicle and the power source, an indication of whether charging of the battery is enabled at the first charging rate or restricted to the second charge rate.

The method may further comprise allocating a reward for a recipient associated with the vehicle if charging was restricted to the second charge rate during the charge-restriction event. Allocating the reward may comprise allocating a proportional reward for the recipient associated with the vehicle based on a quantity of energy which is saved during the charge-restriction event by restricting charging of the battery to the second charge rate instead of enabling charging of the battery at the first charge rate.

Receiving the indication of the charge-restriction event may comprise receiving, by the control unit via a communication interface, the indication of the charge-restriction event from a device remote from the vehicle and the power source.

The method may further comprise providing, by a device remote from the vehicle and the power source, the indication of the charge-restriction event.

The method may further comprise: monitoring, by the control unit, the charge level of the battery during charging of the battery; if the charge level of the battery goes from below the minimum charge threshold to above the minimum charge threshold during the charge-restriction event: restricting charging of the battery to a second charge rate less than the first charge rate until an end of the charge-restriction event; and transmitting, by a communication interface in communication with the control unit, an indication of when charging of the battery is restricted to the second charge rate.

The method may further comprise: enabling charging of the battery at the first charge rate outside of the charge-restriction event, regardless of whether the charge level is above the minimum charge threshold.

The method may further comprise: receiving an override input from a user; in response to the override input, enabling charging of the battery at the first charge rate during the charge-restriction event even if the charge level is below the minimum charge threshold; and transmitting, by a communication interface in communication with the control unit, an indication of when charging of the battery is enabled at the first charge rate.

The control unit may be a component of the vehicle; enabling charging of the battery at the first charge rate may comprise the control unit controlling the vehicle to accept a first amount of power from the power source; and restricting charging of the battery to the second charge rate may comprise the control unit controlling the vehicle to accept less power than the first amount of power from the power source. Controlling the vehicle to accept less power than the first amount of power may comprise the control unit controlling the vehicle to accept no power from the power source.

The control unit may be a component of the power source external to the vehicle; enabling charging of the battery at the first charge rate may comprise the control unit controlling the power source to provide a first amount of power to the vehicle; and restricting charging of the battery may comprise the control unit controlling the power source to provide less power to the vehicle than the first amount of power. Controlling the power source to provide less power to the vehicle than the first amount of power may comprise the control unit controlling the power source to provide no power to the vehicle.

The control unit may be a component of an intermediate device coupled to the power source and the vehicle to control provision of power from the power source to the vehicle; enabling charging of the battery at the first charge rate may comprise the control unit controlling flow of power from the power source to the vehicle to provide a first amount of power to the vehicle; and restricting charging of the battery may comprise the control unit controlling flow of power from the power source to the vehicle to provide less power to the vehicle than the first amount of power. The control unit controlling flow of power from the power source to the vehicle to provide less power to the vehicle than the first amount of power may comprise: the control unit controlling flow of power from the power source to the vehicle to provide no power to the vehicle.

According to another broad aspect, the present disclosure describes a system for controlling charging of a battery of a vehicle by a power source external to the vehicle, the system comprising: a control unit operable to: receive an indication of a minimum charge threshold for the battery; receive an indication of a charge-restriction event; determine whether a charge level of the battery is above the minimum charge threshold before an end of the charge-restriction event; if the charge level is below the minimum charge threshold, enable charging of the battery at a first charge rate during the charge-restriction event; and if the charge level is above the minimum charge threshold, restrict charging of the battery to a second charge rate less than the first charge rate during the charge-restriction event.

The system may further comprise a communication interface, and the control unit may be operable to transmit, via the communication interface, an indication of whether charging of the battery is enabled at the first charging rate or restricted to the second charge rate for the charge-restriction event. The control unit may be operable to transmit the indication of whether charging of the battery is enabled at the first charging rate or restricted to the second charge rate prior to a beginning of the charge-restriction event. The control unit may be operable to transmit the indication of whether charging of the battery is enabled at the first charging rate or restricted to the second charge rate during the charge-restriction event. The control unit may be operable to transmit the indication of whether charging of the battery is enabled at the first charging rate or restricted to the second charge rate after an end of the charge-restriction event. The system may further comprise a device remote from the vehicle and the power source, operable to receive the indication of whether charging of the battery is enabled at the first charging rate or restricted to the second charge rate.

The system may further comprise a device remote from the vehicle and the power source operable to allocate a reward for a recipient associated with the vehicle if charging was restricted to the second charge rate during the charge-restriction event. The device remote from the vehicle and the power source may be operable to allocate the reward for the recipient associated with the vehicle based on a quantity of energy which is saved during the charge-restriction event by restricting charging of the battery to the second charge rate instead of enabling charging of the battery at the first charge rate.

The control unit may be operable to receive, via a communication interface, the indication of the charge-restriction event from a device remote from the vehicle and the power source.

The system may further comprise a device remote from the vehicle and the power source operable to provide the indication of the charge-restriction event.

The control unit may be operable to monitor the charge level of the battery during charging of the battery; if the charge level of the battery goes from below the minimum charge threshold to above the minimum charge threshold during the charge-restriction event: the control unit may be operable to restrict charging of the battery to a second charge rate less than the first charge rate until an end of the charge-restriction event; and a communication interface in communication with the control unit may be operable to transmit an indication of when charging of the battery is restricted to the second charge rate.

The control unit may be further operable to enable charging of the battery at the first charge rate outside of the charge-restriction event, regardless of whether the charge level is above the minimum charge threshold.

The control unit may be operable to receive an override input from a user; the control unit may be operable to, in response to the override input, enable charging of the battery at the first charge rate during the charge-restriction event even if the charge level is below the minimum charge threshold; and a communication interface in communication with the control unit may be operable to transmit an indication of when charging of the battery is enabled at the first charge rate.

The control unit may be a component of the vehicle; the control unit may be operable to control the vehicle to accept a first amount of power from the power source; and the control unit may be operable to control the vehicle to accept less power from the power source than the first amount of power. The control unit may be operable to restrict the vehicle to accept no power from the power source.

The system may further comprise the power source; the control unit may be a component of the power source; the control unit may be operable to control the power source to provide a first amount of power to the vehicle; and the control unit may be operable to control the power source to provide less power to the vehicle than the first amount of power. The control unit may be operable to control the power source to provide no power to the vehicle.

The system may further comprise an intermediate device operable to be coupled to the power source and the vehicle to control provision of power from the power source to the vehicle; the control unit may be a component of the intermediate device; the control unit may be operable to control flow of power from the power source to the vehicle to provide a first amount of power to the vehicle; and the control unit may be operable to control flow of power from the power source to the vehicle to provide less power to the vehicle than the first amount of power. The control unit may be operable to control flow of power from the power source to the vehicle to provide no power to the vehicle.

According to another broad aspect, the present disclosure describes a method of controlling power distribution to a plurality of vehicles, the method comprising: transmitting, by a communication interface to a plurality of control units, an indication of a charge-restriction event, each control unit of the plurality of control units operable to control charging of a respective battery of a respective vehicle; receiving, by the communication interface from each control unit of a set of control units of the plurality of control units, a respective indication of participation in the charge-restriction event by a respective vehicle, where indication of participation in the charge-restriction event is indicative of a charge rate of a battery of the respective vehicle being restricted from a first charge rate outside of the charge-restriction event to a second charge rate less than the first charge rate during the charge-restriction event; and allocating, by at least one processor communicatively coupled to the communication interface, a respective reward for a respective recipient for each vehicle for which an indication of participation in the charge-restriction event was received, each reward based on a quantity of energy which is saved during the charge-restriction event by the respective vehicle restricting charge rate to the second charge rate instead of enabling charging of the battery at the first charge rate.

Allocating, by the at least one processor, the respective reward for the respective recipient for each vehicle for which an indication of participation in the charge-restriction event was received may comprise: allocating funds to be provided to respective recipients for each vehicle for which an indication of participation in the charge-restriction event was received.

Allocating, by the at least one processor, the respective reward for the respective recipient for each vehicle for which an indication of participation in the charge-restriction event was received may comprise: allocating credit to respective recipients for each vehicle for which an indication of participation in the charge-restriction event was received.

The method may further comprise transmitting, by the communication interface to the plurality of control units, a schedule of upcoming charge-restriction events.

The method may further comprise transmitting, by the communication interface to a control unit of the plurality of control units, an indication of participation in past charge events by a vehicle corresponding to the control unit.

The method may further comprising receiving by the communication interface, from a control unit of the plurality of control units, an indication of partial participation in the charge-restriction event by a respective vehicle. Indication of partial participation in the charge-restriction event may be indicative of a charge rate of a battery of the respective vehicle being restricted from the first charge rate to the second charge rate after a beginning of the charge-restriction event. Indication of partial participation in the charge-restriction event may be indicative of a charge rate of a battery of the respective vehicle being enabled at the first charge rate after a beginning of the charge-restriction event where the charge rate of the battery of the respective vehicle is restricted to second charge rate at the beginning of the charge-restriction event. The method may further comprise allocating, by the at least one processor, a partial reward for a recipient associated with the vehicle for which an indication of partial participation in the charge-restriction event was received. The partial reward may be based on a proportion of the charge-restriction event for which the charge rate of the vehicle was restricted to the second charge rate. The partial reward may be based on a quantity of energy which is saved during the charge-restriction event by the charge rate of the vehicle being restricted to the second charge rate instead of enabling charging of the battery at the first charge rate for an entire duration of the charge-restriction event.

According to another broad aspect, the present disclosure describes a system for controlling power distribution to a plurality of vehicles, the system comprising: at least one processor; at least one non-transitory processor-readable storage medium; a communication interface communicatively coupled to the at least one processor, wherein the at least one non-transitory processor-readable storage medium has instructions stored thereon, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the system to: transmit, by the communication interface, an indication of a charge-restriction event to be received by a plurality of control units, each control unit of the plurality of control units operable to control charging of a respective battery of a respective vehicle; receive, by the communication interface from each control unit of a set of control units of the plurality of control units, at least one indication of participation in the charge-restriction event by a respective vehicle, where indication of participation in the charge-restriction event is indicative of a charge rate of a battery of the respective vehicle being restricted from a first charge rate outside of the charge-restriction event to a second charge rate less than the first charge rate during the charge-restriction event; and allocate, by the at least one processor, a respective reward for a respective recipient for each vehicle for which an indication of participation in the charge-restriction event was received, each reward based on a quantity of energy which is saved during the charge-restriction event by the respective vehicle restricting charge rate to the second charge rate instead of enabling charging of the battery at the first charge rate.

The instructions which cause the system to allocate, by the at least one processor, the respective reward for the respective recipient for each vehicle for which an indication of participation in the charge-restriction event was received may cause the at least one processor to: allocate funds to be provided to respective recipients for each vehicle for which an indication of participation in the charge-restriction event was received.

The instructions which cause the system to allocate, by the at least one processor, the respective reward for the respective recipient for each vehicle for which an indication of participation in the charge-restriction event was received may cause the at least one processor to: allocate credit to respective recipients for each vehicle for which an indication of participation in the charge-restriction event was received.

The instructions may further cause the communication interface to transmit, to the plurality of control units, a schedule of upcoming charge-restriction events.

The instructions may further cause the communication interface to transmit, to a control unit of the plurality of control units, an indication of participation in past charge events by a vehicle corresponding to the control unit.

The instructions may further cause the communication interface to receive, from a control unit of the plurality of control units, an indication of partial participation in the charge-restriction event by a respective vehicle. Indication of partial participation in the charge-restriction event may be indicative of a charge rate of a battery of the respective vehicle being restricted from the first charge rate to the second charge rate after a beginning of the charge-restriction event. Indication of partial participation in the charge-restriction event may be indicative of a charge rate of a battery of the respective vehicle being enabled at the first charge rate after a beginning of the charge-restriction event where the charge rate of the battery of the respective vehicle is restricted to second charge rate at the beginning of the charge-restriction event. The instructions may further cause the at least one processor to allocate a partial reward for a recipient for a vehicle for which an indication of partial participation in the charge-restriction event was received. The partial reward may be based on a proportion of the charge-restriction event for which the charge rate of the vehicle was restricted to the second charge rate. The partial reward may be based on a quantity of energy which is saved during the charge-restriction event by the charge rate of the vehicle being restricted to the second charge rate instead of charging of the battery being enabled at the first charge rate for an entire duration of the entire charge-restriction event.

According to another broad aspect, the present disclosure describes a method of controlling power distribution to a plurality of vehicles, the method comprising: determining a quantity of the plurality of vehicles expected to be connected to respective charge stations during a first time period; determining a quantity of preventable power usage by restricting charging of respective batteries of the quantity of the plurality of vehicles during the first time period, from a first charge rate outside of the first time period to a second charge rate less than the first charge rate during the first time period; and initiating a charge-restriction event during the first time period.

Determining a quantity of the plurality of vehicles expected to be connected to respective charge stations during a first time period may comprise: determining the quantity of the plurality of vehicles by determining a quantity of vehicles which are presently connected to respective charge stations based on connection data indicative of connection between each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles and a respective charge station.

Determining a quantity of the plurality of vehicles expected to be connected to respective charge stations during a first time period may comprise: estimating the quantity of the plurality of vehicles based on historical connection data indicative of connection between each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles and a respective charge station.

The method may further comprise, prior to initiating the charge-restriction event: presenting a user interface for initiation of the charge-restriction event; and receiving a user input to initiate the charge-restriction event for the plurality of vehicles.

Initiating the charge-restriction event may be performed automatically when power usage during the first time period is expected to exceed a power distribution threshold during the first time period.

The method may further comprise restricting charging for at least one vehicle of the plurality of vehicles from the first charge rate to the second charge rate during the charge-restriction event.

The method may further comprise communicating, to at least one vehicle of the plurality of vehicles, an option to restrict charging from the first charge rate to the second charge rate during the charge-restriction event. The method may further comprising determining an expected quantity of vehicles which will accept the option to restrict charging from the first charge rate to the second charge rate. Determining an expected quantity of vehicles which will accept the option to restrict charging may be based on historical acceptance data which is indicative of previous restricting of charging by vehicles of the plurality of vehicles.

Respective charge rate for a set of vehicles of the plurality of vehicles may be restricted to the second charge rate during the first time period, and the method may further comprise: allocating a respective reward for a respective recipient associated with each vehicle of the set of vehicles. Allocating a respective reward for a respective recipient associated with each vehicle of the set of vehicles may comprise: allocating each reward based on a quantity of energy which is saved during the charge-restriction event by the respective vehicle restricting charge rate to the second charge rate instead of enabling charging at the first charge rate.

The method may further comprise receiving a user input indicating the first time period.

The method may further comprise determining the first time period, by determining a peak time period where the quantity of the plurality of vehicles expected to be connected to respective charge stations includes more vehicles than other time periods.

Determining a quantity of the plurality of vehicles expected to be connected to respective charge stations may comprise determining, for each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles, that the vehicle is connected to a respective charge station when a charge port cover of the vehicle is open. The method may further comprise, for each vehicle in the plurality of vehicles: receiving respective charge data for the vehicle for a respective second time period in which the charge port cover of the vehicle has been open; inferring that the vehicle is coupled to a respective charge station if the charge port cover of the vehicle is open and if the respective charge data is indicative of charging of a battery of the vehicle in the respective second time period; and inferring that the vehicle is not coupled to the respective charge station if the charge port cover of the vehicle is not open or if the respective charge data is indicative of no charging of the battery of the vehicle in the respective second time period. The method may further comprise, for each vehicle in the plurality of vehicles: receiving respective movement data for the vehicle indicative of movement of the vehicle for a respective second time period in which the charge port cover of the vehicle has been open; inferring that the vehicle is coupled to a respective charge station if the charge port cover of the vehicle is open and if the respective movement data is indicative of the vehicle not having moved in the respective second time period; and inferring that the vehicle is not coupled to the respective charge station if the charge port cover of the vehicle is not open or if the respective movement data is indicative of the vehicle having moved in the respective second time period. The respective movement data may comprises data selected from a group consisting of: positional data indicating position of the vehicle over time; velocity data indicating movement speed of the vehicle; and inertial data indicating acceleration of the vehicle.

Determining a quantity of the plurality of vehicles expected to be connected to respective charge stations may comprise determining, for each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles, that the vehicle is connected to a respective charge station when the vehicle is proximate to a charge station. Determining, for each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles, that the vehicle is connected to a respective charge station when the vehicle is proximate to a charge station may comprise determining that the vehicle is proximate to a charge station when the vehicle is within a threshold distance of the charge station based on position data from a position sensor of the vehicle. Determining, for each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles, that the vehicle is proximate to a respective charge station may comprise: determining whether the vehicle is communicatively coupled to a wireless network associated with the charge station based on communication data received from a communication interface of the vehicle.

Determining a quantity of the plurality of vehicles expected to be connected to respective charge stations may comprise determining, for each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles, that the vehicle is connected to a respective charge station in response to an indication of the vehicle accepting a pulse of energy from the respective charge station.

According to another broad aspect, the present disclosure describes a system for controlling power distribution to a plurality of vehicles, the system comprising: at least one processor; at least one non-transitory processor-readable storage medium communicatively coupled to the at least one processor; and a communication interface communicatively coupled to the at least one processor, wherein the at least one non-transitory processor-readable storage medium has instructions stored thereon, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the system to: determine a quantity of the plurality of vehicles expected to be connected to respective charge stations during a first time period; determine a quantity of preventable power usage by restricting charging of respective batteries of the quantity of the plurality of vehicles during the first time period, from a first charge rate outside of the first time period to a second charge rate less than the first charge rate during the first time period; and initiate a charge-restriction event during the first time period.

The instructions which cause the system to determine a quantity of the plurality of vehicles expected to be connected to respective charge stations during a first time period may cause the system to: determine, by the at least one processor, a quantity of vehicles which are presently connected to respective charge stations based on connection data indicative of connection between each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles and a respective charge station.

The instructions which cause the system to determine a quantity of the plurality of vehicles expected to be connected to respective charge stations during a first time period may cause the system to: estimate, by the at least one processor, the quantity of the plurality of vehicles based on historical connection data indicative of connection between each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles and a respective charge station.

The system may further comprise a user interface device, and the instructions may further cause the system to, prior to initiating the charge-restriction event: present, by the user interface device, a user interface for initiation of the charge-restriction event; and process, by the at least one processor, a user input received by the user interface device to initiate the charge-restriction event for the plurality of vehicles, and the instructions which cause the system to initiate the charge-restriction event may cause the system to initiate the charge-restriction event in response to the user input to initiate the charge-restriction event.

The instructions which cause the system to initiate the charge-restriction event may cause the system to initiate the charge-restriction event when: power usage during the first time period is expected to exceed a power distribution threshold during the first time period.

The instructions may further cause the system to restrict charging for at least one vehicle of the plurality of vehicles from the first charge rate to the second charge rate during the charge-restriction event.

The instructions may further cause the system to communicate, to at least one vehicle of the plurality of vehicles, an option to restrict charging from the first charge rate to the second charge rate during the charge-restriction event. The instructions may further cause the system to: determine, by the at least one processor, an expected quantity of vehicles which will accept the option to restrict charging from the first charge rate to the second charge rate. The instructions which cause the system to determine an expected quantity of vehicles which will accept the option to restrict charging may cause the at least one processor to: determine the expected quantity of vehicles which will accept the option to restrict charging based on historical acceptance data which is indicative of previous restricting of charging by vehicles of the plurality of vehicles.

Respective charge rate for a set of vehicles of the plurality of vehicles may be restricted to the second charge rate during the first time period; and the instructions may further cause the system to allocate a respective reward for a respective recipient associated with each vehicle in the set of vehicles. The instructions which cause the system to allocate a respective reward for a respective recipient associated with each vehicle of the set of vehicles may cause the system to: allocate each reward based on a quantity of energy which is saved during the charge-restriction event by the respective vehicle restricting charge rate to the second charge rate instead of enabling charging at the first charge rate.

The system may further comprise a user interface device, wherein an indication of the first time period is receivable via the user interface device.

The instructions may further cause the system to determine the first time period, by determining a peak time period where the quantity of the plurality of vehicles expected to be connected to respective charge stations includes more vehicles than other time periods.

The instructions which cause the system to determine a quantity of the plurality of vehicles expected to be connected to respective charge stations may cause the at least one processor to: for each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles, determine that the vehicle is connected to a respective charge station when a charge port cover of the vehicle is open. The instructions may further cause the system to, for each vehicle in the plurality of vehicles: receive respective charge data for the vehicle for a respective second time period in which the charge port of the vehicle has been open; infer, by the at least one processor, that the vehicle is coupled to a respective charge station if the charge port cover of the vehicle is open and if the respective charge data is indicative of charging of a battery of the vehicle in the respective second time period; and infer, by the at least one processor, that the vehicle is not coupled to the respective charge station if the charge port cover of the vehicle is not open or if the respective charge data is indicative of no charging of the battery of the vehicle in the respective second time period. The instructions may further cause the system to, for each vehicle in the plurality of vehicles: receive respective movement data for the vehicle indicative of movement of the vehicle for a respective second time period in which the charge port cover of the vehicle has been open; infer, by the at least one processor, that the vehicle is coupled to a respective charge station if the charge port cover of the vehicle is open and if the respective movement data is indicative of the vehicle not having moved in the respective second time period; and infer, by the at least one processor, that the vehicle is not coupled to the respective charge station if the charge port cover of the vehicle is not open or if the respective movement data is indicative of the vehicle having moved in the respective second time period. The respective movement data may comprise data selected from a group consisting of: positional data indicating position of the vehicle over time; velocity data indicating movement speed of the vehicle; and inertial data indicating acceleration of the vehicle.

The instructions which cause the system to determine a quantity of the plurality of vehicles expected to be connected to respective charge stations may cause the at least one processor to: for each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles, determine that the vehicle is connected to a respective charge station when the vehicle is proximate to a charge station. The instructions which cause the at least one processor to determine, for each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles, that the vehicle is connected to a respective charge station when the vehicle is proximate to a charge station may cause the at least one processor to: determine that the vehicle is proximate to a charge station when the vehicle is within a threshold distance of the charge station based on position data from a position sensor of the vehicle. The instructions which cause the at least one processor to determine, for each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles, that the vehicle is proximate to a respective charge station may cause the at least one processor to: determine whether the vehicle is communicatively coupled to a wireless network associated with the charge station based on communication data received from a communication interface of the vehicle.

The instructions which cause the system to determine a quantity of the plurality of vehicles expected to be connected to respective charge stations may cause the at least one processor to: determine, for each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles, that the vehicle is connected to a respective charge station in response to an indication of the vehicle accepting a pulse of energy from the respective charge station.

According to another broad aspect, the present disclosure describes a method of inferring whether a vehicle is coupled to a charge station, the method comprising: determining, by at least one processor, whether a charge port cover of the vehicle is open; determining, by the at least one processor, whether the vehicle is positioned proximate the charge station; inferring that the vehicle is coupled to the charge station if the charge port cover of the vehicle is open and if the vehicle is positioned proximate the charge station; and inferring that the vehicle is not coupled to the charge station if the charge port cover of the vehicle is not open or if the vehicle is not positioned proximate the charge station.

Determining whether the vehicle is positioned proximate the charge station may comprise: determining whether the vehicle is within a threshold distance of the charge station based on position data from a position sensor of the vehicle.

Determining whether the vehicle is positioned proximate the charge station may comprise: determining whether the vehicle is communicatively coupled to a wireless network associated with the charge station based on communication data received from a communication interface of the vehicle.

The method may further comprise determining whether a vehicle connection facet of the charge station is in a storage configuration; and inferring that the vehicle is coupled to the charge station may comprise: inferring that the vehicle is coupled to the charge station if the charge port cover of the vehicle is open, if the vehicle is positioned proximate the charge station, and if the vehicle connection facet is not in the storage configuration. Inferring that the vehicle is not coupled to the charge station may comprise: inferring that the vehicle is not coupled to the charge station if the charge port cover of the vehicle is not open or if the vehicle is not positioned proximate the charge station, and if the vehicle connection facet is in the storage configuration.

According to another broad aspect, the present disclosure describes a system for inferring whether a vehicle is coupled to a charge station, the system comprising: at least one processor; and at least one non-transitory processor-readable storage medium communicatively coupled to the at least one processor, wherein the at least one non-transitory processor-readable storage medium has instructions stored thereon, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the system to: determine, by the at least one processor, whether a charge port cover of the vehicle is open; determine, by the at least one processor, whether the vehicle is positioned proximate the charge station; infer, by the at least one processor, that the vehicle is coupled to the charge station if the charge port cover of the vehicle is open and if the vehicle is positioned proximate the charge station; and infer, by the at least one processor, that the vehicle is not coupled to the charge station if the charge port cover of the vehicle is closed or if the vehicle is not positioned proximate the charge station.

The instructions which cause the at least one processor to determine whether the vehicle is positioned proximate the charge station may cause the at least one processor to: determine whether the vehicle is within a threshold distance of the charge station based on positional data from a position sensor of the vehicle.

The instructions which cause the at least one processor to determine whether the vehicle is positioned proximate the charge station may cause the at least one processor to: determine whether the vehicle is communicatively coupled to a wireless network associated with the charge station based on communication data from a communication interface of the vehicle.

The instructions may further cause the at least one processor to determine whether a vehicle connection facet of the charge station is in a storage configuration; and the instructions which cause the at least one processor to infer that the vehicle is coupled to the charge station may cause the at least one processor to: infer that the vehicle is coupled to the charge station if the charge port cover of the vehicle is open, if the vehicle is positioned proximate the charge station, and if the vehicle connection facet is not in the storage configuration. The instructions which cause the at least one processor to infer that the vehicle is not coupled to the charge station may cause the at least one processor to: infer that the vehicle is not coupled to the charge station if the charge port cover of the vehicle is not open or if the vehicle is not positioned proximate the charge station, and if the vehicle connection facet is in the storage configuration.

The at least one processor and the at least one non-transitory processor-readable storage medium may be carried by the vehicle. The at least one processor and the at least one non-transitory processor-readable storage medium may be remote from the vehicle.

According to another broad aspect, the present disclosure describes a method of inferring whether a vehicle is coupled to a charge station, the method comprising: determining, by at least one processor, whether a charge port cover of the vehicle is open and a time period since the charge port cover has changed between being closed and being open; determining, by the at least one processor, whether the vehicle has received power from the charge station during the time period; inferring that the vehicle is coupled to the charge station if the charge port cover of the vehicle is open and if the vehicle received power from the charge station during the time period; and inferring that the vehicle is not coupled to the charge station if the charge port cover of the vehicle is closed or if the vehicle has not received power from the charge station during the time period.

The method may further comprise determining whether a vehicle connection facet of the charge station is in a storage configuration; and inferring that the vehicle is coupled to the charge station may comprise: inferring that the vehicle is coupled to the charge station if the charge port cover of the vehicle is open, if the vehicle received power from the charge station during the time period, and if the vehicle connection facet is not in the storage configuration Inferring that the vehicle is not coupled to the charge station may comprise: inferring that the vehicle is not coupled to the charge station if the charge port cover of the vehicle is not open or if the vehicle has not received power from the charge station during the time period, and if the vehicle connection facet is in the storage configuration.

According to another broad aspect, the present disclosure describes a system for inferring whether a vehicle is coupled to a charge station, the system comprising: at least one processor; and at least one non-transitory processor-readable storage medium communicatively coupled to the at least one processor, wherein the at least one non-transitory processor-readable storage medium has instructions stored thereon, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the system to: determine, by the at least one processor, whether a charge port cover of the vehicle is open and a time period since the charge port cover has changed between being closed and being open; determine, by the at least one processor, whether the vehicle has received power from the charge station during the time period; infer that the vehicle is coupled to the charge station if the charge port cover of the vehicle is open and if the vehicle received power from the charge station during the time period; and infer that the vehicle is not coupled to the charge station if the charge port cover of the vehicle is closed or if the vehicle has not received power from the charge station during the time period.

The instructions which cause the at least one processor to determine whether the vehicle has received power from the charge station during the time period may cause the at least one processor to: determine whether the vehicle has received power from the charge station during the time period based on charging data from a charge sensor of the vehicle.

The instructions which cause the at least one processor to determine whether the vehicle has received power from the charge station during the time period may cause the at least one processor to: determine whether the vehicle has received power from the charge station during the time period based on charging data from a power output sensor of the charge station.

The instructions may further cause the at least one processor to determine whether a vehicle connection facet of the charge station is in a storage configuration; and the instructions which cause the at least one processor to infer that the vehicle is coupled to the charge station may cause the at least one processor to: infer that the vehicle is coupled to the charge station if the charge port cover of the vehicle is open, if the vehicle received power from the charge station during the time period, and if the vehicle connection facet is not in the storage configuration. The instructions which cause the at least one processor to infer that the vehicle is not coupled to the charge station may cause the at least one processor to: infer that the vehicle is not coupled to the charge station if the charge port cover of the vehicle is not open or if the vehicle has not received power from the charge station during the time period, and if the vehicle connection facet is in the storage configuration.

According to another broad aspect, the present disclosure describes a method of inferring whether a vehicle is coupled to a charge station, the method comprising: determining, by at least one processor, whether a charge port cover of the vehicle is open and a time period since the charge port cover has changed between being closed and being open; determining, by the at least one processor, whether the vehicle has moved during the time period based on movement data from the vehicle; inferring, by the at least one processor, that the vehicle is coupled to the charge station if the charge port cover of the vehicle is open and if the vehicle has not moved during the time period; and inferring, by the at least one processor, that the vehicle is not coupled to the charge station if the charge port of the vehicle is closed or if the vehicle has moved during the time period.

The movement data may comprise data selected from a group consisting of: positional data indicating position of the vehicle over time; velocity data indicating movement speed of the vehicle; and inertial data indicating acceleration of the vehicle.

The method may further comprise determining whether a vehicle connection facet of the charge station is in a storage configuration; and inferring that the vehicle is coupled to the charge station may comprise: inferring that the vehicle is coupled to the charge station if the charge port cover of the vehicle is open, if the vehicle has not moved during the time period, and if the vehicle connection facet is not in the storage configuration. Inferring that the vehicle is not coupled to the charge station may comprise: inferring that the vehicle is not coupled to the charge station if the charge port cover of the vehicle is not open, if the vehicle has moved during the time period, and if the vehicle connection facet is in the storage configuration.

According to another broad aspect, the present disclosure describes a system for inferring whether a vehicle is coupled to a charge station, the system comprising: at least one processor; and at least one non-transitory processor-readable storage medium communicatively coupled to the at least one processor, wherein the at least one non-transitory processor-readable storage medium has instructions stored thereon, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the system to: determine, by the at least one processor, whether a charge port cover of the vehicle is open and a time period since the charge port cover has changed between being closed and being open; determine, by the at least one processor, whether the vehicle has moved during the time period based on movement data from the vehicle; infer, by the at least one processor, that the vehicle is coupled to the charge station if the charge port cover of the vehicle is open and if the vehicle has not moved during the time period; and infer, by the at least one processor, that the vehicle is not coupled to the charge station if the charge port cover of the vehicle is closed or if the vehicle has moved during the time period.

The movement data may comprise data selected from a group consisting of: positional data indicating position of the vehicle over time; velocity data indicating movement speed of the vehicle; and inertial data indicating acceleration of the vehicle.

The instructions may further cause the at least one processor to determine whether a vehicle connection facet of the charge station is in a storage configuration; and the instructions which cause the at least one processor to infer that the vehicle is coupled to the charge station may cause the at least one processor to: infer that the vehicle is coupled to the charge station if the charge port cover of the vehicle is open, if the vehicle has not moved during the time period, and if the vehicle connection facet is not in the storage configuration. The instructions which cause the at least one processor to infer that the vehicle is not coupled to the charge station may cause the at least one processor to: infer that the vehicle is not coupled to the charge station if the charge port cover of the vehicle is not open or if the vehicle has moved during the time period, and if the vehicle connection facet is in the storage configuration.

According to another broad aspect, the present disclosure describes a method of determining whether a vehicle is coupled to a charge station, the method comprising: outputting, by the charge station, a pulse of power to be received by the vehicle; measuring energy expended by outputting the pulse of power; if the energy expended is over an energy threshold, determining that the vehicle is coupled to the charge station; and if the energy expended is not over the energy threshold, determining that the vehicle is not coupled to the charge station.

According to another broad aspect, the present disclosure describes a system for determining whether a vehicle is coupled to a charge station, the system comprising: at least one processor; and at least one non-transitory processor-readable storage medium communicatively coupled to the at least one processor, wherein the at least one non-transitory processor-readable storage medium has instructions stored thereon, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the system to: measure energy expended by a pulse of power from the charge station to the vehicle; if the energy expended is over an energy threshold, determining that the vehicle is coupled to the charge station; and if the energy expended is not over the energy threshold, determining that the vehicle is not coupled to the charge station.

The at least one processor and the at least one non-transitory processor-readable storage medium may be carried by the charge station; and the instructions may further cause the charge station to output the pulse of power.

The at least one processor and the at least one non-transitory processor-readable storage medium may be carried by the vehicle.

The at least one processor and the at least one non-transitory processor-readable storage medium may be carried by an intermediate device operable to be coupled between the vehicle and the charge station, where power provided from the charge station to the vehicle is provided through the intermediate device.

According to another broad aspect, the present disclosure describes a method of inferring whether a charge station is coupled to a vehicle, the method comprising: determining, by at least one processor, whether a vehicle connection facet of the charge station is in a storage configuration; determining, by the at least one processor, whether the vehicle is positioned proximate the charge station; inferring that the charge station is coupled to the vehicle if the vehicle connection facet is not in the storage configuration and if the vehicle is positioned proximate the charge station; and inferring that the charge station is not coupled to the vehicle if the vehicle connection facet is in the storage configuration or if the vehicle is not positioned proximate the charge station.

Determining whether the vehicle is positioned proximate the charge station may comprise: determining whether the vehicle is within a threshold distance of the charge station based on position data from a position sensor of the vehicle.

Determining whether the vehicle is positioned proximate the charge station may comprise: determining whether the vehicle is communicatively coupled to a wireless network associated with the charge station based on communication data received from a communication interface of the vehicle.

The method may further comprise determining whether a charge port cover of the vehicle is open; and inferring that the charge station is coupled to the vehicle may comprise: inferring that the charge station is coupled to the vehicle if the vehicle connection facet is not in the storage configuration, if the vehicle is positioned proximate the charge station, and if the charge port cover of the vehicle is open. Inferring that the charge station is not coupled to the vehicle may comprise: inferring that the charge station is not coupled to the vehicle if the vehicle connection facet is in the storage configuration or if the vehicle is not positioned proximate the charge station, and if the charge port cover of the vehicle is not open.

According to another broad aspect, the present disclosure describes a system for inferring whether a charge station is coupled to a vehicle, the system comprising: at least one processor; and at least one non-transitory processor-readable storage medium communicatively coupled to the at least one processor, wherein the at least one non-transitory processor-readable storage medium has instructions stored thereon, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the system to: determine, by the at least one processor, whether a vehicle connection facet of the charge station is in a storage configuration; determine, by the at least one processor, whether the vehicle is positioned proximate the charge station; infer, by the at least one processor, that the charge station is coupled to the vehicle if the vehicle connection facet is not in the storage configuration and if the vehicle is positioned proximate the charge station; and infer, by the at least one processor, that the charge station is not coupled to the vehicle if the vehicle connection facet is in the storage configuration or if the vehicle is not positioned proximate the charge station.

The instructions which cause the at least one processor to determine whether the vehicle is positioned proximate the charge station may cause the at least one processor to: determine whether the vehicle is within a threshold distance of the charge station based on positional data from a position sensor of the vehicle.

The instructions which cause the at least one processor to determine whether the vehicle is positioned proximate the charge station may cause the at least one processor to: determine whether the vehicle is communicatively coupled to a wireless network associated with the charge station based on communication data from a communication interface of the vehicle.

The instructions may further cause the at least one processor to determine whether a charge port cover of the vehicle is open; and the instructions which cause the at least one processor to infer that the charge station is coupled to the vehicle may cause the at least one processor to: infer that the charge station is coupled to the vehicle if the vehicle connection facet is not in the storage configuration, if the vehicle is positioned proximate the charge station, and if the charge port cover of the vehicle is open. The instructions which cause the at least one processor to infer that the charge station is not coupled to the vehicle may cause the at least one processor to: infer that the charge station is not coupled to the vehicle if the vehicle connection facet is in the storage configuration or if the vehicle is not positioned proximate the charge station, and if the charge port cover of the vehicle is not open.

The at least one processor and the at least one non-transitory processor-readable storage medium may be carried by the vehicle. The at least one processor and the at least one non-transitory processor-readable storage medium may be remote from the vehicle.

According to another broad aspect, the present disclosure describes a method of inferring whether a charge station is coupled to a vehicle, the method comprising: determining, by at least one processor, whether a vehicle connection facet of the charge station is in a storage configuration and a time period since the vehicle connection facet of the charge station has changed between not being in the storage configuration and being in the storage configuration; determining, by the at least one processor, whether the charge station has provided power to the vehicle during the time period; inferring that the charge station is coupled to the vehicle if the vehicle connection facet is not in the storage configuration and if the charge station has provided power to the vehicle during the time period; and inferring that the charge station is not coupled to the vehicle if the vehicle connection facet is in the storage configuration or if the charge station has not provided power to the vehicle during the time period.

The method may further comprise determining whether a charge port cover of the vehicle is open; and inferring that the charge station is coupled to the vehicle may comprise: inferring that the charge station is coupled to the vehicle if the vehicle connection facet is not in the storage configuration, if the charge station has provided power to the vehicle during the time period, and if the charge port cover of the vehicle is open. Inferring that the charge station is not coupled to the vehicle may comprise: inferring that the charge station is not coupled to the vehicle if the vehicle connection facet is in the storage configuration or if the charge station has not provided power to the vehicle during the time period, and if the charge port cover of the vehicle is not open.

According to another broad aspect, the present disclosure describes a system for inferring whether a charge station is coupled to a vehicle, the system comprising: at least one processor; and at least one non-transitory processor-readable storage medium communicatively coupled to the at least one processor, wherein the at least one non-transitory processor-readable storage medium has instructions stored thereon, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the system to: determine, by the at least one processor, whether a vehicle connection facet of the charge station is in a storage configuration and a time period since the vehicle connection facet of the charge station has changed between not being in the storage configuration and being in the storage configuration; determine, by the at least one processor, whether the charge station has provided power to the vehicle during the time period; infer that the vehicle is coupled to the charge station if the vehicle connection facet is not in the storage configuration and if the charge station has provided power to the vehicle during the time period; and infer that the vehicle is not coupled to the charge station if the vehicle connection facet is in the storage configuration or if the charge station has not provided power to the vehicle during the time period.

The instructions which cause the at least one processor to determine whether the charge station has provided power to the vehicle during the time period may cause the at least one processor to: determine whether the vehicle has received power from the charge station during the time period based on charging data from a charge sensor of the vehicle.

The instructions which cause the at least one processor to determine whether the charge station has provided power to the vehicle during the time period may cause the at least one processor to: determine whether the charge station has provided power to the vehicle during the time period based on charging data from a power output sensor of the charge station.

The instructions may further cause the at least one processor to determine whether a charge port cover of the vehicle is open; and the instructions which cause the at least one processor to infer that the charge station is coupled to the vehicle may cause the at least one processor to: infer that the charge station is coupled to the vehicle if the vehicle connection facet is not in the storage configuration, if the charge station has provided power to the vehicle during the time period, and if the charge port cover of the vehicle is open. The instructions which cause the at least one processor to infer that the charge station is not coupled to the vehicle may cause the at least one processor to: infer that the charge station is not coupled to the vehicle if the vehicle connection facet is in the storage configuration or if the charge station has not provided power to the vehicle during the time period, and if the charge port cover of the vehicle is not open.

According to another broad aspect, the present disclosure describes a method of inferring whether a charge station is coupled to a vehicle, the method comprising: determining, by at least one processor, whether a vehicle connection facet of the charge station is in a storage configuration and a time period since the vehicle connection facet of the charge station has changed between not being in the storage configuration and being in the storage configuration; determining, by the at least one processor, whether the vehicle has moved during the time period based on movement data from the vehicle; inferring, by the at least one processor, that the charge station is coupled to the vehicle if the vehicle connection facet is not in the storage configuration and if the vehicle has not moved during the time period; and inferring, by the at least one processor, that the charge station is not coupled to the vehicle if the vehicle connection facet is in the storage configuration or if the vehicle has moved during the time period.

The movement data may comprise data selected from a group consisting of: positional data indicating position of the vehicle over time; velocity data indicating movement speed of the vehicle; and inertial data indicating acceleration of the vehicle.

The method may further comprise determining whether a charge port cover of the vehicle is open; and inferring that the charge station is coupled to the vehicle may comprise: inferring that the charge station is coupled to the vehicle if the vehicle connection facet is not in the storage configuration, if the vehicle has not moved during the time period, and if the charge port cover of the vehicle is open. Inferring that the charge station is not coupled to the vehicle may comprise: inferring that the charge station is not coupled to the vehicle if the vehicle connection facet is in the storage configuration or if the vehicle has moved during the time period, and if the charge port cover of the vehicle is not open.

According to another broad aspect, the present disclosure describes a system for inferring whether a charge station is coupled to a vehicle, the system comprising: at least one processor; and at least one non-transitory processor-readable storage medium communicatively coupled to the at least one processor, wherein the at least one non-transitory processor-readable storage medium has instructions stored thereon, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the system to: determine, by the at least one processor, whether a vehicle connection facet of the charge station is in a storage configuration and a time period since the vehicle connection facet of the charge station has changed between not being in the storage configuration and being in the storage configuration; determine, by the at least one processor, whether the vehicle has moved during the time period based on movement data from the vehicle; infer, by the at least one processor, that the charge station is coupled to the vehicle if the vehicle connection facet is not in the storage configuration and if the vehicle has not moved during the time period; and infer, by the at least one processor, that the vehicle is not coupled to the charge station if the vehicle connection facet is in the storage configuration or if the vehicle has moved during the time period.

The movement data may comprise data selected from a group consisting of: positional data indicating position of the vehicle over time; velocity data indicating movement speed of the vehicle; and inertial data indicating acceleration of the vehicle.

The instructions may further cause the at least one processor to determine whether a charge port cover of the vehicle is open; and the instructions which cause the at least one processor to infer that the charge station is coupled to the vehicle may cause the at least one processor to: infer that the charge station is coupled to the vehicle if the vehicle connection facet is not in the storage configuration, if the vehicle has not moved during the time period, and if the charge port cover of the vehicle is open. The instructions which cause the at least one processor to infer that the charge station is not coupled to the vehicle may cause the at least one processor to: infer that the charge station is not coupled to the vehicle if the vehicle connection facet is in the storage configuration or if the vehicle has moved during the time period, and if the charge port cover of the vehicle is not open.

