Luxury carmaker Lexus has announced development and introduction of ‘Predictive Efficient Drive’, a new technology that helps improve the performance of its hybrid electric and plug-in hybrid electric systems, reducing fuel consumption and exhaust emissions. 

The system analyses driving habits and real-time traffic information to maximise energy recovery and electrified driving. With the help of the Lexus Link app, selected Lexus hybrid and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles with embedded navigation systems will be able to learn a driver’s regular routes and driving style, while simultaneously looking ahead via live traffic data to anticipate opportunities to save fuel.

More economical driving is automatically and seamlessly achieved by optimising the charging and discharging of the battery on hybrid models, and the use of full-electric or hybrid modes on PHEV vehicles.  

Data in the navigation system helps Predictive Efficient Drive identify journey sections where sudden deceleration happens – locations where regenerative braking can automatically be increased to maximise energy recovery. During navigation, when traffic is detected on the route ahead, the system proactively charges the battery to reduce the need for the engine to be used in slow or stop-start traffic. Additionally, the technology analyses upcoming traffic and road conditions, such as up/downhill or urban/motorway sections, and seamlessly adjusts battery charging and discharging for lower fuel consumption.  

The smart system becomes increasingly effective the more it is used, so as the number of kilometres driven increases, so does the volume of data at its disposal; this is then used to make ever more efficient use of the vehicle’s electrified powertrain. 

Predictive Efficient Drive had debuted in the latest Lexus NX hybrid and plug-in hybrid models with embedded Lexus Link Pro navigation and is expected to be rolled out to other models in the future.