OPERATOR-SELECTED OPERATION OF ELECTRIC PROPULSION SYSTEM HAVING RECONFIGURABLE SERIES/PARALLEL VOLTAGE SOURCE

An electric propulsion system includes a rotary electric machine having an output member, a rechargeable energy storage system (“RESS”) connected to the electric machine, a user interface device, and a controller. The RESS includes multiple battery modules and a switching circuit, the latter being configured, in response to electronic switching control signals, to connect the battery modules in a parallel-connected (“P-connected”) configuration or a series-connected (“S-connected”) configuration, as a selected battery configuration. The user interface device receives an operator-requested drive mode signal indicative of a desired drive mode of the electric propulsion system. The controller, which is programmed with mode-specific electrical losses associated with the desired drive mode, establishes the selected battery configuration in response to the drive mode signal, and presents a drive mode recommendation via the user interface device when the losses associated with the desired drive mode exceed a calibrated loss threshold.