DRIVER ALERT SYSTEMS AND CONTROL LOGIC WITH POWERTRAIN POTENTIAL ENERGY INDICATIONS IN ELECTRIC-DRIVE VEHICLES

Presented are driver alert systems with control logic for powertrain energy tracking and reporting, methods for making/using such systems, and electric-drive vehicles with alert systems for providing driver cues to indicate real-time potential energy buildup in the powertrain. A method of operating a driver alert system for an electric-drive vehicle includes a vehicle controller receiving a selection of a powertrain operating mode. Responsive to the received selection, the vehicle controller determines a buildup of output torque generated via an electric traction motor for an impending vehicle maneuver associated with the selected powertrain operating mode. The controller accesses a memory-stored, torque-based lookup table to retrieve an output level calibrated to an in-vehicle sensory output device and corresponding to an output torque value for the determined torque buildup. The controller then commands the sensory output device to generate a driver-perceptible visible, audible, and/or tactile cue based on the retrieved output level.