SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AN ELECTRICALLY DRIVEN DIRECT INJECTION FUEL PUMP

Methods and systems are provided for operating an electric motor to drive either a transmission fluid pump or a direct injection fuel pump. In one example, a method may include operating an electric motor to drive a direct injection fuel pump to supply fuel to a direct injection fuel rail while an engine of a start/stop vehicle is on, and operating the electric motor to drive an auxiliary transmission fluid pump to circulate transmission fluid to a transmission rotationally coupled to the engine while the engine is off during an auto-stop. In this way, the direct injection fuel pump may be electrically driven without increasing vehicle costs through adding an additional electric motor.