VEHICLE THERMAL MANAGEMENT FLOW CONTROL ASSEMBLY AND FLOW CONTROL METHOD

An exemplary vehicle assembly includes, among other things, an inlet duct that opens to a duct opening within a side of a cargo bed. The inlet duct is configured to communicate a flow of air to a heat exchange module that manages thermal energy levels of a traction battery. A flow control structure is moved relative to the duct opening to selectively restrict or permit the flow of air entering the inlet duct through the duct opening. A flow control method includes, among other things, selectively blocking at least a portion of a duct opening to adjust a flow of air moved through the duct opening into an inlet duct. To manage thermal energy within a traction battery, the method further includes exchanging thermal energy between the air and another fluid at a heat exchange module that is disposed within a chamber of a cargo bed.