The Vehicle Control Unit (VCU) acts as the primary brain of an EV or hybrid, coordinating the functions of the motor inverters, battery management system, and thermal management. It interprets driver inputs from the accelerator and brake pedals to dictate torque delivery, regenerative braking, and power distribution, taking over the role traditionally held by the engine control module in combustion cars.
We can't get the drive motors to engage because the VCU isn't seeing the high-voltage interlock signal.
Also heard as
- vehicle control unit
Related terms
ECU
The primary computer that manages engine performance, fuel delivery and emissions.
ECM
The electronic control module that manages a vehicle's engine and sometimes transmission.
CAN
A controller area network bus that allows vehicle microcontrollers and devices to communicate.
EV
An electric vehicle uses one or more electric motors for propulsion instead of an internal combustion engine.