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Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are typically built to provide a small, electric only driving range when fully charged. However, in parallel and series-parallel (blended) PHEVs the electric only driving power is usually limited to a fraction of the system power output. This means that during electric only operation there are some driving maneuvers that can force the internal combustion engine (ICE) to start in order to support the driver’s power request. The first time this happens after an extended vehicle soak, the engine and aftertreatment system are cold and the engine must go from an off-state to a high-speed and load-state as quickly as possible to support driver demand. This phenomenon is known as a high-power cold-start (HPCS).

Hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) powertrains have become key to developing environmentally friendly and fuel efficient vehicles. As such, companies are continually investing in developing new hybrid powertrain architectures. Ford Motor Company has developed a new “Dual-Drive” full hybrid electric vehicle that overcomes some attribute deficiencies of existing hybrid powertrain architectures due to the kinematic arrangement of the engine, motors and driveline components. This hybrid powertrain is comprised of conventional powertrain components as its base with an electric motor on the rear axle, and a crank integrated starter generator, engine and transmission on the front axle. It forms a complex configuration which provides fuel economy improvement over a conventional powertrain.