A computing device-implemented method includes receiving data representative of one or more operational parameters for a vehicle, calculating the fuel rate required for an internal combustion engine of the vehicle to respond to the operational parameters, determining if the required fuel rate exceeds a threshold which would cause a state change in the performance of the internal combustion engine, if the required fuel rate exceeds the threshold, calculating an amount of assistance required for an electric hybrid traction motor to provide to a drivetrain of the vehicle to implement the received operational parameters of the vehicle, and providing the amount of assistance to the drivetrain of the vehicle, thereby preventing the state change in the performance of the internal combustion engine.