A hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) that includes one or more controller(s) configured to manage electric only and combustion engine drive modes, and at start-up, to generate a trip distance, and to detect an electric drive range, and battery, cabin, and powertrain thermal demands, among other conditions. The controller(s) engage a combustion engine drive mode if the distance exceeds the range, and the thermal demands exceed respective thresholds. The controller(s) also engage an electric drive mode if the range exceeds the distance, and the threshold exceed the thermal demands. Further variations include the controller(s) responsive to receiving a destination, and communicating the destination to a navigation system, and detecting if a charge event is likely to occur at the destination. In other arrangements, the controller(s) also adjust the trip distance upon detecting an historical probability of a charge event at the destination and whether the destination is a final destination.