A hybrid electric vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, a high voltage traction battery, an electric motor powered by the traction battery, an electric air conditioning (AC) system, and a controller. The controller is programmed to start the vehicle. The vehicle is started by, if a climate control demand requires cooling: (a) if a vehicle start request is a remote start request, starting the engine; (b) if the vehicle start request is a local start request, avoiding starting the engine to provide a silent start.