A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle includes the following: (a) receiving route data for a trip route; (b) determining a drive profile for the trip route based on the route data and vehicle information; (c) determining an energy deficit distribution based on an adjusted tractive power distribution defined by the drive profile compared with a generator power of the vehicle; (d) determining a minimum energy requirement energy deficit distribution; (e) determining a state of charge (SOC) threshold based on the minimum energy requirement; and (f) commanding the powertrain to operate in a charging mode when the SOC threshold is greater than the SOC of an energy storage device of the vehicle. The charging mode may be one of a condensed charging mode, a standard charging mode, and a prolonged charging mode.