A vehicle includes a connector for coupling a battery in the vehicle to a load external to the vehicle. An energy management system includes a controller that is programmed to operate the battery in a vehicle according to a target state of charge range that is defined by upper and lower state of charge limits. In response to receiving a request to prepare for power generation at a destination prior to arriving at the destination, the controller increases the lower state of charge limit as the distance to the destination decreases. In response to the request, the battery is operated during the drive cycle to the destination so that the battery state of charge at the destination allows the battery to provide power to the external load for a predetermined period of time before an engine is started.