METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING COLD START EMISSION REDUCTION

Methods and systems are provided for controlling a drive system in a hybrid electric vehicle. In an exemplary embodiment, the drive system has combustion engine and an electric motor, and a method includes: obtaining, via one or more sensors, sensor data pertaining to the hybrid electric vehicle; determining, via a processor, whether cold start emission reduction is required, based on the sensor data; and providing an increase in torque provided by the electric motor, via instructions provided by the processor to the drive system, when it is determined that the cold start emission reduction is required.