A system for controlling operational modes of a hybrid electric vehicle, the system comprising: a rechargeable energy storage device coupled to an electrical motor for powering the vehicle; a range-extending engine coupled to a generator for powering the vehicle; and a controller operable by a user to select an operational mode of the vehicle from among a plurality of operational modes including at least a first operational mode enabling a control system of the vehicle to turn the range-extending engine on and a second operational mode for electric-only operation; wherein the first operational mode is selectable only if an all-electric range of the vehicle is less than a first predetermined value, wherein the AER is the distance the vehicle can achieve under electric power only; wherein the range-extending engine is enabled in response to selection of the first operational mode by the controller, wherein the system is adapted for: determining, while the first operational mode is active, whether the energy storage device of the vehicle has been recharged such that the AER of the vehicle is greater than a second predetermined value; maintaining the vehicle in the first operational mode if the energy storage device has not been recharged such that the AER is above the second predetermined value; activating the second operational mode if the energy storage device has been recharged such that the AER is determined to be greater than the second predetermined value; providing a first indication to the user of the vehicle that the AER is less than the first predetermined value; providing a second indication to the user of the vehicle that the AER is at or less than a third predetermined value that is less than the first predetermined value, and activating a third mode for reducing performance of the vehicle relative to the second operational mode if the AER is at or less than the third predetermined value. a rechargeable energy storage device coupled to an electrical motor for powering the vehicle; a range-extending engine coupled to a generator for powering the vehicle; and a controller operable by a user to select an operational mode of the vehicle from among a plurality of operational modes including at least a first operational mode enabling a control system of the vehicle to turn the range-extending engine on and a second operational mode for electric-only operation; a first operational mode enabling a control system of the vehicle to turn the range-extending engine on and a second operational mode for electric-only operation; wherein the first operational mode is selectable only if an all-electric range of the vehicle is less than a first predetermined value, wherein the AER is the distance the vehicle can achieve under electric power only; wherein the range-extending engine is enabled in response to selection of the first operational mode by the controller, wherein the system is adapted for: determining, while the first operational mode is active, whether the energy storage device of the vehicle has been recharged such that the AER of the vehicle is greater than a second predetermined value; maintaining the vehicle in the first operational mode if the energy storage device has not been recharged such that the AER is above the second predetermined value; activating the second operational mode if the energy storage device has been recharged such that the AER is determined to be greater than the second predetermined value; providing a first indication to the user of the vehicle that the AER is less than the first predetermined value; providing a second indication to the user of the vehicle that the AER is at or less than a third predetermined value that is less than the first predetermined value, and activating a third mode for reducing performance of the vehicle relative to the second operational mode if the AER is at or less than the third predetermined value. determining, while the first operational mode is active, whether the energy storage device of the vehicle has been recharged such that the AER of the vehicle is greater than a second predetermined value; maintaining the vehicle in the first operational mode if the energy storage device has not been recharged such that the AER is above the second predetermined value; activating the second operational mode if the energy storage device has been recharged such that the AER is determined to be greater than the second predetermined value; providing a first indication to the user of the vehicle that the AER is less than the first predetermined value; providing a second indication to the user of the vehicle that the AER is at or less than a third predetermined value that is less than the first predetermined value, and activating a third mode for reducing performance of the vehicle relative to the second operational mode if the AER is at or less than the third predetermined value.