Hybrid HC absorber/EHC PZEV exhaust architecture

A method, comprising:

• operating a combustion engine in a hybrid vehicle at an air-fuel ratio that is less than a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio during a first time period and at a generally stoichiometric air-fuel ratio during a second time period after the first time period, the hybrid vehicle including the combustion engine, an electric motor, and a battery that powers the electric motor;
• trapping hydrocarbons (HC) from an exhaust gas from the combustion engine during the first time period in a HC absorber that is in communication with the exhaust gas and upstream of an electrically heated catalyst (EHC) that is in communication with the exhaust gas;
• energizing the EHC with the battery during the first time period;
• and
• oxidizing HC from the exhaust gas within the EHC during the second time period.