charge state of the filter device 6 as a result the hydrocarbons are scavenged into the intake section 3 and are fed from the filter material 8 to combustion according to the invention an operating strategy is provided in which the refueling emissions are scavenged from the filter device 6 promptly after a refueling process by a forced start of the internal combustion engine 2 the forced start of the internal combustion engine 2 is carried out whenever the hybrid vehicle is or could be driven in a purely electric mode the forced start of the internal combustion engine 2 is carried out even though the fuel tank 7 is not completely filled with fuel a refueling process may be detected by a change in a filling level sensor signal or by detecting a release of a tank valve on vehicles with a pressurized tank if a refueling process is detected a corresponding signal is transmitted to a control unit that is used for the operating strategy according to the invention the operating strategy of the invention advantageously provides the maximum absorption capability of hydrocarbons of the filter device 6 promptly after refueling this is particularly advantageous for motor vehicles operated in the united states and in which the refueling gases are fed into the filter device 6 as a result undesired escaping of hydrocarbons into the environment or surroundings reliably is prevented in this context the invention intentionally accepts a small disadvantage in the form of slightly increased fuel consumption as a result of the forced start of the internal combustion engine 2 to achieve the more important assurance of avoiding a release of hydrocarbons into the environment the operating strategy of the invention keeps a low charging of the filter device 6 in particular of.