An apparatus for starting an engine 11 of a mild hybrid vehicle 5 is disclosed having low and high voltage starting devices 13 and 14 controlled by an electronic controller 10. The electronic controller 10 is operable to use the high voltage starting device 14 as a motor to crank the engine 11 whenever possible so as to partially discharge a high voltage battery 18 and facilitate the increased use of automatic stopping and starting of the engine 11.