The eco‐driving strategy is of great significance in driving cost for plug‐in hybrid electric vehicles in driving trips, especially at signalized intersections. To address the issue of further energy saving, this study proposes an ecological approach and departure‐driving strategy by using syncretic learning with trapezoidal collocation algorithm. First, a syncretic learning‐based speed predictor is built by merging back propagation neural networks and radial basis function neural networks. Second, the syncretic learning‐based speed predictor and trapezoidal collocation algorithm are combined to optimize the speed trajectory. Third, the torque between the engine and the motor is distributed by the dynamic programming algorithm. Then, model predictive control optimizes torque output in the control time domain. Finally, the driving interval optimization method is designed to avoid mixed‐integer programming problems and redundant constraints, which make vehicles cross intersections without stopping. The numerical verification results show that the trapezoidal collocation algorithm with syncretic learning has more advantages than other methods in speed trajectory planning. Compared with the original trajectory, the driving time through the intersection is reduced and the total driving cost is lowered by 19.82%. Validation results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed strategy in energy consumption management at signalized intersections.