Hybrid vehicle control with selection of drive mode according to energy conversion efficiency in electric drive

摘要

A drive control apparatus for an automotive vehicle having an electric motor (14) operated by an electric energy generated by an electric generator (14) and stored in an energy storage device (22), and an engine (12) operated by combustion of a fuel, the apparatus having an engine drive mode and a motor drive mode in which the vehicle is driven by the engine and the motor, respectively, and an electricity generating mode in which the electric generator is operated by the engine to charge the energy storage device, and including a drive source selecting device for selecting one of the engine drive mode and the motor drive mode, on the basis of a first value in the engine drive mode of a physical quantity relating to a condition of the engine and a second value of the same physical quantity, which second value reflects energy conversion efficiencies of the electric generator (14), electric motor (14) and electric energy storage device (22) in the electricity generating mode.