Patent ID: 7055636

Claim:
A parallel hybrid vehicle comprising: an engine and a drive motor capable of transmitting power to an output shaft; a transmission interposed between the output shaft and the engine; a battery device electrically connected to the drive motor; and a controller configured to: calculate a target driving power in accordance with an operating condition of the vehicle; calculate a fuel consumption rate per power unit at all possible operating points of the engine and drive motor to realize the target driving power; set a target fuel consumption rate on a basis of the vehicle operating condition; search for an operating point of the engine and drive motor at which a fuel consumption rate that is equal to the target fuel consumption rate can be realized; when an operating point at which a fuel consumption rate that is equal to the target fuel consumption rate can be realized has been found, control the engine and drive motor to achieve the operating point; and when an operating point at which a fuel consumption rate that is equal to the target fuel consumption rate can be realized is not found, correct the fuel consumption rate relating to driving power with only the fuel consumption rate relating to electric power for charging the battery device set at a predetermined value which is smaller than an actual fuel consumption rate, select an operating point at which the fuel consumption rate relating to driving power reaches a minimum, and control the engine and drive motor to achieve the selected operating point.