Patent ID: 6932175

Claim:
A hybrid vehicle control apparatus comprising: an internal combustion engine configured to be selectively operated in one of a compression self-ignition combustion operating mode and a spark ignition combustion operating mode; an electric generator mechanically coupled to the internal combustion engine; an electric storage device electrically coupled to the electric generator; a remaining capacity detecting device configured to detect a remaining capacity of the electric storage device; an electric motor electrically coupled to the electric storage device; and an operating mode selecting device configured to control an operating state of the internal combustion engine, the electric generator, and the electric motor, and to select one of the compression self-ignition combustion operating mode and the spark ignition combustion operating mode in accordance with a required vehicle output. the operating mode selecting device being further configured to select the spark ignition combustion operating mode irrespective of the required vehicle output, and to charge the electric storage device, when the remaining capacity of the electric storage device is less than a first prescribed capacity that was established as a minimum value of the electric storage device.