A drive
system of an
electric vehicle includes: an
internal combustion engine; a generating motor provided so as to be able to generate
electricity by receiving motive force from the
internal combustion engine; and a travel motor provided so as to be able to be driven by
electric power generated by the generating motor, and the drive
system is configured so as to be able to switch a series
hybrid mode and an engine direct connected mode, the series
hybrid mode being a mode in which, while the
internal combustion engine and the
drive wheel are linked via a first
clutch so as to be unlinkable / linkable, the travel motor and the
drive wheel are linked via a second
clutch different from the first
clutch so as to be unlinkable / linkable, and the travel motor is used as a drive power source such that the
electric vehicle travels by transmitting motive force from the travel motor to the
drive wheel, the engine direct connected mode being a mode in which at least one of the internal
combustion engine and the generator is used as a drive power source such that the
electric vehicle travels by transmitting motive force from the drive power source to the drive wheel. At a
mode switching time from the engine direct connected mode to the series
hybrid mode involving deceleration, when the rotation synchronization or the engagement of the second clutch on an engagement side is not completed before the vehicle speed is decelerated to a predetermined vehicle speed, the first clutch on a disengagement side is disengaged before the engagement of the second clutch is completed.