A rear-wheel drive propulsion system for a mobility vehicle includes at least two electric machines and two transmission devices. Each machine is associated with one transmission device and operates independently of one another.

To arrange a power unit, an electric power conversion unit, and engine-related components compactly, a drive motor, a reduction drive, a generator, and an engine body are integrally arranged in this order in a vehicle width direction of a power unit compartment such that respective heights thereof are substantially the same. An electric power conversion unit, in which a motor inverter, an electric power generation inverter, and a DC/DC converter are integrated, is arranged above the drive motor, the reduction drive, and the generator. Engine-related components such as a low-voltage battery, an air cleaner, and an oil filter are arranged above the engine body.

In a controller and a control method for a power converter of a vehicle, the power converter has a first operation mode and a second operation mode defining power supply modes of first and second DC power supplies with respect to a load. The first operation mode is an operation mode set when the first and second DC power supplies are electrically connected in series to an electric wire electrically connected to the load. The second operation mode is an operation mode set when the first and second DC power supplies are electrically connected in parallel to the electric wire. The controller includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to execute warm-up promotion control of a catalytic device. The electronic control unit is configured to set the operation mode of the power converter to the second operation mode when executing the warm-up promotion control.

A minivan-type plug-in hybrid electric vehicle includes a battery, a fuel tank, and an exhaust pipe, which are disposed under a floor panel. The battery is disposed so as to extend over both the right area and the left area of the vehicle. The center of gravity of the battery is offset toward a first side in the vehicle width direction from the center in the vehicle width direction. The exhaust pipe is disposed on a second side of the battery, opposite to the first side, in the vehicle width direction. The exhaust pipe is disposed to a side of the battery.

A minivan-type plug-in hybrid electric vehicle includes a fuel tank, a battery, an exhaust pipe, and a high-voltage component that receives a high voltage. The plug-in hybrid electric vehicle further includes a first-row seat and a second-row seat, which are disposed on a floor panel forming a floor surface of a passenger compartment. In the vehicle front-rear direction, the first-row seat is positioned rearward of the front wheels, and the second-row seat is positioned rearward of the first-row seat and forward of the rear wheels. The second-row seat is slidable on the floor panel in the vehicle front-rear direction. The battery, the fuel tank, and the exhaust pipe are disposed below the floor panel. The high-voltage component is disposed under the first-row seat and above the floor panel.

This invention provides for a multi-disciplinary energy harnessing mechanism for outfitting a vehicle. Accordingly, sub-systems for harnessing energy from various sources of renewable energy occurring in vicinity of/incidental to the vehicle, such as 5 solar, waste heat, running water, flowing wind, mechanical impacts, heat from the road surface being traversed are integrated into a vehicle whereby the effective range of the vehicle is increased while reducing the frequency and amount of charging otherwise required from the electric grid.