Hybrid vehicle capable of reducing NOx emissions and method of operating same

In a hybrid vehicle including an internal combustion engine (1), an electric motor (4), a generator (3), a battery (9), and a catalytic converter (11) disposed in an exhaust system of the engine, a determination is made as to whether a condition for stopping the engine is established, based on an operating state of the vehicle. Then, the fuel supply to the engine is cut off when the condition for stopping the engine is established, and a load (for example, a load of the generator) is applied to the engine so as to restrict rotation of the engine.