ELECTRICALLY POWERED VEHICLE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING SAME

The SOC of a power storage device provided in an electrically powered vehicle is controlled not to fall out of a SOC control range (151, 152). When a SOC estimate value reaches a control lower limit value (SOCl) during vehicle traveling, a power generating structure provided in the vehicle starts to charge the power storage device. In the case of low temperature and/or deterioration of the power storage device, i.e., in the case where decrease of performance of the power storage device is concerned, the control lower limit value (SOCl) is increased as compared with that in a normal state. As a result, decrease of driveability and decrease of startability of an engine in the hybrid vehicle, both otherwise caused by insufficient output electric power from the power storage device, can be avoided.