STRUCTURE FOR PROTECTING DRIVE DEVICE

A drive device protection structure has a rotary electric machine, a gearbox connected the rotary electric machine, an undercover disposed underneath the drive device and a protecting plate provided to the undercover. The rotary electric machine has a rotary electric machine housing that has a rotary electric machine flange. The gearbox has a gearbox housing that has a gearbox flange. The rotary electric machine flange and the gearbox flange are connected together. The rotary electric machine flange and the gearbox flange are formed such that a lower surface of the gearbox flange is positioned lower than a lower surface of the rotary electric machine flange. The protecting plate is formed of a material more rigid than a material of the undercover. The protecting plate is provided beneath connecting part between the rotary electric machine flange and the gearbox flange so as to face the connecting part.