A drive state shift control apparatus and method switches a hybrid drive (HEV) mode to an electric drive (EV) mode without engine stoppage shock or eliminates gearshifting shock in an electric vehicle. In response to a decrease in accelerator opening APO, a request for fourth-to-fifth upshift is issued, then request for HEV-to-EV mode shift is issued. At the time of the upshift, a direct clutch D/C is disengaged. At a first time interval after the mode shift is issued, a first clutch is disengaged. At a second time interval after the mode shift is issued, the engine begins to stop and the rotational speed of the motor-generator is controlled so that the speed falls to a predetermined rotational speed close to an after-gearshift rotational speed within a target shifting time interval. When the rotational speed reaches the predetermined rotational speed, a front brake Fr/B is engaged to perform a fourth-to-fifth upshift, and the torque of the motor is controlled so as to engage the one-way clutch smoothly.