A variable voltage converter (VVC) is configured to provide bidirectional voltage boost and buck from an input side to an output side. A VVC can include a voltage control portion and a battery charging portion. When incorporated into an inverter system controller (ISC) for a hybrid electric vehicle, the VVC can be configured to charge a battery during both high and low ISC dc bus voltage conditions. A VVC can be configured to receive power from an ac power source through a plug coupled to the VVC via a soft start rectifier. Accordingly, the VVC with integrated battery charger can be used to charge a battery for a Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) from a standard ac electrical outlet.