A method for carrying out a boosting mode of a drive unit (3), having at least one internal combustion engine (1) and at least one electric machine (2), of a vehicle (10), in which, in order to prepare the boosting mode, the internal combustion engine (1) is adjusted to an operating state with an increased acceleration potential, and in order to charge an energy accumulator (4) the electric machine (2) is adjusted to a generator mode. When a power demand which is increased compared to the current operating state of the drive unit (3) is present, the charging process is interrupted and at the same time the electric machine (2) is activated in order to increase the driving power of the drive unit (3), wherein the increased acceleration potential which is kept in reserve by the internal combustion engine (1) is utilized.