A hybrid vehicle includes a clutch on a power transmission path between a motor generator and a driving wheel. If the vehicle moves backward when the vehicle starts forward acceleration from standstill on an ascending slope, the charging level of the battery that is attributable to power generation by the motor generator due to the backward travel is compared with a current maximum charging power of the battery. If the charging level of the battery is greater, the quantity of slippage of the clutch is controlled according to the excess to lower the rotational speed of the motor generator, hence to lower the power generation. That enables an increase in the torque of the motor generator within the range in which the battery may be charged. Performance is thus improved during acceleration from standstill.