Abstract: An electric hybrid vehicle has an engine for driving a generator to supply electric power to a vehicle driving motor. The engine with a catalytic converter is operated when a charged condition of a battery for mainly supplying electric power to the motor is low. The engine is controlled to suppress the amount of intake air by controlling an air control valve for a predetermined time after starting of the engine. The amount of the intake air is then gradually increased until the engine generates a rating output. Therefore, the emission characteristics of the catalytic converter is largely improved.