An apparatus is provided for controlling a hybrid electric vehicle in which a rechargeable battery is discharged to drive an electric motor to cause the hybrid electric vehicle to travel, and the rechargeable battery is charged with regenerative electric power from the electric motor. The apparatus comprises a car navigation apparatus for outputting route information on a route to a destination of the vehicle including height information, and a control section for controlling charging and discharging of the rechargeable battery. The control section controls high discharge without power assist limit to the vehicle in the route before a downhill travel path of the route based on the route information output from the car navigation apparatus.