There is disclosed a controller for an electric vehicle that allows for securing a sufficient battery capacity and is able to substantially avoid giving an uncomfortable feeling to the crew even if an engine for power generation is started. The controller comprises a power generation control unit which makes a generator of the electric vehicle generate electric power by starting a generator-driving engine of the electric vehicle in the case that an SOC (state of charge) of a battery of the electric vehicle is equal to or less than a first value, and further makes the generator generate the electric power by starting the generator-driving engine in the case that the SOC of the battery is equal to or less than a second value larger than the first value and a predetermined condition is satisfied. Further, an electric vehicle provided with such a controller is also disclosed.