Controller and control method for hybrid vehicle

A method for controlling a hybrid vehicle, wherein

• the hybrid vehicle includes
• a spark-ignition internal combustion engine having a three-way catalyst device provided in an exhaust passage, and
• a motor capable of transmitting power to the internal combustion engine,
• the method comprises executing a catalyst temperature increase control of increasing a temperature of the three-way catalyst device, and
• executing the catalyst temperature increase control includes
• executing a motoring control of rotating a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine with the power of the motor in a state in which combustion of the internal combustion engine is stopped;
• and
• executing a fuel introduction process of introducing unburned air-fuel mixture into the exhaust passage by performing fuel injection in the internal combustion engine during the execution of the motoring control.

A controller configured to control a hybrid vehicle, wherein

• the hybrid vehicle includes
• a spark-ignition internal combustion engine having a three-way catalyst device provided in an exhaust passage, and
• a motor capable of transmitting power to the internal combustion engine, and
• the controller comprises processing circuitry configured to execute:
• a catalyst temperature increase control of increasing a temperature of the three-way catalyst device;
• a motoring control of rotating a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine with the power of the motor in a state in which combustion of the internal combustion engine is stopped;
• and
• a fuel introduction process of introducing unburned air-fuel mixture into the exhaust passage by performing fuel injection in the internal combustion engine during the execution of the motoring control.