Controller for hybrid electric vehicle and method for controlling hybrid electric vehicle

A controller for a hybrid electric vehicle, wherein the hybrid electric vehicle includes an engine, a motor arranged in a power transmission path between the engine and a drive wheel, and a clutch arranged in the power transmission path between the engine and the motor, the controller comprising:

• processing circuitry, wherein
• the processing circuitry is configured to idle the engine in accordance with a target engine rotation speed and operate the motor in accordance with a target motor rotation speed when the clutch is in a disengagement state, and
• when the clutch is in the disengagement state and the engine is idling, the target motor rotation speed is less than the target engine rotation speed.