Drive apparatus for vehicle

A drive apparatus for a vehicle, the drive apparatus comprising:

• an engine;
• a first drive shaft for driving one of front and rear wheels of the vehicle;
• and
• a first drive unit including (i) a first electric motor, (ii) a second electric motor, (iii) a planetary gear device having a first rotary element, a second rotary element and a third rotary element that are rotatable about a first axis, (iv) a power transmission mechanism and (v) a brake mechanism configured to stop rotation of the first rotary element by being placed in an engaged state,
• wherein the engine and the first electric motor are connected to the first rotary element,
• wherein the second electric motor is disposed on the first axis and is connected to the second rotary element,
• wherein the first drive shaft is connected to the third rotary element,
• wherein the first electric motor is disposed on a second axis that is other than the first axis, and is connected to the first rotary element through the power transmission mechanism, and
• wherein the brake mechanism is provided on a rotary shaft which is rotatable about a rotary axis other than the first axis and which constitutes a part of the power transmission mechanism.