To prevent the occurrence of a shock at the time of the engagement of a clutch 20c in a drive unit for a vehicle that comprises the clutch 20c in a drive force transmission mechanism for coupling an electric motor 20a as a drive means and a drive wheel 21b, and transmits the drive force of the drive means 20a to the drive wheel 21b side via the engaged clutch 20c.

By engaging the clutch 20c, for driving the drive wheel 21b which is arranged in the drive force transmission mechanism for coupling the electric motor 20a and the drive wheel 21b in a drive force transmittable manner, after the elapse of a prescribed time from the drive start of the electric motor 20a, the revolution speed of the electric motor 20a and a wheel speed at the time of the engagement of the clutch 20c are almost synchronized, thus preventing the occurrence of the shock at the time of the engagement of the clutch 20c.