A normal map determines a carrier frequency used for switching control of
an inverter controlling driving of a motor generator, in accordance with
the state of operation of the motor generator in a normal operation. In a
stall state in which the driver is pressing both the accelerator pedal
and the brake pedal, the switching frequency is determined using an
element protection map, in place of the normal map. When the element
protection map is used, in the state of operation corresponding to the
stall state, the carrier frequency is set to a protection frequency lower
than a normal frequency. Therefore, in an electric vehicle having an
electric motor (motor generator) as a driving source for the vehicle, it
becomes possible to avoid temperature increase of a power semiconductor
device forming an electric power converter for controlling driving of the
electric motor.