An electric vehicle includes a malfunction detector configured to continuously monitor a torque command from an ECU as well as one of the followings: signals indicating a rotational frequency of a motor unit; signals indicating a rotational frequency of a wheel driven by the motor unit; signals indicating a rotational direction of the motor unit; signals indicating a rotational direction of the wheel driven by the motor unit; and a motor current, and detect, according to a predefined rule, a malfunction of the motor unit, based on the monitoring information. The electric vehicle also includes a malfunction-responsive controller configured to cause at least one of shut-off of a drive current to the motor unit and braking with a mechanical brake, if the malfunction detector detects a malfunction.