A device for recovering electric energy in an AC motor-driven electric vehicle. The device includes a battery, a single-phase or three-phase inverter, a single-phase or three-phase inductor, an AC motor, a rectifier bridge or a second inverter, and a charger. The anode and the cathode of the battery are connected to input ends of the inverter, respectively. An output end of the inverter is connected to the AC motor via a primary coil of the inductor. An output end of a secondary coil of the single-phase or three-phase inductor is connected to an input end of the rectifier bridge or the second inverter. Output ends of the rectifier bridge are connected to the anode and the cathode of the battery, respectively. The charger is connected to the anode and the cathode of the battery for supplying power from an external power supply.