Inwheel motor had the advantages of compact structure, high transmission efficiency, flexible control and steering, etc. Electric vehicle driven by inwheel motor was an important development direction of new energy vehicle in the future. Permanent magnet synchronous motor was a better choice for inwheel drive motor because of its high efficiency, high power density and good reliability. The application situation of inwheel motor to electric vehicle at home and abroad was summarized, and the research and work of electromagnetic design optimization, control strategy, heat dissipation mode and structure of inwheel motor were introduced. Finally, the problems of inwheel motor in China were discussed, and the future development directions of inwheel motor were prospected.