In　order　to　improve　the　performance　of　permanent　magnet　synchronous　traction　motor　(PMSTM)　in　electric　vehicle　(EV)　drive,　a　novel　direct　torque　control　(DTC)　strategy　is　proposed.　Based　on　the　operating　mode　of　PMSTM,　zero　voltage　vectors　are　chosen　to　obtain　quick　dynamic　torque　response　and　reduce　inverter　switching　loss.　An　optimization　control　method　about　stator　flux　linkage　is　presented　to　improve　system　efficiency,　the　core　of　which　is　the　real-time　regulation　of　stator　flux　linkage　by　measuring　inverter　input　power.　Simulation　and　experimental　results　prove　the　proposed　strategy.